Egba Gbagura

Egba Gbagura is one of the five sections of Egbaland, the others being Ake, Oke-Ona, the Owu and Ibara (historically, Ibara is part of Yewa (Egbado), not Egba, although it is located in the present day Abeokuta geographically). It is a traditional state which joins with its bordering sections to form something of a high kingship.

Ẹ̀gbá Gbágùrá
Traditional state
Ẹ̀gbá Gbágùrá
Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 7°9′39″N 3°20′54″E
Country Nigeria
StateOgun State

The Agura of Gbagura is the traditional ruler of this subsection of the Egba, and under his jurisdiction are the rulers of the 72 townships that each bear the title Baale. Though the Agura is technically in equal power to the Alake, ever since the colonial era the Alake has been considered to be the supreme leader of all of Egbaland, not just the Ake section.

History

The Egba people's original homeland in the Egba forest was established by Yoruba migrants from elsewhere. According to The History of the Yorubas by Samuel Johnson, Eso Ikoyi chiefs in the retinue of the first Alake of the Egbas joined him in founding a new community - the confederacy of towns that became known as Orile Egba - in the forest after they left the nascent Oyo empire in around the 13th century AD.[1] Orile Egba continued to exist until its destruction during the Yoruba civil war of the 19th century.

The Egba people originally lived in the Oyo Empire until an Egba, Lisabi, organized a revolt against the Alaafin of the Oyo Empire. Lisabi is therefore considered the father of the Egba people.[2]

Abeokuta was founded as a replacement for Orile Egba in around 1830 by the Egbas after the collapse of the Oyo empire during the civil war. The city was founded because of its strong defensive physical position by refugees trying to protect themselves against slave raiders from Dahomey, who were trying to benefit from the war. The Gbagura people were specifically lead to Abeokuta by Balogun Ojo of Gbagura.[3]

The Egba Gbagura, along with the other 4 groups who founded Abeokuta, avoided crowning kings until 1870. This was when the Gbagura appointed Jamolu as the first Agura of Gbagura. The Gbagura section of Nigeria originally included 144 townships scattered all over Yorubaland stretching all the way to modern day Ibadan. 72 of these towns rebelled against the allegiance of the Agura and later joined the Oke-Ona section of Egba.[4] Towns under the jurisdiction of the Gbagura include Wasinmi, Iddo, Ilugun, Ilawo, and others. Each township brings a chief which serves alongside the Agura and the rest of the kings of Egbaland, and in the Ogboni of Egbaland, the supreme legislative council of chiefs. The township of Iddo is the only township that can produce an Agura. The village of Wasinmi produces the Odafin of Gbagura Egbaland, a member of the Ogboni. [5]

The history of all the Egba also include many wars fought with neighboring people and kingdoms. In 1832, Abeokuta was involved in war with the people of Ijebu Remo, and in 1834 with the Ibadan people. Sporadic fighting continued with the people of Ota (1842), Ado (1844), Ibarapa (1849), Dahomey (1851), Ijebu-Ere (1851), Ijaye (1860–1862) and the Makun War of 1862–1864.[6] The Dahomeans were long time enemies of the Egba and Dahomey attempted to conquer Egbaland up to 4 times but they were unsuccessful.[7] The Egba success is attributed to the legendary Olumo rock, which towers Abeokuta. In fact, the name Abẹokuta literally means "under the rock," abẹ meaning under and okuta meaning rock or stone. It is said the Egba hid under the rock and use it as an advantage point when fighting. [8] On 18 January 1893, a treaty was signed with the governor and commander-in-chief of the British Lagos Colony for the purpose of trade; the British recognized Egbaland as an independent state. In 1898, the Egba United Government was formed.

In 1904, an agreement was made where the British assumed jurisdiction in certain legal cases, and in the same year, the Alake Gbadebo paid a state visit to England. Over the following years, the British steadily assumed more responsibility for administration while continuing to formally recognize the Egba state.[9] In 1914, the kingdom was incorporated into the newly amalgamated British Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.[10]

Rulers

Rulers of the Egba Gbagura in Abeokuta, who took the title "Agura" in 1870[11]

There are 2 ruling houses in Gbagura, Ajiboso and Egiri. The Agura answers only to the Alake of Egbaland and is third in power behind the Ake and Oke-Ona Egba.

StartEndRuler
18701877Oba Jamolu (Egiri ruling house)
18791897Oba Ijaade (Egiri ruling house)
18971910Oba Olubunmi (Ajiboso ruling house)
19101915Oba Abolade (Egiri ruling house)
19151936Oba Adeosun I (Egiri ruling house)
19361960Oba Sobekun I (Ajiboso ruling house)
19611978Oba Rauf Adeosun II (Egiri ruling house)
198012 Jul 2018Oba Halidu Laloko Sobekun II (Ajiboso ruling house)
12 May 2019Oba Saburee Babajide Isola Bakre Jamolu II (Egiri ruling house)[12]

Notable members of the Egba Gbagura community

References
  1. Johnson 1921.
  2. https://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2014/08/egba-people-yoruba-sub-tribe-of-freedom.html
  3. https://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2014/08/egba-people-yoruba-sub-tribe-of-freedom.html
  4. http://www.lisabieliteassociationhouston.org/index.php/history-of-egba-land/egba-agura
  5. https://thegatewaypeople.com/why-five-kingmakers-selected-new-agura-mustapha
  6. "History of Abeokuta". Egba United Society. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  7. https://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2014/08/egba-people-yoruba-sub-tribe-of-freedom.html
  8. https://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2014/08/egba-people-yoruba-sub-tribe-of-freedom.html
  9. "Egba: Some Historical Facts" (PDF). Egba-Yewa Descendants Association Washington, DC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  10. "Egba Historical Facts". Egba-Yewa Descendants Association Washington, DC. Archived from the original on 28 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
  11. "Traditional States of Nigeria". WorldStatesmen.org. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  12. {{cite web |url=https://gatewayreporters.com/behold-bakre-customs-officer-is-9th-agura-of-gbagura/ |title=Behold Bakare customs officer is 9th Agura of Gbagura |date= May 2019 |work= Gateway reporters
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