Ipetumodu and the Nineteen Century Yoruba War

During the Owu War (1812-1822), Isope and Iwaro, two Ipetumodu villages, were attacked thereby causing the Exodus of many people. It was after the war that the two villages were rebuilt. Ipetumodu witnessed the arrival of large number of war refugees from Apomu during the Gbanamu war.^[9] The refugees deserted their town in order to escape the impending invasion by the Ibadan army. The people of Ipetumodu repelled most of the military advances of the Ibadan into their territory.^[10]

Hukuhuku war

Between 1839 and 1848, Ipetumodu had its own share of the Fulani attack on Yorubaland. A Mohammedan at Iwo called Mohomi invited the Fulanis of Ilorin to extend their conquest to the towns of Eastern districts of Yorubaland.^[10] The Fulani secretly entered ipetumodu from Osogbo end and succeeded in killing several people including the military head of Ipetumodu, balogun Adewusi. So tough was the invasion that the reigning Apetumodu, Oba Folasade Ajiga, with many chiefs and families fled to Ile-Ife for safety.^[5][9] He died in Ile-Ife in 1842. It was Lafiani popular known as “Arakatampo pa Hukuhuku” (He who used crossbows to kill Hukuhuku) that led the remnants of the Ipetumodu warriors to dislodge the Fulani marauders from Ipetumodu.^[9] After the Fulani marauders were dislodged from Ipetumodu, Oba Olakanmi Okoro Giesi succeeded Oba Folashade Ajiga as the Apetumodu and he was responsible for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged town.^[7][2][4]

The 1886 Peace Treaty

The 1886 peace treaty initiated by the British to put an end to the Yoruba civil strife also had some traumatic effects on Ipetumodu. The treaty had stipulated that Modakeke, who had been at constant wars with their fellow Ife host, would be resettled temporarily in Ipetumodu, Moro and Edunabon and other Origbo towns before their final resettlement by the Osun-Odo Oba confluence between Iwo and Ibadan.^[11]

The British authorities however, failed to implement the treaty to the letter early enough and on the 27th of March, 1909, some Modakeke refugees settled in Owu Ipole, Gbongan, Edunabon, Ede, Lasole and Akanle while many others led by the reigning Ogunsua settled in Ode Omu (which was Originally part of the farmland of Ipetumodu people). On Sunday, 18 July 1909, the Modakekes suddenly and surreptitiously displaced the Ipetumodu farmers who had gone to celebrate the annual "Egungun festival" from their farms.

The British authorities later endorsed the permanent settlement of Modakeke refugees on Ipetumodu land without any compensation.^[12]

Political History

Between 1943 and 1947, Ipetumodu belonged to the Origbo People's Assembly which was represented by six members, which happened to be the highest number in the assembly. The assembly was later changed to Origbo Subordinate Native Authority in 1948 and it lasted till 1954.^[13] Ipetumodu had nine out of the twenty members that were made up of the Authority. From 1955 to 1966, ipetumodu was the headquarters of one of the four components of the Ife Divisional Council then known as Ipetumodu Local Council the council consists of thirty members of which twenty-one members are from Ipetumodu, four members from Asipa, three members from Akinlalu while two members are from Yakooyo. Six members from Ipetumodu Local Council could represent it at the Ife Division Council level.^[14]

In 1980, Governor Bola Ige, the then Governor of Oyo state grouped Origbo towns as Oranmiyan Local Government Area with headquarters in Ipetumodu. However, the local government was phased out during the regime of Mohammodu Buhari. In the year 1989, the Ife North Local government was created and Ipetumodu has been the headquarters since then.^[15]

Egungun Festival

Some citizens of the town continue to practice the traditional religion, and there are traditional events to remember it. Although some of the celebrations are considered cultural rather than religious. The egungun festival is one of the celebrations. Every year in July/August, the festival lasts seven days unless there is a reason for another seven-day extension.^[23] On the last day of the festival, all of the masquerades gather in Ipetumodu Market Square (in front of the Apetumodu palace) to entertain the crowd.^[24] The Apetumodu and his chiefs will greet them and perform the ceremonial blessing.

Edi Festival

One of the celebrations employed in Ipetumodu for preventive, therapeutic, protective, and productive purposes is the Edi festival. The festival is used to commemorate a courageous woman called Moremi.^[25] Moremi was a brave patriot who risked her life to preserve the people of Ile-Ife (the birthplace of the Edi festival) from the constant raids of an outside group known as the "Igbos".^[26] The Edi festival of Ipetumodu is one of the testimonies of the close relationship between Ile-Ife and Ipetumodu and also confirms the fact that the city is not a newly established city. Edi festival is usually presided over by the Apetumodu and his chief priest, - Apena of Ipetumodu.^[27]

Traditionally in Ipetumodu the entire Edi festival lasts for seven days, and on designated days the Apetumodu, chiefs and other worshipers gather in the palace grounds at 8:00 in the morning to mark the opening of the Edi.^[25] The chief priest who is the sole custodian of the opa, removed it from the shrine after an initial brief ritual observance.