Why does enemies attacked Oyo Empire but Couldnt attacked Ilé-Ifè?

Both Oyo Empire and Ile-Ife are from the same ancestors, they are brothers, they are One, they are children of Oduduwa. According to existence, Ile-Ife Kingdom existed before Oyo Kingdom.

One of the son of Oduduwa migrated from Ile-Ife to create Oyo Empire. All sons of Oduduwa adopted a name called Yoruba.This is just like forming an association. i.e. like saying "Association of Oduduwa Children". Since they're all a Traditionalist, they usually consult their ancestors and ask questions before doing anything either it will be good or harm them. So they consulted their ancestors if the name Yoruba will be good for their association. This is how they are called "Yoruba Omo Oduduwa"

Oyo empire existed between 12th century to 18th century. During its apogee (1650–1750), most of the states between the Volta River in the west and the Niger River in the east. It was the most important and authoritative of all the early Yoruba principalities.

The visitors from Mali who came for business in Oyo Empire brought them a religion called Islam (Esin Imale) in peace, and some of them started embracing the religion since it was brought to them peacefully. There was no fight, no war.

As at this time, Ile-Ife under the control of Oranmiyan whose stool title is called "Ooni of Ife" never gave a room for any foreign religion, and they only worships their ancestors. The rulers of Ile-Ife told the Oyo rulers to caution his citizens from embracing another belief that is different from their ancestors belief, but it seems it couldnt stop until the religion started spreading as they practices the religion and also worships their ancestors.

Those who practices this new religion among them were the first to receive some particular visitors called fulani. The belief and mentality of oyo people about islam was entirely different from the way their newly welcomed visitors practices it.

Those newly welcomed visitors were later the ones that launched a sudden attack on Oyo Empire after they have penetrated deeply through the alliance of some Oyo Citizens who practices same belief with them. It was later believed that no one was aware of these visitors attacked.

The fleeing Oyo citizens later regrouped and prepared his armeies who are mostly Traditionalist (ancestoral worshippers). Oyo armies retaliated and got back the control of their Territories.

When Ile-Ife heard of the sudden attack on Oyo Empire by the visitors, the ruler of Ile-Ife sent both physical and spiritual chariots to support Oyo. It was a victory for Oyo Citizens after they fought back and get back their land.

This is where a popular saying comes out "Isese Ni Agba", meaning "ancestral is the supremacy"

The story of Alaafin Oluewu

The Alaafin Oluewu is one of the most tragic as his life was messed up by Ilorin. This vibrant king made spirited attempts to recover Ilorin but things turned around along the way & it was so bad that he had to visit Ilorin to bow before the Emir, Shita (who was the son of Alimi), in homage.

It was one of the most disgraceful points in the history of Alaafinate & many even avoid talking about it or do so with great sadness. When Oluewu bowed before Emir Shita, he seized the royal Gbedu drum saying there can be no two kings in his dominion. Oluewu never wanted to pay homage in the first place but his chiefs had advised him to stoop to conquer. Ilorin was that powerful then or let me say Oyo was that weak. Shita deeply humiliated Oluewu so much so that he stormed to Oyo & flatly refused Shita's second call for homage. Basorun & Asipa told him to go, Alaafin vowed that would happen over his dead body. He then instructed his chiefs not to also go but Basorun & Asipa disobeyed & went to bow before Shita in Ilorin.

Alaafin Oluewu remained unbowed & refused to accept Islam but he decided to take decisive steps. So, in 1835, he restructured his army & formed one of the most formidable military alliances called the Oyo-Borgu Military Alliance. He reached out to leader of the Borgu (Bariba) Empire (Borgawa Eleduwe Warikura) north of the River Niger & they joined hands to face their common enemy: Fulani emirate in Ilorin.

They commenced battle & Alaafin Oluewu led the forces. They recorded tremendous victory at first, it was almost certain he was going to reclaim Ilorin. It was on the last leg of his battle to take over the northern portion of Yorubaland (particularly Ilorin) from the Fulanis that he was killed. Alaafin Oluewu's death was orchestrated by Yoruba elders like Okedare Lanloke (Chief of Ogodo), Prince Atiba of Ago, Timi the Bamigbaiye of Ede & others. They went against what they had initially planned together with Alaafin Oluewu & they leaked the battle plan to the Fulanis. Some of them even opened the corridor for Fulani soldiers to penetrate. Oluewu did not know that his army had gbabode-d. The Borgus that he formed alliance with supported him till the very end but treachery & betrayal from his own side did not allow him achieve his dream & he was killed in battle. The Bariba warrior king Warikura also died fighting on Oluewu's side.

This is not a full piece, I am just writing briefly because I think Kabiyesi Oluewu's effort is not really well-known. He is one of my favourite kings & I admire his resilience. Many Alaafins made a lot of effort to free other Yorubas, another example is Alaafin Ojigi (1724-1735) who tried to free Igbomina Yorubas who were ly by the Nupes. More history coming. Let me attend to my customers first.

THE ORIGIN OF GUDU GUDU MEJE ATI YAYA MEFA

Some Ibadan Chiefs went to a meeting with Mr Hezekiah Shunklebottom the notoriously difficult British district officer ( during the colonial days).

In the course of the meeting the district officer was happy with what the Ibadan chiefs had to report and present

via an interpreter. He kept nodding and saying *_good good good good good good good yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah._*

One of the chiefs counted the "good"s which turned to be 7 and the "Yeah" which was counted as 6.

... And so when they got back to Ibadan they reported to Ibadan folks that the "Oyinbo se gudu gudu meje ati Yaya mefa.