Orangun

Orangun or Ọ̀ràngún is the title of the paramount ruler of the Yoruba kingdoms of Oke-Ila, Ila and their ancient (originally united) kingdom of Ila-Yara of northeastern Yorubaland, presently in southwestern Nigeria.

History

According to Yoruba oral history, the first Òràngún was the fourth son of Odùduwà, the mythical ancestor of the Yoruba, who was king at Ile-Ife in ancient times. Odùduwà’s fourth son was named Fagbamila and nicknamed Òràngún. The nickname is a contraction of Ọ̀ràn mí gún, meaning "my situation is perfect", although an alternative but implausible etymology exists.

Odùduwà is said to have given a crown to each of his seven sons {some accounts say seven grandsons, and yet others claim sixteen grandsons) and sent them off to found their own kingdoms.

The first Òràngún was given a massive, curved cutlass called "Ogbo" by Odùduwà to clear his way in the forest but the main purpose of the "Ogbo" gift was the inherent power to lead the young prince to a suitable place to settle down and establish his own kingdom. This "Ogbo" is claimed by oral historians as the source of the name "Igbomina" (from "Ogbo mi mo ona" or "Ogbo mo ona", a statement attributed to the original Òràngún, meaning "My Ogbo knows the way", or "The Ogbo knows the way"), which the Yoruba sub-ethnic of northeastern Yorubaland (of Òsun and Kwara States of Nigeria) are called.

Orangun of Oke-Ila and Ila

In Oke-Ila Orangun one of the twin sister-kingdoms, and capital of Ifedayo Local Government area of Osun State, the current Orangun is His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedokun Adeniyi Abolarin.

He is from the Obasolo Ruling House, one of the four ruling houses among which the title rotates in Oke-Ila Orangun. He was installed on December 8, 2006.

In Ila Orangun, the other of the sister kingdoms, and capital of Ifedayo Local Government area of Osun State, the current Orangun is His Royal Majesty, Oba Wahab Kayode Adedeji Oyedotun.

For the first time in more than 3 centuries, the two Orangun reigning in both Oke-Ila and Ila are descendants of Arutu Oluokun, the younger prince who led the exodus of the youth from the united kingdom at Ila Yara about 500 years ago. Some siblings of Arutu Oluokun stayed loyal to the then Orangun Apakiimo, and migrated with him to Igbohun (the initial name for Oke-Ila Orangun).