History of the city of Iganna
The origin of Sabiganna from Iganna can be traced back to Adebiyi, one of Oduduwa’s grandsons known as Onisabe.
After the death of Adebiyi, the Onisabe of Sabe, the people wanted their son to call Gandi Sabi Safa to ascend the throne of Onisabe, but the kingmakers had the opposite opinion because he was not the heir of Onisabe and they insisted. that the Oba’s first son should succeed his father on the throne.
Consequently, Sabi Gandi and his supporter left Sabe (now in the Republic of Benin) and returned to Yoruba land, their ancestral homeland. He left Sabe with his two wives-Bolujiro and Oluorikan. Bolujiro fathered Ajibilu while Oluorikan fathered Alokolodo. Both Ajibilu and Alokolodo later ascend to the throne of his father.
Ajibilu fathered Etielu, Baya, Agunloye, Ajimati and Polajo while Alokolodo fathered the Alokolodo dynasty.
In short, Gandi Sabi Safa, after consulting with Ifa Oracle, settled down at Iganna immediately after the Ofiki River in accordance with the oracle’s directive, but before settling down, he observed a hut put up by a man named Balako who was happy to take him there. to Alaafin, the owner of the land. Gandi was pleased beyond words by the mention of the name Alaafin that his father uses to tell him before his death that they were from the same mother.
This led Gandi to meet Alaafin and he narrated his story. Though Alaafin welcomed him, the Tapa war was his greatest concern. Gandi promised to galvanize his army into action to join Alaafin in fighting the war and eventually won and brought King Tapa’s decapitated head to Alaafin.
Accordingly, Gandi received the royal blessing from Alaafin who gave him the Authority staff known as “Opagun” and ordered him to install chiefs with all titles known under Alaafin and that is why chieftainship titles such as Basorun (Bada ), Asipa (Basipa), Samu (Basamu), Akinnuku, Lagunna, Gbonka and Agbaakin are installed by Sabiganna until today.
In the old Oyo Empire, Iganna was known to be powerful. Then, for administrative convenience, the descendants of the Oranmiyan or Alaafin were divided into four distinct families known for their distinctive dialects and formed the four Yoroba provinces proper.
(i) The Ekun Otun or Western Province which included all the towns along the right bank of the Ogun River up to Iberekodo. Iganna was the main city. Other important towns were Okeho, Iseyin, Iwere-Ile, Ijio, Eruwa, Iwawun, Iberekodo, Idiyan, Ibode, Igboho, Ipapo, Kisi, Ado-Awaye, and Ibarapas, etc.
(ii) Ekun Osi or metropolitan province comprised all the towns east of Oyo; Ilorin, Ogbomosho, Ikoyi, being the main town, other important towns are the Igbonas, Oro, Irawo, etc.
(iii) The province of Ibolo is located southeast of the towns from Ekun Osi to Ede, with Iresa being the main town. Other important towns are: Ofa, Oyan, Okuku, Ikirun, Osogbo, Ido, Ilobu, Ejigbo and Ede.
(iv) The Epo (herbs) are the towns situated to the south and southwest of Oyo, whose main town was Oluwo of Iwo. Other important towns in this division were: Masifa, Ife-Odan, Ara, Iwo, Ilora, Akinmorin, Fiditi, Awe, Ago Oja.
In short, the word ‘IGANNA’ literally denotes wall fence in Yoroba language. The city is known and given the name Iganna and the king’s title as Sabiganna because it captures and preserves the city’s historical background on how Gandi Sabi Safa, our founding father, migrated from Sabe in the present Republic of Benin as a result of the fight for leadership. between him and his brother for the sake of peace. This explains why the Iganna people are peace loving to this day.
History says that Sabe was fenced off with a gatehouse as was done in the past for security reasons. When Gandi Sabi Safa decided to emigrate from the city with his followers to avoid the pandemonium that might ensue due to the chieftainship fight between him and his elder brother after the death of his father Adebiyi, he considered it prudent escape through the wall. fence with a ladder instead of being declared a security risk that could come out and reinforce to attack the village by security guards guarding the main entrance to the Sabe fence.
In an attempt to preserve this historical experience, Gandi and his followers decided to name their new found land, IGANNA and the king’s title, SABIGANNA, which is the coinage of SABI who scaled the wall fence (IGANNA) to escape with his followers; SABIGANNA.
THE DEITIES CELEBRATED IN IGANNA ARE:
1. Egungun: It is always celebrated in the month of August of each year.
2. Sango/Odun Balogun: Celebrated in the month of September of each year.
3. Oosii: Also celebrated in September.
4. Odua: Celebrated in October.
5. Orisa_nla Ajobo: Celebrated in October.
6. Osun: Celebrated in October.
7. Oro Mojesi (always lasts seven days): It is celebrated in October.
8. Yante: Held in October.
9. Ifa Tite: Celebrated in November.
The cultural heritage of the Iganna includes the Onko dialect of the Oyo tribe. People are profitable farmers. Cloth weaving (Aso_Oke) is also an occupation of the Iganna Indians. Apart from these, trading is also one of the old occupations of the city. According to history, the Iganna people travel from Iganna to Abeokuta, Ibadan, Lagos and other neighboring towns/villages for the purpose of trading in ancient times.
The Ignana people dress in all known Yoroba attire. These include Gbariye, Siki, Dandongo, Buba and Sokoto (men), Iro and Buba (women), with Sanyan Cap and Gele to match.
Hunting is another predominant occupation of the Iganna people. The predominant food of the farmers of the Yoroba tribe is also the food of the Iganna people such as Oka (Amala), Iyan (pounded yam), Eko jije, Eko mimu, Lanfun (cassava flour), with Egusi soup and other vegetables .
Fishing is also a primary occupation of the Iganna, hence the people are described as Iganna a fie yin be lu Odo… that is, the Iganna people jump into the river upside down to swim.
The Iganna people are also warriors according to the story. For example, Tapa war, Dahomey war during Alaafin Obalokun in Oyoro.
