According to verifiable oral/documented historical accounts laced with facts and figures, which are also backed up with evidences from judicial records handed down to us by our ancestors, the Awori people are descendants of Olofin Ogunfunminire who sojourned from Ile - Ife with his brothers and families in the 14th century or thereabouts. One cannot be specific about all the dates because it is time immemorial. It is a predated time, a very long time ago. Olofin Ogunfunminire sojourned with his brothers Adeyonmbo, Ifadunlaiye also known as Fadu, Aro who later founded Abule Aro in the present day Abeokuta where the famous psychiatric hospital is located, as well as Akinbaiye and so on and so forth. It was affirmed according to historical investigations that the brothers were all Royal Princes from Ile - Ife. It was gathered that in the 14th century when there was need for the expansion of the progenitors of Oduduwa, Ifa Oracle was consulted for guidance. After the Oracle has been consulted, Oduduwa's progenitors were instructed to move to far places to meet with their destined prosperities. Just as we know that traditionally the Yoruba Race rever and worship so many gods who are also regarded as Olodumare's messangers on earth, among whom are Ogun Lakaiye Oshiimole (the god of Iron), Sango Olukoso (god of Thunder), Esu Laalu Ogiri Oko (god of Justice), Obatala, Obaluaye, Osun, Oya, e.t.c. Ogun was mostly their (Aladimu La) who was to guide, protect and create that path to their destined abode and prosperity. So, they were asked to offer sacrifices to the gods. Prince Adeyonmbo, Aro, Fadu, Olofin and Akinbaiye were given the sacrificial mud plate after offering prayers and supplications at the Ogun Shrine, and were later told to move. It was revealed that igberi Okun (Sea Shore or River Bank) were supposed to be where these people's prosperity lies and were further instructed that during their journey, they should place the Sacrificial mud plate on the river while they sail towards where the plate moved. They all therefore moved with their Royal Paraphernalia. And that at every point where the plate sink, that place was supposed to be their destined founding abode. However, when the plate resurface again, some of them should continue their journey until when the plate gets to a point where it finally sinks which symbolised the end of their journey and the founding of their place of prosperous abode. Meanwhile, it suffice here to say that at every point where the plate sank, the soujourners exclaimed "Awo Ri... Awo Ti Ri o!), meaning the mud plate has sank. So it is in the event of this concurrent words and exclamations whenever the plate sank during thier journey that these set of Yoruba Race divinely came about their Unique Name, THE AWORIS. Wherever the sacrificial mud plate sank, people stopped, created their homes, Kingdoms and started living there. After the plate resurfaced, others continued their journey by following the moving plate according to Ifa's instruction. This is what obtained for others until the plate finally sank at Ido in the present day Lagos Island.
As the Royal Prince Olofin Ogunfunminire and his brothers sojourned, it was said that Olofin founded Iseyin, Oke Ogun in Oyo State as well as Ilero, and we also learned that when he left Iseyin to continue his journey according to the Oracle's instructions, he left three things behind namely, Esu Oja, Ogun Akoko (The First Ogun) and Onikoyi. That's why our Oriki goes thus :
"Awa Lomo Aseyin Oro...
Ase a maa se ni kikan ni igba lomole gun...
Awa Lomo Olowo Isenmbaiye ti n fowo sile kediiye...
Egbon n lowo, Aburo n lowo bi i tiran baba wa o..."
It was also gathered that Olofin Ogunfunminire stopped at and founded Iganna before he moved on. As we know that by traditions, culture and customs, Oduduwa was a hunter, Warrior, farmer and ifa priest which by Divine design handed down to his progenitors from one generation to another, Olofin Ogunfunminire and his brothers who led their people on the sojourn were also farmers, hunters, warriors and Ifa priests aside the fact that they were Royal Princes. At a certain period in their sojourn, Olofin Ogunfunminire got to a place later to be known as The Ogun River which extended from all the Oke Ogun in Oyo State, passed through Abeokuta and led to Lagos here. It is the same Ogun River that passed through the Karra Bridge i. e the Osun River at Ojodu Berger in Isheri ile (known as Isheri Olofin). The Ogun River used to be a stagnant pond but for the sacrifices that Olofin Ogunfunminire made when they got there, it was after then, that it transformed and became a large flowing River according to history. And consequently the place is now known to be "Ogun River"....i.e Ogunfunminire's River (meaning Ogun has blessed me). It was after that they put the sacrificial plate on the flowing river and started following until they reached the present day Abeokuta. The plate sank in the flowing river when they got to Abeokuta where Prince Aro stayed and founded Abule Aro with certain set of people. All of them are Olofin Ogunfunminire's Kinsmen. After a long period of time, the plate resurfaced again and Olofin Ogunfunminire left with his people including Fadu and others until they reached Lagos State here at Isheri Olofin where the Plate sank again. It took a very long time before the plate resurfaced at Isheri Ojodu Berger. But before that time, Olofin and his people including Fadu and others have settled there and have turned the place to their abode. During that time, as a hunter and farmer, some of them went on a various hunting expedition at different times to different places at the mainland here in Lagos. As time goes by, it was during the hunting expedition that Fadu came to found Ejigbo Awori Lagos State in 1469. Olota also went on a hunting expedition from Isheri to found Ota in Ogun State. We learned that the first two Olotas were crowned in Isheri Ile before it was decided to crown the subsequent Obas in Ota till date. Akinbaiye who also sojourned with Olofin and who is also Olofin's Kinsmen came to found Isolo. Years later, the Clay Plate resurfaced again at Isheri River and Olofin left some of his children there, followed the plate with others till they reached Iddo River in Lagos Island where the plate finally sank. Olofin finally stopped there and founded Eko where he got married to Ajaiye and they beggot 8 Children known as "the Idejos" , among whom are Olumegbon, Aromire, Oloto, Onitolo, Elegushi, Oniru, Ojora and Onikoyi. They are the Original Land owners of Lagos State.
From the foregoing, this is how Olofin came to be the Original owner of the entire Lagos State. Also, amongst Olofin's children are the founders of some parts of Ogun State like Ota, Lafenwa, Ifo, Sango, Aro, Yewa e. t. c. Therefore, wherever Olofin, his Kinsmen and their children stopped and settled, they found and established their kingdom. So, on the final analysis, it is where the Clay Plate sank that the people spread to different parts of Lagos and some parts of Ogun State and that's how we the AWORIS came to be regarded so, an obvious fact even before Olofin Ogunfunminire and his Kinsmen left Ile - Ife in 14th century.
On a final note, and for emphasis purpose, according to popular established and enduring documented research findings, the Aworis are an ethnic group that traditionally inhabit the coastal areas of Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State. They are also found in other parts of Nigeria, as well as in the neighboring countries of Benin and Togo.
The Aworis are known for their rich cultural heritage and are well known for their traditional music, dance, and drumming. They are also known for their traditional religion, which centers on ancestor worship and the belief in a supreme being. They are also known for their traditional oral literature, which includes folktales, proverbs, and riddles.
The Aworis are mostly farmers and fishermen, and some of them are also traders. They have a strong sense of community and value the importance of family and tradition.
The Aworis are known to be one of the major tribes in Nigeria, They have a significant influence on the history of Lagos, particularly in the area of politics and governance.
The Olota throne is a traditional royal stool or seat of authority among the Awori people of Nigeria. It is a symbol of the Olota's (king) power and authority within the community and is passed down through the generations.
The Olota throne is considered to be a sacred object and is usually kept in a special palace or shrine, which is typically only accessible to the Olota and other members of the royal family. The throne is usually adorned with intricate carvings and symbols that hold deep cultural and historical significance.
The Olota is the traditional ruler of the Awori people and holds a great deal of power and prestige within the community. The Olota is responsible for the welfare of his people and is the ultimate authority in matters of justice, law, and order.
The Olota throne is seen as a symbol of the continuity of the Awori culture, tradition, and heritage and is an important part of their cultural identity.
Oriki Awori….
Mariwo eh eh, agan eh eh
Mariwo tu yeri yeri
Agan tu yeri yeri
Awori Omo Akesan, omo oloko ni ilu Isheri,
Omo iwaju oloko to n s’owo,
Eyinkule oloko to nso ejigba’leke,
Omo ogedengede oloko to ntan yebe yebe loju omi,
Omo kafopa wa kafaje wa, ka tun sopa nu ka s’aje nu,
Kafogede gede owo w’ako de’le Isheri,
Omo agbeleke r’eru, omo eyigba, omo onitigbo mokun,
Omo erin gbokun yin ibon ode, omo ere fa kalu,
Omo oro nje omo oro nso, omo abi maku omo are maso,
Omo okansoso ajanaku to n migbo kijikiji…..
Omo Ogunrombi, omo arogun masa, omo ogun
niwase.
Edumare Jowo Bawa Da Ilu Awori Si
Aseeeee ooooo....
@Prince Adeola Goloba 2020
Source : From The Archives
