On Saturday, January 13, the Yoruba race witnessed the installation of the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo 20 years after the death of the last holder of the title, the late Chief MKO Abiola. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU and YINKA ADENIRAN report that the event was a platform to demonstrate Yoruba unity and rich cultural heritage of the people.
Aare Ona Kakanfo as a title
Historically, the title of Are Ona Kakanfo was created to check the excesses and frequent incursions of Ibaribas into Yoruba territories.
In the 16th Century, the Ibaribas used to terrorise the Yoruba nation and, when the then Alaafin realised the enormous nature of the problem, he created the title of the Aare Ona Kakanfo, with the sole duty of watching over the homeland with the help of assistant commanders who had a special army.
History behind the title
Tracing the history of the Aare Ona Kakanfo, a retired Archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Ayo Ladigbolu explained that the position of the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land by “antecedent is not for the highest bidder because it is a position which comes with sound mind and spiritual profundity reserved only for a person of substance who has fought for the interest of Yoruba race.
“The title can be traced back to the Old Oyo Empire. Oyo Empire was a Yoruba Empire of what is today Western and North-central Nigeria. Established in the 15th Century, the Oyo Empire grew to become one of the largest West African states. It rose through the outstanding organisational and administrative skills of the Yoruba people and wealth gained from trade.
“By structure, Oyo Empire has the Aare Ona Kankanfo in charge of the security of the empire. He is the generalissimo of all armies in Yoruba land, who was charged with the responsibility of protecting the empire against external attacks.
“Specifically, the creation of the title of Aare Ona Kakanfo was the direct consequence of the ideas of a former ruler of Old Oyo Empire, Alaafin Ajagbo, who reigned in the 1600s. His predecessors; from Ajaka, who succeeded Sango (the god of thunder), to Aganju, Kori, Oluaso, Onigbogi, Eguguojo, and Orompoto to Abipa and Obalokun, all suffered incessant attacks by neighbouring states.
“Aare Ona Kakanfo Ajagbo had a twin brother, Ajampati, and like the Biblical Jacob and Esau, Ajagbo was an outdoorsman, while Ajampati preferred the comforts of the royal court. As a result, Ajagbo, as a prince, was part of many military expeditions to keep invaders at bay, and grew up a warrior. He nurtured ideas on how best to deal with military aggression against his kingdom-state.
“One of the direct results of his ideas, when he became Alaafin, was the creation of the office and title of Aare Ona Kakanfo, meaning Field Marshal, or Generalissimo of the Alaafin’s armies. He then appointed one of his close friends, Kokoro Gangan from Iwoye as the first Kakanfo. He was described as a skilled tactician.”
The choice of Otunba Gani Adams
It was discovered that not a few people applied for the position against the belief that the office of the Yoruba warlord was anything enticing. But the leader of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) beat other aspirants and applicants to clinch the office.
According to Archbishop Ladigbolu, various applicants from different parts of the Yoruba race worldwide showed interest but there could not have been a better candidate than Gani Adams.
The retired cleric noted that Oba Lamidi Adeyemi made the right choice by pronouncing Adams as the new Aare, 20 years after the death of the last holder of the title, the late Chief MKO Abiola, who died on July 7, 1998.
He pointed out that the intelligence and wisdom of the forefathers gave the prerogative, right and power to the Alaafin of Oyo to appoint and choose an Aare Ona Kakanfo out of the many people who might be desirous of the position.
He said: “There were many people who wanted the position. People from different parts of Yoruba land applied for the position, mostly men from the high, low and middle-class of the society. But when the Alaafin was ready, he made a choice which everyone agreed was a right choice.”
Alaafin proclaimed Gani Adams the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo-designate on October 15, last year. Many also believed that, despite his unknown background, Gani, who was seemingly nobody, developed himself and became what he is today.
Justifying his decision, the Alaafin who explained the qualities he considered before making the choice said: “Gani Adams is very courageous and he has the interest of Yoruba race at heart. Gani Adams was a very young man when some Yoruba leaders decided to establish the OPC. As a result of his courage, he was chosen as the leader of the group and he has held the position creditably well.
Gani Adams deserves the title of the Are Ona Kakanfo that I as the Alaafin conferred on him.”
Seclusion and Investiture
The procedures and conventions instituted by Ajagbo and nurtured by succeeding Alaafins were probably responsible for the mystiques surrounding the office and title. At installation, the major rite that must be performed is the administering of 201 incisions on the Kakanfo-designate. The incision is called gbere in Yoruba. They are chiefly tiny cuts made with a razor, from the forehead backwards to the waist.
Each of the 201 incisions is rubbed with 201 different herbal preparations expected to take the courage and bravery of the Kakanfo to super-human levels. After the incisions, the Kakanfo is “crowned” with a specially-made headdress, that only him wears. It is called the Ojijiko in Yoruba.
Ceremonial Installation
After being held in seclusion for three days, the new Generalissimo was, at a well-attended event, presented with the insignia and apparatus of of fice in full public glare at the Durbar Stadium in the ancient town of Oyo.
Observers believe the event held up to its expectation as a celebration of Yoruba diverse cultural heritage. Yoruba from both far and near were in full attendance at the history-making event. Many traditional troupes, dancers, drummers were on hand with musical instruments and outfits to thrill the audience. Different masquerades, performers and varieties of entertainers were not in short supply.
Sealing the investiture process, 14 different calabashes, representing each of the past holders of the title, were arranged at the centre of the expansive field where the incumbent was led to appease and pray before stepping into their shoes.
The glamorous event got another surprise when the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the new Aare Ona Kakanfo stormed the venue on a four-wheeled horse chariot at exactly 12.55 p.m. Their arrival threw the crowd into ecstasy, as many left their seats to have a glimpse of the chariot.
Decked in white flowing agbada and a traditional white cap to match, Chief Adams sat in front while the Alaafin took the back seat of the chariot. The chariot was followed by a convoy of vehicles amid chanting of Iku Baba Yeye from the crowd who followed them.
The week-long programme, which commenced on Wednesday expectedly, was witnessed by a large crowd of enthusiast and lovers of culture with thick vehicular movement into the ancient town.
As early as 7:00 a.m., most of the major roads in the town had become difficult to access due to heavy traffic of guests trooping into town to witness the making and installation of the 15th Generalissimo of Yoruba land.
Security and safety operatives were also on hand in their good numbers. Men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Directorate of State Security (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Nigeria Peace Corps, some in uniform and others in plain clothes, had taxing day controlling traffic and working to ensure peace within and around the event venue. There were scores of security operatives screening guests at the entrance of the venue of the event.
Some guests experienced exhaustion at the narrow entrance gate to the stadium as they struggled to gain entry, while others were stampeded, losing some of their valuables in the process.
As a mark of honour and respect, major shops, business areas and markets in the ancient town were shut, while residents trooped out in large numbers to witness the installation ceremony.
Dignitaries advise the new Generalissimo
Some dignitaries spoke in their separate remarks while addressing reporters on the task before Adams.
Alao-Akala said Adams has been performing the role of Aare Ona Kakanfo before his installation as the 15th Aara Ona Kakanfo and that the Alaafin has made the right choice.
In his remarks, Mimiko noted that Adams has always displayed quintessential patriotism, which distinguished him from the pack.
Also, Senator Summonu congratulated the Alaafin on the occasion and his choice of Adams expressed optimism that the new Generalissimo would use his position to support Federal Government’s efforts on enthronement of national peace and unity.
The spokesperson of Afenifere Socio-Cultural Group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin said Adams deserved the choice as the 15th Kakanfo. He described him as a quintessential leader, who displayed a high-level commitment to the promotion and protection of Yoruba cultural heritage.
The challenges and task before Gani Adams
Just like many people had advised him before his installation, the newly installed 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo, vowed to use his new office to foster the unity and peace of the entire Yoruba race, even as he solicited the support of all Yoruba worldwide with particular request to the governors from all Yoruba states to see him as a partner in progress.
He spoke while giving his acceptance speech shortly after he was presented with the staff and insignia of office as the Generalissimo of Yoruba land.
Noting that the title bestowed on him is a big challenge, Adams promised to live up to the call by working with all traditional rulers and leaders to project the Yoruba culture to the world positively. also added that the race is already losing many of its values and cultures to other foreign cultures.
Considering himself lucky not to have come at a time of many wars like his predecessors, Adams said the challenge will be more of a bridge builder.
