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Old Oyo
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Old Oyo
Old Oyo, also known as Oyo-Ile, Katunga, Oyo-Oro, and Eyo is the site of a ruined medieval city that was once the capital of the Oyo Empire in what is now modern-day Nigeria. It has been abandoned since 1835.
It was a major cultural and political center of West Africa during the empire's height. Established by Yoruba groups migrating from the city of Ile-Ife, the city was the seat of authority for the Alaafin, or custodian/keeper of the palace which was called the Aafin. As the capital of a major state during the 17th and 18th centuries, the city is also the site of large markets such as the Akesan market, which was recreated in the later city of New Oyo. Archaeology has been conducted at this site for over four decades. The area designated as Old Oyo is nearly 3,000 hectares.
According to The History of the Yorubas, the Oyo-Ile kingdom's founder was Oranmiyan. The Afin, the large palace complex, is a Yoruba tradition, while the sprawling market area signifies the role that mercantilism played in the maintenance and central focus of the Oyo empire. The Alaafin ('owner of the palace') was both ruler and judge for their people.
By the 1830s the Oyo Empire, once the most powerful state in the region, had weakened dramatically at the expense of the rising Ilorin Emirate. Oluewu, Alaafin of Oyo, tried to restore his dynasty's prestige, but was defeated and killed at the Battle of Ilorin.
During the Alaafin's absence Lanloke, chief of Ogodo, had attacked the city but been repulsed. When news of the disaster outside Ilorin arrived, he attacked again but was again unsuccessful. The citizens of the city, however, understood that they could not hold out. Nearly all of them packed their bags and fled the city, leaving it abandoned. The Oyo royal family and many nobles fled southward to establish a new capital at Oyo Atiba (New Oyo). Other refugees went to Kihisi, Igboho or even Ilorin. Some were able to make multiple return trips to the city to collect their belongings. Eventually Lanloke returned a third time, plundered what little wealth remained, and left the city in ruins. Ilorin gained control of the territory.
After its abandonment, Oyo-Ile never returned to city status. Over a century later, it was declared a game reserve and, later, a national park.
The feasibility of Old Oyo as a center for tourism has been studied.
According to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Old Oyo historical site is located at the coordinates 8°56'-9° 03' North 4°20'- 4°26'East.[citation needed]
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Old Oyo AI simulator
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Old Oyo
Old Oyo, also known as Oyo-Ile, Katunga, Oyo-Oro, and Eyo is the site of a ruined medieval city that was once the capital of the Oyo Empire in what is now modern-day Nigeria. It has been abandoned since 1835.
It was a major cultural and political center of West Africa during the empire's height. Established by Yoruba groups migrating from the city of Ile-Ife, the city was the seat of authority for the Alaafin, or custodian/keeper of the palace which was called the Aafin. As the capital of a major state during the 17th and 18th centuries, the city is also the site of large markets such as the Akesan market, which was recreated in the later city of New Oyo. Archaeology has been conducted at this site for over four decades. The area designated as Old Oyo is nearly 3,000 hectares.
According to The History of the Yorubas, the Oyo-Ile kingdom's founder was Oranmiyan. The Afin, the large palace complex, is a Yoruba tradition, while the sprawling market area signifies the role that mercantilism played in the maintenance and central focus of the Oyo empire. The Alaafin ('owner of the palace') was both ruler and judge for their people.
By the 1830s the Oyo Empire, once the most powerful state in the region, had weakened dramatically at the expense of the rising Ilorin Emirate. Oluewu, Alaafin of Oyo, tried to restore his dynasty's prestige, but was defeated and killed at the Battle of Ilorin.
During the Alaafin's absence Lanloke, chief of Ogodo, had attacked the city but been repulsed. When news of the disaster outside Ilorin arrived, he attacked again but was again unsuccessful. The citizens of the city, however, understood that they could not hold out. Nearly all of them packed their bags and fled the city, leaving it abandoned. The Oyo royal family and many nobles fled southward to establish a new capital at Oyo Atiba (New Oyo). Other refugees went to Kihisi, Igboho or even Ilorin. Some were able to make multiple return trips to the city to collect their belongings. Eventually Lanloke returned a third time, plundered what little wealth remained, and left the city in ruins. Ilorin gained control of the territory.
After its abandonment, Oyo-Ile never returned to city status. Over a century later, it was declared a game reserve and, later, a national park.
The feasibility of Old Oyo as a center for tourism has been studied.
According to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Old Oyo historical site is located at the coordinates 8°56'-9° 03' North 4°20'- 4°26'East.[citation needed]
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