THE EMERGENCE OF THE FIRST FEMALE ALÁÀFIN

THE EMERGENCE OF THE FIRST FEMALE ALÁÀFIN 
© Israel Ayanwuyi, 2019
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It is recorded that in ancient time, a female was once crowned Aláàfin of the Old Ọ̀yọ́ Empire. We must not consider this a new phenomenon —there is nothing new under the heaven—the first female as Aláàfin of Oyo is popularly known as Aláàfin Ọ̀rọ̀pọ̀tọ̀.

The first female Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́ was Aláàfin Àjìún Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀niyùn who became the Aláàfin in 1554 and reigned till 1562 when there was no male person qualified to ascend the throne.

'Tí kò bá ní ìdí obìnrin kìí jẹ́ kúmólú... a woman does not become.... without reason' 

Her father's name was Aláàfin Onígbódi who lived in Ìbàrùbá land, he died, his son, Aláàfin Ofinran became the king. During his reign, Aláàfin Òfínràn, his siblings, Prince Eguguojú, Princess Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀niyùn, Prince Ajíbóyèdé; and their people decided to leave Ìbàrùbá for Ọ̀yọ́. During their journey, one of the queens of Aláàfin Òfínràn who was pregnant at the time gave birth to a son called Tella Àbíìpa. It was also on the way that Aláàfin Ofinran died, and Aláàfin Eguguojú was enthroned. Aláàfin Eguguojú was the one who led the people to Ọ̀yọ́ Ìgbòho town, where they settled after the long journey, and that was where he died, too.

The next male to be enthroned was Prince Ajíbóyèdé but he was a little boy and the next male available was Prince Tella Àbíìpa who was a crawling baby at the time. There was no other male available in the royal lineage to be enthroned and this was why the Ọ̀yọ́mẹ̀sì [the 7-man hereditary council of Ọ̀yọ́ kingmakers which functioned as the legislative arm of the empire] decided to pick a King amongst themselves.

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀niyùn refused and demanded to be the next king. The Ọ̀yọ́mẹ̀sì stood against her interest and stating that it was an abomination for such to happen because a woman had never been king in history: only males were allowed to ascend the throne.
Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀niyùn vowed to prove to them that she was a male and was consequently entitled to the throne. She told them to meet her in Ìpèbí—a place where incoming king is empowered—in 7 days time to see and she began to wear Agbádá, Ṣòkòtò and Bùbá —Formal Yorùbá garment, trousers worn by men.

On the 7th day, the Ọ̀yọ́mẹ̀sì were amazed at what they saw in Ìpèbí, Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀niyùn unclad herself and they saw that she had no breast, and in place of a vulva, she had male genital!
Immediately the Ọ̀yọ́mẹ̀sì saw this, they prostrated as they eulogized her as the king. She became Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́ and her reign was calm, and peaceful. She won diverse wars for the people of Ọ̀yọ́.

Aláàfin Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀niyùn was a valiant warrior and an expert in the usage of war machineries: she was the king who conquered the disturbing battle of the Nupe tribe in 1555. After the demise of Aláàfin Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀niyùn, Aláàfin Tella Àbíipa emerged as the next ruler of Ọ̀yọ́.
Numerous lessons can be drawn from the history of the first female Aláàfin. One of these lessons is that there is hardly any position of honour that cannot be occupied by a woman though not in a transgender approach. 

"A ò rí irú eléyìí rí, a fi ń dẹ́rù ba ọlọ́rọ̀ ni. Declaring that a phenomenon has never occurred before is a mere ploy to scarce its victim. "

Besides, it is evident from this story that surgery was not invented by the whites. It has been since the beginning. Many people believe it was Aláàfin Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀niyùn who first transitioned.

It is important for people to stop desperately seeking to have male children. Regardless of what gender a child is, that child is important—a gift from God and can achieve great things in life
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REFERENCES 
1. OSÙỌLALÉ, Kehinde (2018, April 23). Live Discussion on Aláàfin Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀niyùn, jagunjagun orí ẹṣin. Research Work for AIF MEDIA. 
2. JÁDESỌ́LÁ, Àyánwuyì (2016). An Oral Interview. Interviewer: Israel Ayanwuyi. Research work for the AIF MEDIA.