Rise and descent

My Oyo Empire was founded in 1300 A.D, we had favourable trading conditions ,natural resources, fertile farmlands, and the industry of inhabitants were all good and well until difficulties had risen. It had begun from simply city of Oyo and traded with it's neighbours as well as Spain and Portugal; the Empire had great military wealth and skill , having control over other Yoruba states and the Fon Kingdom of Dahomey.

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Early in the sixteenth century Oyo was a minor state, with little power against its northern neighbours. The state was led by Oranmiyan, the founder-king or first Alaafin[1] of Oyo, who gained his position based on a strong reputation as a military leader who waged an excursion heading towards the North-east. He was stopped by the empires of Borgu and Nupe before settling at a site known as Ajaka. Oyo's earlier attempts at expansion were met with resistance, culminating in its being conquered by neighbouring Nupe around 1550. When conquered by Nupe, the king (Alaafin) of Oyo and his senior chiefs sought refuge in Borgu, but soon returned to Oyo.

The power of Oyo began to grow by the second half of the century, when the alafin Orompoto began using the wealth derived from trade to establish a cavalry force and to maintain a trained army. In addition to militaristic expansion, the Oyo empire expanded based on its convenient trade location and ability to manipulate the markets. Located just south of the Middle Niger River the Oyo Empire was a prime position from which to control the prominent West African trade routes to Hausaland, Gao, Timbuktu, and Jenne, and flood those areas with significant amounts of Oyo textiles that were always a precious commodity, as well as with iron goods.

From 1650 onward, the Oyo Empire entered a period of expansion, where it would extend its rule over most communities between the Volta River in the west to Benin and the Niger River in the east. The expansion of the Empire was made possible by the adept use of calvary and the use of part-time military forces recruited from its tributary states.

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Before my existence had come into play it was written into the books of fate that dark times were to enter into the lives of the people of the Empire. It is rather great is it not; nevertheless, I am not one who is omnipotent neither will I act like such a being.

It was the increase of Oyo's wealth that had brought conflict among the political leaders; some desired to use the wealth for territorial expansion while others believed it best to use the wealth to grow the wealth even more. A bitter civil war took place during the reign of Alaafin Abiodun, who after defeating his opponents pursued a policy of economic development based primarily on the coastal trade with European merchants. His sole focus on the economy weakened the neglected military, causing, in effect a weakening of the central government.

Dissension within the Oyo community weakened the empire further. The empire had experienced extensive expansion, which overtaxed the weakened governing system. Revolt in the provinces required a strong administration, which was non-existent by the end of the eighteenth century, due to its internal dissension.

Toward the end of the eighteenth century, rivalries began to develop between the Alaafin and and the Afonja, or chief military commander of the provincial army. In the Afonja's struggle for power, he incited Hausa slaves to rise up against their masters and join his military forces. With his army of former slaves, the Afonja began a series of wars with the northern sections of Oyo. He based his operations out of Ilorin, elevating the status of the city to a political stronghold. The series of attacks led by the Afonja resulted in chaos and political instability in Old Oyo, developments that marked the beginning of the decline of the Oyo empire. Ilorin was soon joined by other vassal states, who followed Ilorin's examples and rebelled against the political authority of the Oyo empire.

In the hope of securing the support of Yoruba Muslims and volunteers from the Hausa-Fulani north, Afonja had enlisted an itinerant Fulani scholar of Islam, Alim al-Salih, to his cause. The recruitment of Alim al-Salih, added to furthering the cause of the Afonja even after his death, eventually leading to the razing of Oyo-Ile by the Islamic Fulani Empire in 1835, once Afonja had himself been killed by Fulani.

After the destruction of Oyo-Ile, the capital was moved further south to Ago d'Oyo, accompanied with a shift of Yoruba power to Ibadan, a settlement of war commanders. Oyo never regained its prominence in the region and became a protectorate of Great Britain in 1888.

Not to confuse those those who read this fine tale but it is those few months before the razing of Oyo-Ile that this fine tale of I, Apara Adetope a 16 year old boy begins his tale of how I conquered all.

Do not worry for this is where my true story starts.

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[1] : The Alaafin is the political head of the Yoruba people and the only monarch with the pre-requisite power to appoint a chieftain representing the entire Yorubaland.

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