Ódárawu was an
Aláàfin of the
Oyo Empire
The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba people, Yoruba empire in West Africa. It was located in present-day western Nigeria (including the South West (Nigeria), South West zone, Benin Republic, and the western half of the North Central (Nigeria), North Cent ...
, who ruled briefly during the seventeenth century.
He was the first Aláàfin recorded to be dethroned by the
Oyo Mesi
The Oyo Mesi is the
privy council of Oyo, Oyo State, Oyo, a Yoruba people, Yoruba List of Nigerian traditional states, traditional state in Southwestern Nigeria. It dates to the medieval period, when it served as the government of a powerful pre- ...
Ódárawu was the son of
Àjàgbó and ruled for a short period of time. He was considered a man of bad temperament. According to Oyo
legend
A legend is a genre of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions, believed or perceived to have taken place in human history. Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human values, and possess certain qualities that give the ...
his bad temper led him to being removed as king and also served as a warning and lesson to future kings on character development.
Before Ódárawu was crowned, he was a great trader. In the market of Ojo-Sẹgi he expected a discount for being a royal and did not pay the full sum for his purchase. The trader, not knowing he was a royal, accused him of being a thief and slapped him. After he ascended the throne he ordered the destruction of Ojo-Sẹgi. This was seen as tyrannical and he was therefore dethroned and killed by the Oyo Mesi through
ritual suicide
A suicide method is any means by which a person may choose to end their life. Suicide attempts do not always result in death, and a non-fatal suicide attempt can leave the person with serious physical injuries, long-term health problems, or ...
.
References
*Samuel Johnson, Obadiah Johnson. The History of the Yorubas, From the Earliest of Times to the Beginning of the British Protectorate. P 169
Alaafins of Oyo
{{Africa-royal-stub