21-FACT ABOUT THE ALAAFIN OF OYO HRM ALAYELUWA OBA LAMIDI ADEYEMI III

His Royal Majesty Alayeluwa Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III (Iku Baba Yeye),
Alaafin of Oyo is the Permanent Chairman, Oyo State Council of Traditional Rulers. A former
insurance executive, he became the 43rd Alaafin of Oyo in 1970. A well-learned man and a
custodian of the Yoruba culture, he attended St Gregory’s College Lagos 1954-59 and remains
one of the most influential monarchs in Nigeria. According to legend, the tribal marks on his face
are exactly the type on the face of his father, Adeyemi II and his grandfather, Adeyemi I. Special
care was taken in etching the tribal marks, as far as length, width, depth and symmetry are
concerned. This special tribal mark is called Abaja Alaafin Mefa Mefa. Who says Nigerians are
not rich in culture. According to the official Alaafin of Oyo website, the following are the Royal
Emblems of the Alaafin:
The Sekere (traditional percussion instrument) – originated from Oyo.
The Lion – symbolises the fearless nature of the Oyos.
The Tortoise (Ijapa) – the royal pet, symbolises longetivity and reselience
The Bata or Sango drum – is associated with Sango, the deified 3rd Alaafin of Oyo who is
worshiped as the god of Thunder and Lightning
The equestrian figure (the warrior on horseback) – symbolises the military expansion of the Oyo
Empire through the use of cavalry (horsemen) from the 14th to the 17th century.

2-According to him, the Old Oyo Empire existed without break for 600 years. That’s quite
impressive, you know. Especially when you realize that many of the most popular empires, like
the famed British Empire, did not last half of that.

3-He was born on 15th October, 1938, and that makes his 76years old. He was selected among
other contestants to become king in 1968 but the government of the day refused and he was not
crowned until January 1971, he was working as an insurance clerk then.

4-Aláàfin means one who owns the palace, aáfin. It can also mean Lord of the Palace, as it is from
the aafin that he lords his authority over his people.

5- In times past, the Alaafin was an absolute ruler. Other names for the Aláàfin include Kábíyèsí
(the King No One Can Question) Iku Baba Yeye (One Who Can Command Death or Pronounce It
Upon His Father or Mother Or He Who Is Mother & Father To Death), Alashe (He Who Possesses
Authority), Ekeji Orisha (Second-in-Command to the gods) NB: Translations can vary slightly.

6-Whoever enters the king’s courtyard must remove the shoes. Everyone except the Alaafin must
have bare feet in his greeting courtyard.

7-The Kabiyesi’s eldest daughter is name Arewa, meaning The Beautiful One in Yoruba.

8-He contested with 10 other people for the position of the Alaafin. The contest started in 1968
and did not end until 1970. That’s around the time of the Nigerian Civil War. He was declared
winner three times but the government initially rejected the ruling of the Oyomesi on all the three
occasions. The Oyomesi advises the Alaafin and is the highest decision-making body in the
kingdom.

9-He is a boxer, and was a champion in those days (he still has his punching bag in the courtyard)
and his favorite meals are amala (yam flour), iyan (pounded yam), abula soup and ogi (pap).

10-In terms of religion, he is a practising Muslim but describes himself as being liberal and a free
mixer who was raised up in a strict Christian home and also went to a Catholic school.

11-He has a pond in the palace where he keeps gold fish, and there is also a tortoise in the
courtyard said to be hundreds of years old.

12-The Alaafin is said to communicate with the deities like Sango (the god of thunder) in their
own language.

13-His own father, Adéníran Adéyemí II was the Alaafin for 10 years (1945-1955) until he was
forced into exile by the political party of Chief Obáfémi Awólówò, the Action Group in 1956.
While his father was on exile, he was sent to live with the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oladapo
Ademola, the father of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Adetokunbo Ademola.

14-He was the first Yoruba monarch to become the Chancellor of Uthman Dan Fodio University,
Sokoto.

15-There are 24 seats in the royal chamber of his Palace, 12 on each side..

16-. He is a recipient of a national honour, the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic
(CFR). He installed the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO) as the last
Aare Ona Kakanfo (Field Marshal or Generalissimo) of Yorubaland on 14th January, 1988 and
also the talented singer, Queen Salawa Abeni whom he crowned the Queen of Waka Music (the
Golden Voice of Africa) in 1992. Both truly deserve the honours (I’m actually listening to
Salawa’s Cheer Up writing this…lol!) He is the 43rd Alaafin of Oyo. Alaafins are buried at the
Royal Burial Ground called the BARA.

17-On Sunday 31st August,2014, Alaafin marked his 76th birthday in fun-fare in London and 43rd
on the throne of his fore-fathers.

18- His best meal in the morning is pap. He became a king in his mid-30s and till date, he still
keeps that habit. He likes amala and gbegiri (bean soup) for lunch. He takes herbal medicines and
he does not eat outside.

19-They call him Iku baba yeye alase ekeji orisa, meaning the next to the ancestors.

20-The Alaafin is the custodian of the Yoruba heritage.

21-As the most prominent traditional ruler in Yoruba land and the Diaspora, the Alaafin in history,
had never been known to be silent when it was important for him to talk, in other words, the
Alaafin had never been known to deprive mankind of his wise counselling with necessary
admonition whenever it is important to do so.