Oyo Empire

Oyo came to power under the reign of Alafin Ajagbo in 1670. The Oyo Empire then lasted until the middle of the 19th century, when an internal civil war pitted the Oyo Muslims and Islamic traders against the traditional ruling house of Alafin Afonja, ultimately leaving a vacuum of power in Oyo. The people of Ibadan then conquered the territory that had once been under the power of Oyo.

Oyo is one of the oldest sites of the Yoruba peoples of southwestern Nigeria. During its imperial days, Oyo conquered Dahomey and controlled a territory larger than France. Oyo sold manufactured goods to Hausa and Fulani traders, who eventually had a large presence in the capital city of Oyo.

Oyo imported horses from the north, which were used in the kingdom of Oyo for military purposes, festivals, and state ceremonies and as status symbols. The horse appears early in Yoruba culture, but it is not entirely clear who introduced the animal to West Africa. However, the royal house of Oyo had an ancient practice of keeping horses long before Hausa [Page 394]traders came with horses from the north. Oranmiyan, an Ife prince, is said to have founded the royal dynasties of both Oyo and Benin and been the first to introduce horses to Oyo society.

Horses may have been used earlier for nonmilitary purposes, but evidence suggests that the the Oyo army may have begun using horses only during the 16th century. By the 17th century, Oyo had become a powerful military state under leaders such as Oranmiyan, Sango, Orompoto, Abiodun, and Awole. However, by 1836 the kingdom had spent its best days and would be succeeded by the vigorous government of Ibadan.