YORUBA HISTORY

THE HISTORY OF THE YORUBAS

From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the British Protectorate

The REV. SAMUEL JOHNSON

Pastor of Oyo

EDITED BY

O. JOHNSON, Lagos

C.M.S. (NIGERIA) BOOKSHOPS LAGOS

First published 1921 Reprinted 1937 Reprinted 1956 Reprinted 1957 Reprinted 1960

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY LOWE AND BRYDONE (PRINTERS) LIMITED, LONDON, N.W.IO

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

What led to this production was not a burning desire of the author to appear in print — as all who are well acquainted with him will readily admit — but a purely patriotic motive, that the history of our fatherland might not be lost in oblivion, especially as our old sires are fast dying out.

Educated natives of Yoruba are well acquainted with the history of England and with that of Rome and Greece, but of the history of their own country they know nothing whatever! This reproach it is one of the author's objects to remove.

Whilst the author could claim to be a pioneer in an untrodden field, he can by no means pretend to have exhausted the subject; but he hopes by this to stimulate among his more favoured brethren the spirit of patriotism and enquiry into the histories of the less known parts of the country. It may be that oral records are preserved in them which are handed down from father to son, as in the case of the better-known Royal bards in the Metropolis, such records though imperfect should surely not be under-rated.

In the perusal of this feeble attempt, the author craves the forbearance of his readers; he deprecates the spirit of tribal feelings and petty jealousies now rife among us. In recording events of what transpired, good or bad, failures and successes, among the various tribes, he has endeavoured to avoid whatever would cause needless offence to anyone or irritate the feelings of those specially interested in the narratives, provided only that the cause of truth, and of public benefit be faithfully served.

With respect to the ancient and mythological period he has stated the facts as they are given by the bards, and with respect to the History of comparatively recent dates, viz., from the time of King Abiodun downwards, from eyewitnesses of the events which they narrate, or from those who have taken part in them. He has thus endeavoured to present a reliable record of events.

He is greatly indebted especially to the honoured David Kukomi, the patriarch of the Ibadan Church, (the now sainted father of the Rev. R. S. Oyebode). Kukomi was a young man in the days of King Abiodun, and it was his fortune (or misfortune) to take part in the wars and other national movements of the period as a common soldier and was thus able to give a clear and reliable account of the saying, persons, and events of those stirring times, being a cool man of judgment, observant, and remarkably intelligent.

AUTHOR S PREFACE

Also, to Josiah Oni, an intrepid trader in those days, an active and intelligent observer who was well acquainted with almost every part of the country and took part in some of the most stirring events of a later period.

And last though not least to his highness the venerable Lagunju, the renowned Timi of Ede, so well-known all over the country as a gifted and trusty historian of the Yoruba Country.

And to others also who are not here mentioned by name.

The histories of all nations present many phases and divers features, which are brought out by various writers in the lines in which each is interested; the same method we hope will be pursued by writers in this country until we become possessed of a fuller History of the Yoruba.