1st Term
YORUBA TRADITIONAL POLITICAL SYSTEM
Oduduwa
according to legend is the founding father of the Yoruba race. They first
settled at Ile-ife that is still believed to be the spiritual headquarters of
the Yoruba’s. Some of them later moved to Oyo, which became the headquarters.
Oduduwa gave birth to 7 sons, who became Oba’s in the 7 Yoruba kingdoms and at
that time they all regarded the Alaafin of Oyo as their overlord. After the
fall of Oyo Empire, and the Yoruba inter-tribal wars, The 7 former kingdoms
then broke down into 14 kingdoms.
Administration: The
Alaafin is the political and divine head of the empire, his ascension to the
throne is patrilineal. He runs the empire with the help of the council of 7
chiefs called the Oyomesi headed by the Bashorun; these chiefs are each in
charge of the 7 wards in the capital city of the empire. In practice the
Oyomesi takes decisions on not too important issues and pass their decisions to
the Alaafin who makes a pronouncement based on the decision of the Oyomesi,
while decisions on controversial or very important issues are made by the
Alaafin in council session with the Oyomesi. Decisions are implemented by the
chiefs using the age grade or the army. Very important towns in the empire are
governed directly by the Alaafin while less important towns or far away ones
were headed by an Oba or Baale who owes allegiance to the Alaafin and pays annual
tribute to the Alaafin. These Obas also have their own cabinet made up of
chiefs who assist in the running of their domain and the maintenance of law and
order.
The
Alaafin and his council of chiefs enact laws and amend old ones for the good
governance of the people of the empire. So Obas and Baales in other towns in
the empire have powers to enact legislations for the effective and good
governance of their people. The Alaafin and his council of chiefs also took
decisions pertaining to the waging of war.
Judiciary:The
Alaafin in council adjudicates on rare offences like murder, treason, arson and
armed robbery, while chiefs have competence over less serious offences
emanating from their domain. So also Obas and Baales in other towns in the
empire have competence over minor and routine offences committed in their
domain while serious ones were referred to the Alaafin.
Checks and balance: As
already stated the Alaafin is a supreme leader as such his pronouncements are
absolutely binding on his subjects, but due to his sacred position, he seldom
appear in public and as such the implementation of his decisions are done by
his chiefs using the age grade or Ogboni cult as such when he becomes
autocratic his order may not be carried out by the chiefs. This serves as a
check on his powers, as such most decisions are taken after due consultation
with the chiefs. If the Alaafin becomes unpopular apart from not carrying out
his orders, the chiefs may refuse to visit his palace and also refuse to carry
out ceremonial and religious functions.
The
Ogboni cult, headed by the Olowu acts as a check on the powers of the chiefs
and the Alaafin. From the above explanation it would seem that chiefs are very
powerful, but in practice the Alaafin is a very powerful monarch with affluence
that enables him to maintain an army of bodyguards who could enforce his wish
for him. So also if the Alaafin becomes unpopular the council of chiefs may
cause an empty calabash to be sent to him signifying the fact that he has to
commit suicide, but the irony of this is that one of the chiefs “Osi efa” has
to die with the Alaafin.
Military: Oyo Empire has a powerful standing army headed
by the Aare Onakakanfo, who his expected to commit suicide if the army suffers
an inglorious defeat. The army was the backbone of the empire.
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