A BRIEF HISTORY OF ATAOJA OF OSOGBO
Origins of Osogbo
The history of Osogbo dates back to the 1670s. To begin from a logical point, one must start the history of this noble land with the origins and generations of people that have shaped it into what it is today.
Owa Laage was the 6th Owaroki of Ipole Omu. He had three children: Lajomo (the eldest), Larooye, and Sogbodede (the youngest). Lajomo succeeded his father as the 7th Owaroki of Ipole Omu. Upon Lajomo’s death, his younger brother Larooye succeeded him as the 8th Owaroki of Ipole Omu.
During Larooye’s reign, the town experienced a prolonged drought. A hunter from Oyo, Olutimehin, who was a friend of Larooye, discovered a stream during one of his hunting expeditions. He rushed back to Ipole Omu to inform Larooye of his discovery. Larooye, upon hearing this, immediately proceeded to the stream with Olutimehin, which is now known as the Osun River in present-day Osogbo, and confirmed Olutimehin’s discovery.
Larooye conducted a series of consultations and divinations, and when the results favored the migration of his kingdom to the newly discovered settlement, he decided to move his territory. He moved to Osogbo with his younger brother Sogbodede, while the descendants of Lajomo refused to move. This is why none of Lajomo’s descendants have ever become Ataoja of Osogbo because their father never ruled in Osogbo.
