HISTORY OF PAHAYI YEWA VIA ILARO, YEWA SOUTH, OGUN STATE
Prince Kuudu who originated from old Oyo Mako founded the ancient Pahayi town in the eighteenth century. His father, Oba Adigun (Oranyan) Alaafin Akoko was a king in the old Oyo kingdom.
Prince Kuudu was faced with the challenge of “Abiku”, a regenerated spirit child who reincarnates and never lived to maturity. After Ifa Oracle consultation, he was advised to consider relocation to a new land that would be revealed to him. Ifa hinted that a mysterious River with miraculous capacity would be found at the location. The said riv would be the solution to his childlessness. Without hesitation, he set out of Mako in Oyo town together with his wife and his siblings; Fayomi Olugbensi and Ejide (female). As a symbol of royalty for recognition while on their journey, a traditional small crown with beaded staff (Ade Isenbaye & Opa Ase) was handed to them.
While on the voyage through Abeokuta, they came across Olukosi who is one of their kindreds from kosi later departed towards Ketu while Prince Kuudu, Fayomi, Olugbesi and their sister, Ejide continued towards Ilu-Aro (llaro). Arriving at llu-Aro was with ecstasy as it was mistaken for the promised Land since they met some of their descendants there already. Ifa Oracle directed them again towards the current Pahayi, which was earlier called “Apa-Ihayin” (PAAPA IHAYIN) declared in Oyo dialect hey finally found their new home where they settled and engaged in their hunting busines
The pathfinder river previously mentioned by the oracle was later discovered and its name is “Yewande” river. The mysterious attribute of the river is that fishing in it is forbidden as any contrary act attract serious sacrificial atonement. Meanwhile, they had previously fetched fishes from this River and cooked but found it to be inedible due to inability to cook to suitable level. Prince Kuudu was blessed with a child after fulfilling the appropriate atonement to this river. The river was named sequently. After about twelve years of living in Pahayi, they welcomed two visitors who at times; Ajetunmobi and Akinde. Several other people later joined them from places like Iseri, Ijanna , Ibooro, Joga and Isaga and they kept expanding in size.
Other rivers of significance in Pahayi include “Idamede River” which was full of white prawns Odo-Odi River” which is for drinking purposes but has great healing properties to cure speaking disability.
Pahayi indigenes are mainly farmers and hunters. They are known for ‘Oro’ and ‘Egungun’ ma traditional worshippers.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KUUDU, FAYOMI, OLUGBENSI AND IMOTO
There was a strong social interaction between Kuudu, Fayomi, Olugbensi and Olukosi, which was expressed by exchange of visits during ceremonial functions. Abosede Ejide (Kuudu’s siste husband at Imoto through such visits and interactions. Ejide and her husband (a sojourner also from Oyo) always mobilize their people to attend functions at Pahayi and vice versa. This was the reason for the similar Eulogistic Oration used for both Kuudu and Imoto people.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ISABIYI AND FAMILY OF KUUDU, FAYOMI AND OLUGBENSI
History informed that Adekanmbi was the father of Asoosa and Isabiyi. His wife, Apotun wa town. Adekanmbi happened to be uncle to Kuudu, Fayomi, Olugbensi and Abosede Ejide. The original migrants from Oyo lle to Pahayi later returned to Oyo to inform their people of their new (Pahayi). Adekanmbi (their Uncle) was glad to hear the news and decided to relocate to them. His children (Isabiyi and Asoosa) laid Adekanmbi to rest at Olugbensi compound after his demise according to their wishes.
Orisabiyi (Isabiyi) was a brave warrior who fought the Dahomey war and later returned with his “Egun captives. Iya Oni Kekere also known as Oji-Gobi was one of the Egun that returned with Isabiyi. Isabiyi was was mistaken for ‘Egun’ by some mischievous elements by this reason. Osa-Oko is the deity in Osabiyi family.
Chief Imam Afelogun as an elder in the clan rebuilt the Osa-Oko shrine at a time it went down. This same Deity was stolen at a time in Agbeba’s house, which was reported to Adigun Ekunola (Kuudu grandson) by Akanke.
THE GYNEOLOGY OF KUUDU
Kuudu begat Taiwo, Enigbe and Disamu. Enigbe is also called Afelogun which translates wants to go to war’ because he was born during war.
THE GYNEOLOGY OF FAYOMI
Fayomi begat Lafenwa whose children are Babatunde, Bankole Atanda and Ibiyinka Sango (god of thunder) initiate.
THE GYNEOLOGY OF OLUGBENSI
Olugbensi gave birth to Banuso who got married at Gbokoto and she married Ogunseye. Banuso begat Egemo, Akinlade, Adetona, Ojefunke, Odefunke, Egunsola Ogunseye and Isadipe.
IFA NAMES GIVEN TO THE FOLLOWING PERSONS
Kuudu Fafiolu
Ejide – Fayele
Olugbensi Fadimu
Adekanbi Fagunwa
ORIGIN OF CHRISTIANITY IN PAHAYI
The family of Kosoko is important in Pahayi. Kosoko was the father of Daniel Elegbede, S Elewa) and the popular lya Onijogi. Daniel Elegbede (Kosoko) facilitated Christianity as a rel Pahayi by mobilizing the likes of Fadipe, Moses Akinlade and Josiah Oniyide’s father. He was by the people and named the Balogun of Christians.
ORIGIN OF ISLAMIC RELIGION IN PAHAYI
The combined efforts of the trio; Abubarka Iroko, Salami Egunsola (of Olugbensi cian) and Am
ORIGIN OF ISLAMIC RELIGION IN PAHAYI
The combined effort of the trio: Abubarka Iroko, Salami Egunsola ( of Olugbensi clan). and Amodu Oke established Islamic religion in Pahayi. This informed the reason Yusuf Afelogun was installed the second
Chief Imam after the demise of Imam Iroko.
THE BAALE STOOL/CHIEFTAINCY IN PAHAYI
The first installed Baale of Pahayi was Fayomi, from Lafenwa compound. Kuudu willfully choose his younger brother Fayomi to ascend the Baale stool because he was a great hunter who was always far away from home and would not have the luxury of time for day-to-day administration and rule
Olugbensi became the next Baale after the demise of Fayomi; both were from the same family. Orisabiyi of Ago Isale took over as Baale after the departure of Olugbensi. Orisabiyi was a nephew to Kuudu. The cycle returned to Lafenwa when Orisabiyi died, which produced Babatunde as a Baale. Akinde, of Idiroko also reigned as Baale after the departure of Babatunde. It later became the turn of Dosunmu in Idologun to become the Baale of Pahayi. After the demise of Dosunmu the Baale throne rolled back to Lafenwa again where it was traced to Banuso, a female, her son, Rafiu Egunsola was chosen to fill the position of his mother. After the demise of Rafiu Ogunseye Egunsola the Baale throne rolled back to Orisabiyi. It is noteworthy that none of Kuudu’s sons was yet Baale even after the clan of Olugbensi, Fayomi had repeatedly ruled. Until today when Apostle Bisi Emmanuel Ekunola lineage of Kuudu ascend the throne of his forefathers.
Note: Above is just a brief of our history, while the full history and families’ tree are well documented in the archive.
When Pahayi indigenes meets outside home the shout of “Omo Oluwewun” has a magical power of unifying the Pahayi people.
The Pahayi people has rich heritage. The Pahayi people are originator the “Oro” “Egungun”. The Egungun Masquerade festival, which in cases usually last for three months with almost a daily dance and magic performance at the Egungun play ground in the “Ita-Ale” area of Pahayi town near Ago Kuudu, The Oro festival, The Ogun festival, The Sango festival and the Elegba festival.
The Pahayi indegene has as part of pangerics “Eleshi-Owo”, “Omo Kuudu legbe-agbon, Isaga Okun mase, “Ogogo ‘kulodo”, Oyo Mako tracing the history back to the Oyo town” etc.
The Pahayi people have their farmlands located in: Kuudu, Onitubu, Ologorin, Ijado, Oke Ola, Igbo Igbin, Gbokoto, to mention but a few.
A visit to Pahayi will not be complete without taste of “Iyan Koko and Egusi soup, “Idobesi Apara” and Oso”
The ancient Pahayi people welcomes visitors as well as their sons and daughters foreign home with Apara, Oso Eko, Iyan Koko and Egusi soup. To the Pahayi people the kola and the bitterm kolas are meant for occasions such as the worship Ogun (Kola), Child naming ceremon (Orogbo) Elder family members are usually called “Ogboni”. Thus it is tryusual of Pahayi people to say” Ba mi ki Ogboni e o ,meaning extend greetings your dad or the leader of your Family. The Pahayi family is mostly extended in nature.
COMPOUND IN PAHAYI AS AT THEN
AGO KUUDU OYO MAKO
IGA OLUGBENSI OYO MAKO
IGA LAFENWA OYO MAKO
IGA AGO-IBORO. IBORO
IGA AJETUNMOBI. IGAN
IGA IDOLOGUN. JOGA
IGA OGUNDIMU. ISAGA
IGA ONIYIDE (BABA ISALE) IJANNA NEAR ILARO
IGA OGUNSEYE GBOKOTO
IGA AJAYI ABORESE ISAGA
IGA OGUNSINA (AJANA). GBOKOTO
IGA OSABIYI. OYO MAKO
IGA AKINDE (IDIROKO). IBORO
IGA ONIBATA. ISAGA
IGA DOSUMU. JOGA
