Many
people believe Ile-Ife began when Oduduwa arrived, but historical and archaeological evidence shows the story is much deeper than that.
Before Oduduwa: Life in Ancient Ife
Before there was one king or a central kingdom, the area now known as Ile-Ife was home to multiple independent communities. Archaeological excavations in places like Ita Yemoo, Orun Oba Ado, and Igbo Olokun have revealed evidence of early urban life dating back to the 9th century CE — well before any centralized monarchy.
Who Proves This?
• Prof. Akinwumi Ogundiran (University of North Carolina), in his book The Yoruba: A New History, shows that early Ife was made up of scattered settlements that gradually evolved into a complex urban society.
• Prof. Adisa Ogunfolakan, a renowned archaeologist and Director at the Museum of Natural History, Obafemi Awolowo University, has confirmed that iron smelting, pottery, and sacred rituals were already well-developed in Ife before the emergence of the Oduduwa tradition.
• The famous Ita Yemoo site, excavated by British archaeologist Frank Willett, uncovered advanced terracotta and bronze works dating back to between the 11th and 14th centuries, pointing to a high level of artistic and political sophistication.
So, Where Does Oduduwa Come In?
Around the 12th century, a political and religious movement began — led by a figure known in tradition as Oduduwa. Oral histories suggest he came “from the East,” but scholars argue this was likely a symbolic migration, possibly referring to a shift in power or a new ruling group.
Oduduwa didn’t build Ile-Ife from scratch. He likely united already existing communities like:
• Parakin
• Iloran
• Ita Yemoo
• Iwinrin
• Modakeke (then known as Oke Oja)
• and others
The unification wasn’t a single event. It happened over several decades through a mix of alliances, diplomacy, religious reform, and conflict resolution.
Ile-Ife Becomes a Power Center
By the 14th century, Ile-Ife had transformed into:
• A centralized city-state
• The spiritual capital of the Yoruba world
• A center of art, innovation, and religious authority
Final Word
The story of Ile-Ife is not just about one man. It’s about a civilization that evolved over centuries, built by ordinary people, priests, artisans, farmers, and leaders long before and after Oduduwa.
Knowing this helps us understand Yoruba identity not just as myth, but as a real, dynamic history rooted in African achievement.
