Residents and people of ancient Oyo town could not hide their joy and ecstasy yesterday when the Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Owoade, moved into the ancient Oyo palace located at Oke Afin area of Oyo town.
Prior to his emergence as the Alaafin, the ancient palace was in ruins and empty, as all the facilities inside it were not only vandalised, but structures in the edifice were also in dire need of rehabilitation and reconstruction.
But soon after he ascended the throne, Oba
Owoade began the task of rehabilitating part of the ancient palace, thus preserving the tangible Yoruba cultural heritage.
The rehabilitation works were supervised by the Personal Assistant to the Alaafin, Reverend Dr. Kolade Oladele.
After the renovation, the palace’s structures- bold, sturdy and resilient as they stand- are radiating their timeless beauty and charm through well-structured layouts, carefully crafted columns, windows and doors, bearing the artistic patterns and imprints of the ancient Oyo art.
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Almost all the houses have courtyards, while the finer and stronger looking structures have more than one courtyard.
Each of the courtyards is surrounded by rooms, which open into the courtyard.
Alaafin’s Director or Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, confirming the development, said a visit to the ancient palace would convince one that it was indeed a store-house of Yoruba culture and tradition.
He said: “The palace is adorned with works of arts, various forms of sculptures that include the carved wooden house posts and door panels, which are the traditional status symbol of wealth and royalty.
“Modern figures of lions and hunters are made from mortals, while walls are decorated with mosaics and painted murals, depicting scenes from life, as the decorated calabash and imaginary beings.
“The traditional architectural designs are superb and second to none among ancient palaces in the country, as attested to it by tourism experts from different countries across the world who visited it.
“Investigation further revealed that the Alaafin’s palace is the largest, as it has in it over 200 buildings.
“There are also fountains in the court yard and garden.
“The Alaafin’s palace is unique in Nigerian culture, particularly within the Yoruba ethnic group. It is the traditional seat of the Alaafin, regarded as the Superior Ruler of the Oyo Empire, one of the most powerful and influential empires in West Africa’s history.
“The palace itself symbolises the might and sophistication of the Oyo Empire, which, at its height, controlled vast territories and played a central role in the region’s politics, trade and cultural life.
“Visitors to Alaafin’s palace are often struck by the stunning artistry that adorns the palace walls, from the elaborate carvings and murals depicting historical events to the rich tapestries and artefacts telling the story of the Oyo people.
“The palace is also a centre for traditional festivals, ceremonies and rituals, which continue to draw people from all over the country and beyond.”
The Nation, however, reports that residents are in high spirits, as they troop out to give a befitting welcome to their monarch, as he steps into the ‘Citadel of Yoruba race’, with singing, drumming, dancing and chanting.
A trader, who simply identified himself as Kolapo, said: “The people, both young and old, love and admire their king as a serious-minded paramount ruler, a leader of thought and a man of excellence for his unflinching commitment to development, peace, unity and mutual co-existence not only in the kingdom, but also the entire Yoruba race.
“They draw their inference from the fact that Alaafin focuses on promoting unity among the Yoruba, a stance that positions him as a unifying and stabilising force within Yorubaland.
“One thing about Oyo is that we are ready to protect our history and traditions, no matter what it takes or costs, more so when that’s the only palace where archival materials, documents and other artifacts can be accessed in record time.
“Because of the efforts of our forefathers, documentation of its past, either favourable or otherwise, are well preserved to date.”
Another excited resident, Kamoru Ashipa, who could not hide the admiration for the new edifice, said: “The Alaafin’s palace is not just a historical site; it is also a living museum that offers a glimpse into the grandeur and complexity of Yoruba culture.
“The palace complex is an architectural masterpiece featuring courtyards, halls and shrines that have been meticulously maintained over centuries.
“Each section of the palace is imbued with cultural significance, from the Ile Orun, where the Alaafin’s ancestors are honoured, to the Oju Oba, where the king holds court and meets with his subjects.”
