Ilara-Mokin () is an
Ekiti town located in a central part of
Ifedore local government of
Ondo State
Ondo State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Oǹdó) is a state in southwestern Nigeria. It was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. It borders Ekiti State to the north, Kogi State to the northeast, Edo State to the east, Delta State to ...
. Ilara-Mokin is about 12 km from Ondo state capital, and has
Ipogun, Ipinsa, Ikota,
Ibule-Soro and Ero as neighbouring towns.
History
According to oral history, the first Alara, or King, of Ilara Mokin was Obalufon Modulua Olutipin, who is said to be the same person as
Obalufon Ogbogbodirin
Obalufon Ogbogbodirin was the 4th Ooni of Ife, a paramount traditional ruler of Ile Ife, the ancestral home of the Yorubas
The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The are ...
or
Obalufon Alayemore, rulers of Ife between the 14th and 16th centuries whom established many different settlements before returning to Ile-Ife to rule. They were direct descendants of the semi-legendary Yoruba founder
Oduduwa
Oduduwa was a Yoruba divine king. According to tradition, he was the holder of the title of the ''Olofin'' of Ile-Ife, the Yoruba holy city. He ruled briefly in Ife, and also served as the progenitor of a number of independent royal dynastie ...
. Among those settlements was what is now known as the town of Ilara-Mokin. After being deposed from the throne by
Oranmiyan, he led his family and supporters from Ile-Ife, to a site in modern-day Ekiti or Ondo region, and placed his son Ayajo on the throne before returning to Ile-Ife. The people, known as the Ará people (a
Yorùbá) word meaning relative, or family, migrated for several centuries in the region until they arrived at a permanent location for safety and resources in the 1840s-1850s as civil wars plagued
Yorubaland
Yorubaland () is the homeland and cultural region of the Yoruba people in West Africa. It spans the modern-day countries of Nigeria, Togo and Benin, and covers a total land area of 142,114 km2 or about 60% of the land area of Ghana. Of this ...
, which is their present location.
The name Ilara-Mokin comes from the contraction of the phrase, "ì ní ará mọ ọ̀kín" (in the native Èkìtì dialect, "ù ní ará mọ ọ̀kín), meaning "The people who have many relatives and are as honorable as the royal bird. The word ọ̀kín, now attributed to the
peacock
Peafowl is a common name for three bird species in the genera '' Pavo'' and '' Afropavo'' within the tribe Pavonini of the family Phasianidae, the pheasants and their allies. Male peafowl are referred to as peacocks, and female peafowl are r ...
in modern days, originally referred pure white bird known for its beautiful feathers, and said to represent royalty and prestige. It is often called "Ọba Ẹyẹ," "King of the Birds." The phrase was later contracted to " Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín," or "Ùlárá-Mọ̀kín."
The people of Ilara migrated to their present location in the early 19th century after a series of wars with towns such as
Ile-Oluji. As a town in the Ekiti region, they were also influenced by
Benin Kingdom. During the
Kiriji War
The Kiriji War, also known as the Ekiti–Parapo War, was a 16-year-long civil war between the subethnic kingdoms of the Yoruba people, specifically divided between the Western Yoruba, which was mainly the Ibadan and Oyo-speaking Yorubas, and the ...
, Ilara served as the headquarters for the spy unit of the Ekiti-Parapo army.
The town consists of 5 historical sections that arose from the migration of different groups to the present location. Each of the groups are led by one or a series of chiefs. The oldest sections are the Òkè-Òde and Odò-Ùgbẹ̀yìn.
*The first one, Okè-Òde. The six-highest ranking chieftains of the town, known as the Iarefa, come from this town. The families that produce these chieftains are called Iare, they serve as the members of council of kingmakers who decide the King as well as the priests who uphold the rituals of the
Yoruba religion
The Yoruba religion (Yoruba: Ìṣẹ̀ṣe), or Isese, comprises the traditional religious and spiritual concepts and practice of the Yoruba people. Its homeland is in present-day Southwestern Nigeria, which comprises the majority of Oyo, Og ...
and the worship of the orisha. The second and third in command chiefs of the town, the Lísà and Ọbaálá, are the leaders of this section. Other chiefs from this section include the Arálọyìn, Ọṣíndílẹ̀, and Sẹ́lẹmọ̀.
*The second one, Odò-Ùgbẹyìn, are the oldest section of the town, and include members of the royal family. As such, the Alárá, or king of the town comes from this unit. The leading chief of the section is the Ọ̀ṣọgbọ́n.
*The others are the Ùró (Okè-Ìró), which is led by the chief Sáo, the Oke-Awo (or Ao), of which the chiefs Aláwo/Aláo and Ojumu lead, and the Ùdọ̀fin (Ọ̀dọ̀fin), of which the chief Ọ̀dọ̀fin is the leader. Ọ̀dọ̀fin is also regarded as an Iare chief.
Culture
The people of Ilara Mokin celebrate many holidays. The first one is Mokin Day, which takes place in the month of November. Next is "Ọdun Ìjẹṣu" which translates as Holiday of Eating Yam, which celebrates a successful harvest.
This is celebrated in the first week of September. It is referred as "Ìjẹṣu" because the major crop grown as sold are Yams (uṣu), and it is also a staple food. During the Ijesu period, many rituals are done such as Obèrèmóyè, which consists of a whipping contest, and apoporo, a drumming and dance performed during the night.
Another festival is known as Àjàlémògún in honor of the deity Àjàlémògún, the main
orisa
Orishas (singular: orisha) are spirits that play a key role in the Yoruba religion of West Africa and several religions of the African diaspora that derive from it, such as Cuban, Dominican and Puerto Rican Santería and Brazilian Candomblé. Th ...
of Ilara-Mokin which has played a central role in the legendary history of the town. The festival, which is no longer done, consisted of carrying a large figurine representing the deity from the forest to the market in the center of the town. Many rituals, which are now frowned upon, are said to be appeasing the deity and bring peace, joy, and prosperity to the land.
Many people from Ilara still practice the traditional
Yoruba religion
The Yoruba religion (Yoruba: Ìṣẹ̀ṣe), or Isese, comprises the traditional religious and spiritual concepts and practice of the Yoruba people. Its homeland is in present-day Southwestern Nigeria, which comprises the majority of Oyo, Og ...
, and thus have the
Ògún festival in September, and also have a festival devoted to
Oshun
Ọṣun, is an orisha, a spirit, a deity, or a goddess that reflects one of the manifestations of the Yorùbá Supreme Being in the Ifá oral tradition and Yoruba-based religions of West Africa. She is one of the most popular and venerated ...
in July.
Language
The people of Ilara-Mokin speak the
Ekiti dialect of
Yoruba, most similar to the language of
Akure
Akure is a city in south-western Nigeria. It is the capital and largest city of Ondo State. The city had a population of 403,000 as at the 2006 population census.
History
Pre 1914
Rock engravings dating back to the Mesolithic period, ha ...
, and
Igbara-oke, and some closeness to the
Ado-Ekiti
Ado Ekiti is the capital city of Ekiti State, Nigeria. It is the headquarter of the Ekiti central senatorial district, southwest, Nigeria.
History
Ado Ewi is an ancient city, founded by Ewi Awamaro the son of Biritikolu. Awamaro (the restles ...
dialect.
Administration
Ilara-Mokin is ruled by the Alara (king). The current king is Oba Abiodun Aderemi Adefehinti, Agbekorun II, who has been ruling since 17 July 1998, after succeeding Alara Oba Solomon Ojopagogo Afinbiokin, Adeyeye II. Surrounding him is a cabinet a chiefs (
Olóyè), known as Ìàrẹ. The highest six of these Ìàrẹ are known as the
Ìàrẹfà (Iwarefa). While the monarchy and royal family come from the Odo-Ugbeyin quarter of Ilara-Mokin, most of the chiefs and custodians of tradition are from the Oke-Ode section.
There are also chiefs that represent the hunters, farmers, and blacksmiths.
Geography
Ilara Mokin is a fertile rich grassland and forest. It is surrounded to the north by the towns of Igbara Oke and Ero. To the south includes the towns of Isarun, Ikota, Ibule Soro, and a few miles, the Ondo State capital Akure.
Education
Primary and secondary education
*St. Michael Primary School
*The Apostolic High School
*Muslim Primary School
*Muslim Comprehensive High School
*St. Andrew's Primary School
*St. Joseph's Primary School
*The Apostolic Primary School
Universities and colleges
*Public Service Training Institute
*
Elizade University
Elizade University (E.U) is a private university in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State in Nigeria. It was founded by Micheal Ade Ojo.
Elizade University has five faculties which are Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Facult ...
Media
Radio
*
Adaba FM
Notable people
*
Michael Ade-Ojo, (b. 1938) businessman, founder of Elizade University
*
Wahab Adegbenro
Wahab Oluropo Adegbenro (5 June 1955 – 2 July 2020) was a Nigerian physician who served two terms as a commissioner for health in Ondo State, Nigeria.
Early life
Abdul-Wahab Oluropo Adegbenro was born on 5 June 1955 at Ilara-Mokin in Ifedo ...
, (1955 - 2020) Nigerian Physician and Ondo State Commissioner of Health
*
Dele Ojo, (1938 – 2018) Nigerian musician and performer, who was a prominent musician in the Juju genre of music.
Photo gallery of Ilara Mokin
File:Adebayo Court, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.jpg
File:Adebayo Court, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State3.jpg
File:Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State6.jpg
File:The Apostolic high school, Ilara mokin.jpg
File:Ilara-Mokin Traditional Musicians.jpg
File:St. Andrews Anglican Primary Anglican School, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo state.jpg
St Andrews Anglican Primary School, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State.jpg, St Andrews Anglican Primary School, Ilara Mokin
References
{{reflist
External links
Ilara – welcome to ilara mokinHome , Elizade University
Towns in Nigeria