What is the Importance of Ile-Ife city for Afrikan people?

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What is the Importance of Ile Ife city for Afrikan people?

Ile-Ife also referred to as Ife, is an ancient city situated in Osun State, southwestern Nigeria. The city dates back to 500 B.C. and is renowned as the oldest Yoruba city. Yoruba is a large ethnic group of urban people residing in Nigeria and the African Continent. The city started to flourish brightly between the 11th and 15th Century C.E. The city presently has a population of around 500,000 people. It is home to one of the most prestigious universities in Nigeria, like Obafemi Awolowo University and the Natural History Museum of Nigeria. Ile-Ife is also known for its agricultural products like vegetables, grain cacao, tobacco, and cotton. The city is magnificent and almost has it all. Yoruba people residing in Ile-Ife immensely adore their city; here's why:

Place Of Creation

Ile-Ife is the origin of Yoruba people, and they believe it to be the place of the creation of humankind too. According to Yoruba mythology, the Ile-Ife is where civilization began, and the gods descended to the earth. Ife was founded by the deities Oduduwa and Obatala when they created the world by separating earth from water and making the first clay humans. At the same time, the Oduduwa announced himself as the first divine king of the Yoruba people. However, the present ruler of the city is Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II. The king also considers himself a descendant of the god Oduduwa and honors the right to wear royal beaded crowns.

Artistic Center

As I previously mentioned, the city started to flourish between the 11th to 15th centuries. It developed into a large walled city with substantial stone buildings and palaces and a thriving artistic center. It almost became world famous for its art. By the 12th century, the artists of Ile-Ife were starting to discover bronzes, terracottas, and stone sculptures, which are proudly exhibited in the famous museums of Nigeria, Europe, and North America. However, this artistic triumph of Ile-Ife started to set off after the 15th century when the neighboring kingdoms took over the city's political power and wealth.

Prestigious Education

One of the most popular and leading academic institutions in Nigeria and West Africa, Obafemi Awolowo University is still the major higher studies institution in Ile-Ife. The university was initially founded in 1962 as the University of Ife but was later renamed Obafemi Awolowo University by the Federal Military Government of Nigeria in 1987. The changing of names happened in honor of one of the most renowned founders of the city Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo. He is also a well-known nationalist and a former chancellor.

City Of Life And Death

Another belief that Yoruba people follow about the Ile-Ife city is that it is known to be the city of life and death. The city name Ile means house, land, or the final place of rest. This goes like after death, one has to go home to join their ancestors in the afterlife, or you can say return to one's place of origin. This theory of Yoruba people sets a quite intense meaning for the Yoruba population. The city is considered the purest way to heaven or god for any deceased soul. The kings of other Yoruba nations, like the Benin kingdom, also worship the same belief and are buried after their death inside the ancient burial ground in the city named the "heaven of Benin kings."

Conclusion:

For Yoruba people, the city of Ile-Ife is a city of god and creation. They believe it to be their life and death. No matter where they reside or go, the city lives in their heart, and they worship it. Ile-Ife city is known to be the place where the day dawns. It was also believed that the idea of creating the world came from Yoruba mythology; when the world was only darkness and water, the Olodumare decided to create something new and unique in the universe, and that's when he came up with the idea of making the world and humankind. The primary significance of this city to the Yoruba people is because of this reason only. They consider it to be their and the entire humankind's origin.

Reference:

The metropolitan museum of art. (, ). Ife (from ca 6th Century). [Weblog]. Retrieved 6 January 2023, from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ife/hd_ife.htm