IYALODE
EFUNSETAN ANIWURA(IYALODE IBADAN) Efunsetan Aniwura, the great Iyalode of
Ibadan, was a wealthy and powerful woman of unusual boldness, strength and
intelligence.
According to accounts of books, biographies and films about her,
she reigned as the Iyalode of Ibadan for years. No light was shed about her
husband but she had only one child (girl), who died at a very young age,
between the age...s of 19 and 22 years whilst in labour. Efunsetan was a very
close friend of Madam Tinubu the Iyalode of Egba. She was a wealthy woman in
their days. Till date it is said that Efunsetan was the boldest, most powerful
and wealthiest Iyalode that reigned in Yoruba land. Her glory was rare and
could not be compared with any other during her reign. Efunsetan was a business
woman who travelled round the country to buy products like bitter kola,
kola-nut, cocoa, etc, she was well-known among the Hausa and the western
states.“She was among the first women that had
business transaction with the
white men.This also helped Ibadan in civilizing the people”. Efunsetan had her
own warriors and slaves like the king and released them for war in favour of
her people. During her days, she helped to improve the economy of Ibadan
through business transactions. She was also a good employer of labour. She was
among the first women that had business transaction with the white men.This
also helped Ibadan in civilizing the people. She was loved by all. Although a
very strict woman, she was also very nice to her slaves and employees. She gave
out gift and money to them freely at times without measure. A story was cited
about a slave of hers who delivered twins in her absence. At her return, she
gave her food, clothing, pomade, even money. She gave out her slaves in
marriages and even conducted naming ceremonies for them, but all these stopped
after the death of her daughter. After the death of her daughter, every thing
took a new turn. She was no longer submissive to God or the King, for according
to her, God has failed her. So, God should manage his heaven while she managed
her own earth. She killed her slaves at will for committing atrocities either
by beheading, poisoning, etc. She gave a sanction that no cry of a child must
be heard in her domain, neither must conception, courtship nor marriage take
place. Any female that conceived would either die or have the pregnancy
terminated by forceful abortion depending on her (Efunsetan) choice while the
man responsible would die. Efunsetan was said to be powerful in terms of
diabolic powers. It was not stated if she actually belonged to any occult
groups like the ifa, osun, witches, etc, but she had unusual powers which were
common mostly among the witches. After beheading one of her slaves for getting
pregnant for another of her slaves, even though her younger brother claimed he
was responsible. Her brother conspired with her slaves to save the life of the
slave girl. She refused all pleas from friends and family members. She went
ahead to kill the girl by beheading, her right in the village square. Several
attempts were made by her salves and slave’s lover and her friend to prevent
Esunsetan from killing her (to save her). She found out through her powers and
ended up in killing them instead. It was after this that the king ordered her
to be brought to the palace dead or alive, since every effort in summoning her
to the palace had failed. At a second thought, he (king) decided to go with
them robed in all kinds of charms. At her house she asked for their reason in
her house, which she was told, she asked if she could be excused to pick
something. She went back into the room and killed herself with majele (poison)
saying “kaka ki ileku ile oya saa” – Meaning it is better to die than to face
the shame of being arrested, ridiculed or punished. After her death all her
slaves were set free, some returned to their villages while some remained in
Ibadan and Oyo. Efunsetan was a woman of great principle. She was also
beautiful, wealthy and proud, which led to her destruction.
image Credit : www.goodbooksafrica.com
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