The Tradition of Abobaku in Yoruba History
Origin and Role
About 400 years ago, in the Old Oyo Empire, the role of the Abobaku was a critical and solemn obligation. The term “Abobaku” translates to “He who dies with the king.” This individual was designated to be buried alive with the king upon the monarch’s death. The belief was that the people would suffer severe misfortune if the Abobaku was not interred with the king. This practice, unique to the Old Oyo Empire, was not observed in other Yoruba regions such as Ile-Ife.
Purpose
The tradition of the Abobaku served as a form of insurance for the Alaafin, the king of Oyo. It aimed to ensure a strong, permanent bond of allegiance between the king and his most dependable general. The Abobaku was highly motivated to keep the king alive because his own life was directly tied to the monarch’s. Historians suggest that the practice arose to counteract the frequent poisoning of kings by their successors and palace workers, creating a method to deter such treachery.
Historical Context
The custom of the Abobaku dates back to the ancient Oyo Empire, known for its powerful and often tyrannical rulers who exerted great control over many villages. The Oyo Empire’s dominance led other towns to seek independence, especially during times of war. In this turbulent period, the Abobaku, often serving as a war general, was responsible for the king’s safety during battles. He was expected to die protecting the Alaafin. For instance, when Alaafin Atiba, the first Alaafin of the old Oyo Empire, passed away, over 21 people were buried alive with him.
Change and Abolition
The tradition persisted until relatively recent times. When a king died in 1980, preceding Olubuse II, there was no Abobaku to be buried with him, yet no calamity befell the land after seven days. This event began to challenge the necessity of the practice.
During the colonial era, the arrival of the British colonial masters brought significant changes. The Abobaku, who became an essential interpreter for the British, was too valuable to be sacrificed. When a king died, the British authorities protected the Abobaku by framing him for a crime and sentencing him to life imprisonment, thus preventing his burial with the king. On the sixth day, palace chiefs, realizing the Abobaku was unavailable, decided to use a live cow as a substitute, and surprisingly, no disaster occurred. This incident led to the abolition of the Abobaku tradition.
Legacy
The abolition of the Abobaku practice was a significant cultural shift in Yorubaland. It illustrated the adaptability of Yoruba traditions and the influence of colonial intervention. The saying “eni oyinbo feran ni ti mole” (whoever the white man loves is being caged) reflects the paradox of colonial influence—while it often disrupted traditional practices, it also provided protection and new opportunities for some individuals within the society.
