Next up is Ogbomoso, the land of valiant! This is our maternal ancestral home. Ogbomosho is one of the largest cities in Oyo State and a beacon of old Yoruba culture. Founded in the mid-17th century, Ogbomoso is a remnant of the Oyo empire. Ogbomoso was a place of asylum for those displaced after the Fulani conquest of the early 19th century.
The city of Ogbomoso was founded by Ogunlola. As the story goes, Elemaso was a cruel and fearsome leader who brought many hardships upon the people of Oyo. As retaliation, Ogunlola hunted and beheaded Elemaso. This is the origin of the name Ogbomosho. It is a shortened version of the phrase “Ido Eni ti o gb' elemoso" which is Yoruba language for “settlement of him who beheaded Elemaso".
The city has grown to inhabit people of many trades including farmers and artisans. Crops of note include corn, cassava and cotton. Cotton is important in Ogbomoso because it is used to make Aso oke.
Aso oke or “Top Cloth” comes from “Aso Ilu Oke” which means “clothes from the countryside”. Aso oke is woven cotton that is made into strips. These strips are sewn together to make things like clothing. Traditionally, this fabric was used for special gatherings like weddings and festivals. Aso oke can be seen in Nigerian men’s and women’s formalwear as part of the Gele (head tie), Pele (shawl) and fila (men’s cap).
There are three main types of Aso oke: Ẹtu, Alaari and Sanyan. Ẹtu is a deep indigo colored version of Aso oke. While Alaari is made of magenta silk which gives a purple/reddish colored fabric. Sanyan is a specialty of Ogbomoso and is recognized by its beige color. Sanyan is made from moth cocoons and is left undyed giving it its signature beige/brown color.
Ogbomoso is a great example of old school West African culture. It has a rich and interesting history and continues to honor its many traditions. Learning about our history is how we celebrate our predecessors.
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