You cannot discuss Yoruba mythology without mentioning the Old Great Oyo Empire. The empire was one with several stories surrounding it such as being the chosen place for many notable gods and warriors of Yoruba Kingdom.
Ga on the other hand, according to history was a powerful warrior feared across the olden-day Oyo (Oyo-Ile). He was believed to wield potent charms and supernatural powers which made him impenetrable.
Reign of Bashorun Ga
Bashorun Gaa was an integral part of the Old Oyo Empire’s royal politics. His time as a Prime Minister of the Old Oyo Empire was during the 17th/18th century.
Alaafin Labisi who took over the throne from Alaafin Onisile, in mid mid-18th century appointed Gaa, Bashorun. The reason wasn’t far-fetched. Gaa was a warrior feared in the entire kingdom. Appointing him head of the Oyo Mesi (the Oyo council of Kingmakers) will help his reign and enable him to earn the respect of other kingdoms in Yorubaland.
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The unwritten constitution gave Gas a final say in the nomination of the new Alaafin. He soon became so powerful that his powers rivaled that of the Alaafin. His quest for power turned him against those who supported him against the Alaafin tyranny.
Gaa committed numerous unspeakable crimes against the kings and the people during the Yoruba pre-colonial era. History has it that he supervised and executed the death of four Alaafins in quick succession. He went on to unconstitutionally hijack all the political power and machinery of the Oyo kingdom down to divert all homages, respects, and material benefits of the kings.
The downfall of Bashorun Ga
Bashorun Gaa became too powerful and like everyone who became too powerful, plots were weaved to end him. His end came during the reign of Alaafin Abiodun after he murdered Agbonyin, the Alaafin’s only daughter who was married to him.
While one version of history stated Bashorun Gaa killed the Alaafin’s daughter for ritual, another version stated that he ordered his men to kill her because she bore a similar name to Agbonrin (deer).
According to the story version, Bashorun Gaa required the animal for a ritual to strengthen his mystical powers. When he couldn’t find one at the time, he ordered that his wife, the Alaafin’s daughter who bore a similar name, Agbonrin be slaughtered instead, the climax of his atrocities.
The Crushing of the Old Oyo System
An established myth suggests that Gaa’s fall came because of an uprising of the supposedly oppressed masses across the empire. However, there was little evidence to support that claim.
Contrary to the claim, Gaa’s end came from the hand of Alaafin Abiodun who heartbroken by his daughter’s death plotted with the Onikoyi and the then Are-Ona-Kakanfo, Oyabi from Ajaseland.
History has it that Bashorun Gaa was dragged out and incinerated publicly at Akesan market to prevent his reincarnation. However, with Gaa’s death came the fall of the Old Oyo Empire.
The military and political strength of the Old Oyo Empire diminished and the then king became a tyrant. This was because the Oyomesi who was supposed to keep the Alaafin in check became his puppet instead.
References:
* E. Ola Abiola; A Textbook Of West African History; 3rd edition; Ado Ekiti; Omolayo Standard Press & Bookshops co. (Nig.) Ltd; 1984
Cite this article as: Teslim Omipidan. (August 26, 2018). The Reign of Bashorun Gaa in Old Oyo Empire. OldNaija. Retrieved from https://oldnaija.com/2018/08/26/the-reign-of-bashorun-gaa-in-old-oyo-empire/
