This September marks 138 years since the end of the Kiriji War, a civil war that changed Yoruba land. The fight lasted 16 years and included almost 400,000 men.
Despite the passage of time, stories from this war are passed down through generations. They describe the bravery, tactics, and inventiveness of ancient Yoruba warriors who demonstrated military capability comparable to global norms.
The Kiriji War was more than a war for domination; it was a conflict motivated by the yearning for freedom, equality, and a brighter future for the people.
The Kiriji War is commonly known as the Ibadan-Ekiti Parapo War, however practically every sub-ethnic group in the Yoruba country was involved. The war spread throughout the region, from Ijebu, which supplied arms to Ekiti forces, to communities in modern-day Togo and Benin that supported Ibadan.
Even the Yoruba of Kogi State were sucked into the battle, with each side aligning themselves based on their interests. It was a battle of strength, class, and ambition, with the Ibadan military juggernaut vying for control over lands and people while others struggled for independence.
By the nineteenth century, Ibadan had developed into a formidable military empire with authority over broad areas in Sub-Saharan Africa. The city’s rulers attempted to strengthen their position, frequently at the expense of neighboring towns and villages.
However, the masses, common people, traders, and local leaders had become tired of this overreach, paving the way for a protracted civil war pitting the elite military class against citizens yearning for freedom.
The tactics and strategies employed during the Kiriji War were anything but average. Yoruba warriors excelled at military intelligence, espionage, and strategic exploitation of their natural environment. Ibadan’s army, for example, was known to employ attractive ladies as spies.
These women would infiltrate enemy camps disguised as traders, gaining the trust of soldiers and commanders before providing important information to their superiors. In some cases, they even married enemy officers to maintain their access to military secrets.
Ekiti Parapo soldiers, on the other hand, hired skilled hunters to function as scouts. These hunters, armed with trained dogs and local expertise, would sneak into enemy camps during the night to acquire intelligence without being spotted. They would bring back critical information regarding Ibadan’s forces’ movements and plans, frequently swaying the battle balance in favor of the Ekiti Alliance.
Yoruba warriors were also profoundly connected to nature, relying on animals and plants to anticipate combat outcomes. A bird’s whistle, the abrupt flight of a group of seagulls, or the behavior of a restless dog all had deep importance for these ancient troops.
These insights helped them anticipate the enemy’s moves and change their tactics accordingly.
Before a great conflict, pigeons were frequently released into the air. If they flew high and free, it was a sign of success. If they paused or circled back, it was a dismal warning that defeat or huge fatalities were imminent. Dogs, too, played an important role.
A dog that barked aggressively was seen as a good omen, indicating that the warriors would battle bravely and triumphantly. A dog who cried or became timid foreshadowed tragedy.
Plants, particularly trees such as the venerated Iroko, played an important role in Yoruba military strategy. Soldiers would carefully monitor the movements of leaves and branches prior to battle. A robust, swaying Iroko tree indicated that triumph was near, whereas a still, immovable tree predicted defeat.
This strong connection to nature was more than simply superstition; it reflected the Yoruba’s grasp of their surroundings and ability to use it to their advantage.
Spirituality was important to their fighting. Throughout the fight, Ile-Ife remained the spiritual headquarters, while Ibadan and Okemesi served as military training and strategic planning hubs. This combination of physical and spiritual preparation made Yoruba warriors deadly opponents.
