Part 4 - Black History Month = Yoruba History Month

*This special moment in Yoruba History was brought to us courtesy of Dr Adediji, our association president. I think I know the answer here but it would be an unfair advantage on my part as I got to see the quiz first. Anyway. Have a go at it!

So Who am I? 

I was a powerful woman of the early 19^th century Yoruba land. I was rich, famous and greatly influential perhaps only second in status to the traditional head of my city himself.

I was a strict disciplinarian and I ruled my household and businesses with an iron fist. Sometimes the measure of judgment and punishment I meted out was inconsistent with the customs of the land.

You crossed my path, and you were swiftly executed!

By executing one too many, I went too far and finally fell from Grace to Grass. I was confronted and finally died in the hand of the great traditional leader of my city where I was a chieftain.

Do you know my name?

The first correct entry wins a prize!

 Note also: Identifying the Traditional ruler by name would also earn a special prize.

Funke Abolade, M.D.

Social Secretary.

Part 2: Black History Month = Yoruba History Month

*Many thanks to Prof. Ayanwale for this week's submission of a"Yoruba History month" quiz. Ko ni tan ni be o. And congratutions to Mrs Alabi and all the other correct entrants for the last quiz. Enjoy solving this one.

Sooooo, Once again, Identify me by my name.... 


WHO AM I?
by
Prof. Lekan Ayanwale.

I am an Egba woman that studied in England. When I returned to Nigeria, I settled in Abeokuta with my husband who composed the “national anthem” entitled “Lori oke ati petele” for the Egbas.

Abeokuta was an Independent “state-country” within a country long before Nigerian Independence. And because I cannot stand injustice of the rulers over the ruled, I organized women folks especially traders and market women into pressure groups that demanded our rights.

First, our protest led to the building of maternity wards in our hospitals.

Second, my group succeeded in the exclusion of women from paying of undue market levies and taxes.

Third, I led another protest against the unpopular reign of the Alake of Abeokuta, Oba Ademola II. This particular protest resulted in his removal from office and his Ake palace. He was banished from Abeokuta and sent to Oshogbo where he spent some long time to atone for his bad reigns. He apologized to the Egba people and was pardoned by the governor before he was allowed to return to his palace.

My spirit to fight injustice led me to confront the illegitimate military governance of Nigeria by its armed forces. For this, because many Nigerians are timid or afraid of guns and therefore did not join me, I was man-handled by the military and punished for my bravery. The military caused me serious injuries when a contingent was sent to attack me in my house. The ordeals eventually led to my death.

My only joy is that all my four children, my loving 3 boys and a girl as well of my grand children have taken after me. They will continue to fight injustice any where it surfaces and the spirit will continue fighting until Nigeria rulers change their ways for better.

Who am I?

*The 1st correct response wins a prize to be given at this weekend's meeting in Birmingham.


Funke Abolade, M.D.

Social/publicity Secretary

Black History Month = Yoruba History Month!

What better way is there to celebrate Black History month in February than a game of identifying our own Yoruba Giants in History - our heroes? Prizes for the first correct identification of this original son of the soil below, another "one of us"...


Sooo who am I?

"Mine is an unusual story of a slave boy with a happier ending. I was born a free man in the earlier part of the 19th century, originally egba in my ethnicity. At the age of 12, I along with my mother, Uncle,  toddler brother and entire village was captured and sold into slavery.

As luck would have it, the British navy, who were trying to abolish slavery boarded our ship before it set sail. The ship was redirected up the coast of West Africa where I was later released in Freetown, Sierra Leone. I was converted there to Christianity and educated there by the missionaries who gave me a different first name. I learnt to speak english and was later sent to England to be further educated.  There I got another last name but I kept my original first name.

When I came back, I became one of those chosen to go on an expedition down the coast of West Africa spreading Christianity and seeing to it that slavery was abolished. I was ordained the first African Bishop of the Anglican church. It would take another 60 years to see another African so ordained.

I commissioned and later saw to completion, the translation of the Bible to Yoruba, "Bibeli Mimo" and also saw to completion, the first Yoruba Dictionary. Who am I?"

Happy Black History (or in our case, Yoruba Heroes) Month!

Funke Abolade, M.D


Social/Publicity Sec