• Login
Dkmngr
  • News
  • Biography
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Health and Fitness
  • History
  • Sports
  • Technology
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Biography
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Health and Fitness
  • History
  • Sports
  • Technology
No Result
View All Result
Dkmngr
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • About Dkmngr – News and Entertainment

History of the Egbas | Complete Egba History

by Editor
January 17, 2025
in History
0
Egbas
0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

History of the Egbas 

The Egbas or the people of Egba land are found in the south-western region of Nigeria, and constitute the significant set of people in the central area of Ogun state.

Initially, Egba-land was part of the old Oyo empire before they gained independence through a man called Lisabi in the late seventeenth century, who united with some Yoruba groups for an onslaught against the Oyo Empire between 1775 and 1780. 

Within the land of Egba is the famous ‘Olumo Rock,’ which, according to history, was a massive fortress for the people of Egba during their war against the people of Dahomey.

The Olumo rock is a significant icon of the Egbas, which is located in the capital city called Abeokuta in the present day.

However, Abeokuta didn’t use to belong to the Egbas until Lisabi embarked on an Independence war from the old Oyo empire, which changed their history forever. 

Lisabi was born in Itoku but lived in Igbehin. 

During this period, the Egbas was still under the leadership of the Oyo empire. At first, Lisabi organized a group of people which was tagged with traditional mutual assistance for their society – behind which the main list of a Freedom for the Egbas was being planned.

In 1780, the Lisabi’s group was used as an insurgent group to liberate the Egbas from the Oyo empire’s people by killing all the Oyo tribute collection officers within their territory about six hundred of the officers were killed on a single day.

On receiving such a rebellious and unpleasant news by the Alaafin of Oyo, he dispatched an Army group to disband the revolutionary group. Still, Lisabi’s group knew this would happen and had prepared for an attack of their own.

In the Egba forest, Lisabi’s group fought well and defeated the Army of Alaafin, after which they established their Freedom.

However, there was disunity among the Egbas, and their weak bond denied them of a force that could withstand the constant war that poses a threat to their existence.

The frequent attack of the Ibadan and Dahomey hunters didn’t help either. Hence, they were forced to relocate based on the directive of the Ifa Oracle.

At this time, Chief Shodeke led the Egbas to Nigeria’s western side, where the Olumo rock is located today. 

The present-day Abeokuta – the capital of Ogun state – is also called the Oko Adagba, which translates to Adagba’s farm.

The name was based on the fact that Adagba – a hunter – was the first person to discover the iconic symbol of the Egbas – the Olumo rock – while he was searching for game animal and food from the Obantoko village where the fellow Egbas were stationed when they were still wandering around for a place to settle.

Under this Olumo rock, the Egbas first settled, which a place called Ikija or Ikereku area of the Egba Oke Ona. 

The high priest of Olumo is famously known among the people as the Jagunna of Itoko while the entire Olumo rock and its territory are under the watch of the Itokos. This Ikija area has become an amusement park in the present day. 

Currently, the Egbas has four significant subgroups: the Owu, Ake, Gbagura, and Oke Ona, with a king ruling over each group. Each king was referred to as Olowu of Owu, Alake of Egbaland, Agura of Gbagura, and Oshile of Oke, respectively. 

During the colonial era, the British rule recognized the Alake (meaning king of Ake) as the supreme ruler among the four rulers. Consequently, his successor was renamed as the Alake of Egba land.

It is worthy to note that there is another king within the geographical zone of the Egbas known as the Olubara. 

Olubara is not an Egba king but a Yewa king – another group of people close to the Egbas.  

The Egbas are well known as warriors, but they are peaceful people in the present days. Their language is one of the many dialects of the Yorubas. They can be seen currently in many towns in the Yoruba land, notably in Oyo, Ogun, Eko (Lagos), and many other areas. 

Source: Dkmngr

Editor

Editor

Related Posts

Ancient Kano City Walls

The Majestic Ancient Kano City Walls: A Historical Icon

by Editor
August 29, 2025
0

The Ancient Kano City Walls: A Millennium of History and Heritage For more than a millennium, the Ancient City Walls...

Iho Eleru Skull

Iho Eleru Skull: Ancient Human Fossil From Nigeria

by Editor
August 28, 2025
0

Iho Eleru Skull: Mysterious Human Fossil Found in Nigeria Cave Concealed deep within a Nigerian rock shelter, a discovery rested...

Iyake Lake

Iyake Lake: Nigeria’s Breathtaking Hidden Natural Wonder

by Editor
August 26, 2025
0

Iyake Lake: Nigeria's Breathtaking Hidden Natural Wonder High in Oyo State, Nigeria's hilly terrain, Ado-Awaye Mountain boasts one of the...

The Owu Wall

The Owu Wall: Ancient Fortress of Nigeria’s Yoruba Kingdom

by Editor
August 25, 2025
0

The Owu Wall: Ancient Fortress of Nigeria's Yoruba Kingdom Deep within the green splendour of Osun State lies the Owu...

The Great wall of Benin

The Great wall of Benin: Nigeria’s Forgotten Ancient Marvel

by Editor
August 24, 2025
0

The Great wall of Benin: Nigeria's Forgotten Ancient Marvel For ages, a secret was hidden in the dirt of southern...

Igbara Oke

Explore the Beauty and Culture of Igbara Oke

by Editor
August 23, 2025
0

Explore the Beauty and Culture of Igbara Oke Perched on top of the scenic Ondo State hills of Nigeria, Igbara...

Next Post
Ife

The Descendants of Ife | Complete Yoruba History

ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended

Top 20 Best Strikers In The World

4 years ago

Gabe Kaplan Bio: Age, Nationality, Spouse, Net Worth

4 years ago

Popular News

  • Seinfield Rick Bolden Death: Biography, What Happened?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iho Eleru Skull: Ancient Human Fossil From Nigeria

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iyake Lake: Nigeria’s Breathtaking Hidden Natural Wonder

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Owu Wall: Ancient Fortress of Nigeria’s Yoruba Kingdom

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Tompolo’s Biography: Real Name, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • About Dkmngr – News and Entertainment

© 2025 Dkmngr -Digging Deeper, Reporting Smarter.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Biography
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Health and Fitness
  • History
  • Sports
  • Technology

© 2025 Dkmngr -Digging Deeper, Reporting Smarter.