The Kingdoms "Olugbo of Ugbo" and "Ooni of Ife". A Controversy of Manipulation of History or a Fact From Antiquity (PDF)

Academic Paper from the year 2020 in the subject History - Africa, , course: History and International Studies, language: English, abstract: This discourse opens with an explicit exploration of the two schools of thought that have come to chart the course of Ugbo and Ifee-Yoruba historiography and are pivotal to unravel Ugbo-Ooni of Ife controversy. It also attempts a critical assessment of facts from existing literatures on Ugbo, Yorùbá history and oral account of both palaces in the pre-Odùduwà era.

The aboriginals or earliest dwellers of Ile-Ife {Ule-Ufe in Ilaje dialect} have been the kernel of controversy between the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom and Ooni of Ìfe. Both monarchs present conflicting viewpoints which x-ray innate understanding. Thus, this antiquated controversy till date is devoid of agreement between the monarchs and their people which paves way for a witty dialogue in the academic community.

Since this controversy is of antiquity, and may lingers on unabated. This study therefore explores the two views/schools of thought appertaining to this controversy, and critically examines facts from antiquity. The study notes that scholars have made tremendous strides through varied and robust publications to unmask the mysticism surrounding Obatala and Oduduwa's personalities and have tried to lay to rest the Olugbo-Ooni's controversy. These researches have been useful but non-conclusive. However, this study concludes that availability of evidence to enhance Yoruba historiography are essential hormones of objectivity.