When Dahomey threatened Oyo, the Alaafin summoned Prince Adeyemi to join the army. His bravery and success in battle earned him a beaded crown and the appointment as the first Onisaga of Isaga, with the royal appellation “Obaseru”.

An Ogboni House, known as Obaseru, was built over his shrine, and he is still worshipped there today.

Oba Adeyemi Obaseru had four wives, each founding a ruling house:

1. Alayan – Mother: Efunsiyan

2. Arapapatira – Mother: Olatomi

3. Oloje – Mother: Jolade

4. Okogan – Mother: Ileola

Succession to the throne rotates among these four ruling houses to this day.

In 1851, the Dahomean army under King Gezo camped at Isaga. Fearing destruction, Oba Asade Okogan I and the chiefs befriended them. Gezo revealed his plans to attack the Egbas, but Isaga, loyal to the Egbas, tricked the Dahomeans into changing their attack time from night to noon and directed them to the heavily fortified Aro Gate of Abeokuta.
A secret messenger warned the Egbas, who defeated the Dahomean forces.

On March 15, 1862, King Gelele, Gezo’s son, launched a revenge attack. Isaga was destroyed; over 100 people, including missionaries and Oba Asade Okogan I, were killed, and 4,000 captives were taken to Dahomey. Survivors fled to Abeokuta, Irogun, Ilaro, Ado-Odo, Ota, Iju Isaga, Isaga Tedo (in Lagos State), and other areas.
In 1855, Isaga’s population had been estimated at 20,000 (History of Southern Nigeria by Talbot).

SOCIO-POLITICAL STRUCTURE

Isaga is organized into Agbole (compounds), currently numbering 20, including Agbole Oba, Isale Oja, Oke Apena, Agbaakin, Ayetoro, Ago Alaafia, Araromi, and others.

Kingship and Selection Process

Traditional Method: The Ifa oracle was consulted by chiefs, led by the Oluwo, to select a suitable candidate.

Modern Method: The Local Government notifies the ruling house whose turn it is to present a candidate. The ruling house nominates a candidate, the Kingmakers approve, and the State Government grants final approval (with the consent of the Alake of Egbaland).
The candidate undergoes a three-month seclusion (Ipebi) before being crowned at the Obaseru Shrine by the Osorun chief.

Current Onisaga of Isaga Orile isHRH Oba Joseph Oladele Olusoji Tella Arapapatira II

By Prince Tunde Tella

OBASERU AND THE FOUR RULING HOUSES

Obaseru, founder of Isaga, became its first king after receiving a beaded crown from the Alaafin of Oyo, who was impressed by his exploits.
Obaseru had many children from four wives, each establishing a ruling house:

1. ALAYAN – Mother: Efunsiyan

2. OKUNADE ARAPAPATIRA – Mother: Olatomi

3. SALAKO OLOJE – Mother: Jolade

4. ASADE OKOGAN – Mother: Ileola

These remain the four ruling houses of Isaga-Orile to this day.

THE DAHOMEAN INVASION OF 1862

During the reign of Asade Okogan in 1862, Dahomean forces attacked Isaga, killing many residents, including the Oba. This was part of the broader Egba–Dahomey conflicts in which Isaga, despite its ties to the Egba, became a victim.

SOCIO-POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS IN ISAGA

Compounds (Agbole)

ISAGA IS DIVIDED INTO 20 COMPOUNDS:

1. Agbole Oba

2. Agbole Baale

3. Isale Oja

4. Isale Odofin

5. Oke Apena

6. Agbaakin

7. Abobado

8. Ayetoro

9. Marigbe

10. Oke Sipa

11. Ago Alaafia

12. Agbole Arusa

13. Agbole Abore

14. Agbole Adele

15. Araromi

16. Agbole Banle

17. Ile Asaju

18. Obajio

19. Ago Ohori

20. Jagun-Oje

Past Method: Chiefs, led by the Oluwo and Oluwo Ifa, consulted the oracle to choose a candidate from the appropriate ruling house. There were no designated kingmakers in the earliest period.

Modern Method:

1. Local Government writes to the ruling house whose turn it is.

2. The ruling house nominates a candidate acceptable to all members.

3. Kingmakers approve and forward the name to the State Government.

4. Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs gives final approval, with the consent of the Alake of Egbaland.

5. The candidate spends up to three months in seclusion (Ipebi).

6. Before dawn, the Osorun crowns the new Oba at the Obaseru Shrine/Hall.

7. The State Government representative presents the staff of office the same day.

KINGMAKERS IN ISAGA:

Ogboni Section – Adele, Oluwo, Osorun, Agbaakin, Odofin, Apena (6 members)

Olorogun Section – Balogun, Otun Balogun, Jagunna, Bada (4 members)

COMPARISON TO OYO

Isaga’s ancestry traces back to Oyo, but its chieftaincy structure differs from Oyo’s Oyomesi.

Oyo’s seven kingmakers: Bashorun, Bada, Agbaakin, Akiniku, Samu, Asipa, Alapinni.

Only three titles match Isaga’s: Bada, Agbaakin, and Bashorun (called Osorun in Isaga).

In Oyo, Bashorun leads Oyomesi, while the Oluwo heads the Ogboni cult.

In Isaga, Adele is head of all chiefs; Osorun crowns the Oba.

Regent role: Adele serves as regent when an Oba dies.

OTHER TITLES HAVE DIFFERENT ROLES IN ISAGA:

Alapinni – Leads Egungun cult

Asipa – Messenger/information carrier among chiefs

Titles like Samu and Akiniku do not exist in Isaga.

CHIEFTAINCY SECTIONS IN ISAGA

OLOROGUN SECTION – MILITARY TITLES

Includes Balogun, Otun Balogun, Jagunna, Bada, Otun Bada, Osi Balogun, Seriki, Are-Ago, Asaaju, Sarumi, Akogun, Akinyegun, Akinlagun, Akinrogun, Olukotun, Are-Onibon, Are Ona Kakanfo.

Includes Adele, Oluwo, Apena, Osorun, Odofin, Agbaakin, Apesin, Baasala, Asalu, Aro, Baala, Baase, Baamokun, Baagbimo, Banekan, Onlado, Asawo, Baajito, Ekerin, Olofin, Baariyun, Baagbile, Baadu, Baamolu, Ontoye, Baajiki, Osolo, Baayinbo, Bantun, Sagbami, Lisa, Ojumo, Saatun, Baaye.

PARAKOYI SECTION – COMMERCE AND MARKET AFFAIRS

Includes Olori Aje, Okanlomo, Ogboye, Asero, Mayegun, Babalaje, Seriki Aje, Jagunna Aje.

WOMEN’S SECTION – FEMALE LEADERSHIP

Includes Iyalode, Yeye Oba, Otun Iyalode, Osi Iyalode, Iyaloja, Nika, Ekerin Iyalode, Iyamokun, Iyalaje, Mojibade, Iyalase.

OLORO SECTION – HUNTING AND FOREST MATTERS

Includes Eleeti, Ajana, Otun Ajana, Elemo, Oloremo, Abore, Are, Otun Are, Oga-Ode.

ELEGUNGUN SECTION – Egungun festival custodians

Includes Alapinni, Alaagba, Otun Alaagba.

Egungun Festival Tradition

The Egungun Festival in Isaga is marked by the frying of akara (bean cakes).
Tradition dictates that the Alaagba, Atokun, and Iya Agan fry the first batch before anyone else. This custom continues today.

OGBONI INSTITUTION IN ISAGA

In Isaga, as in other parts of Yorubaland, there is a distinction between:

Joining the Ogboni Cult – Voluntary, involves initiation and adherence to secret rites.

Holding an Ogboni Chieftaincy Title – Appointment by the Oba and chiefs, related to justice and governance.

Historically, Ogboni were second in rank only to the Oba, followed by Olorogun and Parakoyi chiefs.
Today, dispute settlement in Isaga is carried out by any available chief, regardless of section.