The Impact of Nineteenth Century Warfare on Yoruba Traditional Chieftaincy

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Periodical article

Title:	The Impact of Nineteenth Century Warfare on Yoruba Traditional Chieftaincy
Author:	Oyemakinde, Wale
Year:	1978
Periodical:	Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria
Volume:	9
Issue:	2
Period:	June
Pages:	21-34
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	Yoruba traditional rulers war Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) History and Exploration
Abstract:	In nineteenth century Yorubaland warfare was endemic. Ibadan rose to political hegemony and with it a new brand of chieftaincy evolved which was through the promotion of war leaders to state responsibilities, confirming the notion that positions had to be achieved rather than inherited or ascribed. The fact that traditional authority in one Yoruba kingdom after another could not close its ranks in the face of armed harassment had far reaching consequences. As it happened in several Yoruba states the section of the royal family which returned to resettle the town before the coming of the others tried to monopolise the throne to the exclusion of their blood brothers and others of their families who returned later. This gave rise to chieftaincy disputes which have survived from the nineteenth century to the present, making it obligatory for the government or set up judicial commissions of enquiry to examine competing claims to royalty. Notes.