Ṣíṣí aṣọ lójú eégún àdììtú ẹ̀dá Ọjọmu ńlá (Jọmọn ílá): ìrìnàjò akọni ní ìlú Oǹdó: Unravelling the mystique of ọjọmu ńlá (jọmọn ílá): a hero’s journey in oǹdó kingdom

Morónmúbọ̀ Martina AKINSELI; Mercy Ayọ̀ FASEHUN

Authors

Morónmúbọ̀ Martina AKINSELI Federal College of Education, Ọ̀síẹ̀lẹ̀ Abẹ́òkúta
Mercy Ayọ̀ FASEHUN Adéyẹmí Federal University of Education, Oǹdó , Nigeria

Keywords:

Ọjọmu Ńlá, ìlú Oǹdó, Lááríjà àṣà, Oríkì, Àdììtú Akọni

Abstract

Ọjọmu Ńlá jẹ́ ògbóǹtarìgì, àdììtú akọni tí ó ní ipa pàtàkì nínú àṣà àti ìṣe ìlú Oǹdó. Iṣẹ́ yìí ṣe àfihàn iṣẹ́ ribiribi tí akọni yìí ṣe àti ipa mánigbàgbé tí ó kó ní ìlú Oǹdó ní ìgbà ayé rẹ̀. Onírúurú ìtàn ni a gbọ́ nípa Ọjọmu Ńlá gẹ́gẹ́ bí akínkanjú ọkùnrin. Gbogbo ẹ̀bùn tí Ẹlẹ́dàá fi jogún fún un yìí kò fi gbọ́ ti ara rẹ̀ nìkan, ṣùgbọ́n ó lò ó láti gba Oǹdó là lọ́wọ́ gbogbo àwọn tí ó gbógun tì í ní àkókò kan. Ìdí tí iṣẹ́ yìí fi ṣe pàtàkì ni pé a ti máa ń gbọ́ nípa àwọn akọni ilẹ̀ Yorùbá lọ́kan-ò-jọ̀kan bẹ́ẹ̀ ni a sì ti ń kà nípa wọn ṣùgbọ́n a ri wí pé Ọjọmu Ńlá kò gbajúmọ̀ láàrin àwọn akọni ilẹ̀ Yorùbá bí ó ti yẹ. Ipò pàtàkì ni ó yẹ kí Ọjọmu Ńlá wà láàrin àwọn akọni ilẹ̀ Yorùbá ṣùgbọ́n kò rí bẹ́ẹ̀ nítorí pé kò sí àkọsílẹ̀ púpọ̀ nípa rẹ̀ èyí tí kò fún àwọn alákadá láyè láti ṣe iṣẹ́ nípa rẹ̀ kí ó ba lè di ìlúmọ̀ká àti gbajúgbajà akọni ní ilẹ̀ Yorùbá. Àlàfo tí ó ṣí sílẹ̀ yìí ni iṣẹ́ yìí fẹ́ dí. Tíọ́rì ìrìnàjò akọnikùnrin (Mono-myth theory) tí Joseph Campbell ṣe agbátẹrù rẹ̀ ni a fi ṣe àtẹ̀gùn, a ṣe àtúpalẹ̀ tí ó lóòrìn lórí oríkì Ọjọmu Ńlá, àṣà àti ìṣe ìlú Oǹdó tí ó ní í ṣe pẹ̀lú rẹ̀. Ìtàn àtẹnudẹ́nu, ìrànlọ́wọ́ àwọn abẹ́nà ìmọ̀ láti ìdílé Ọjọmu ní ìlú Oǹdó àti àwọn àkọsílẹ̀ tí ó wà ní àrọ́wọ́tó nípa akọni yìí, a sì fa kòmóòkun Ọjọmu Ńlá bí akọni ní ìlú Oǹdó yọ. A tún ṣe ìfọ̀rọ̀wánilẹ́nuwò fún àwọn òpìtàn ìlú Oǹdó láti mọ̀ nípa akíkanjú Ọjọmu Ńlá. Iṣẹ́ yìí ṣe àfikún lórí àwàjinlẹ̀ ìmọ̀ nípa pàtàkì àwọn akọni nínú ìṣe àti ìdánimọ̀ àwùjọ kan. Bákan náà, ó ṣe àfihàn pàtàkì ìdáàbòbò àṣà àtẹnudẹ́nu àti ìtàn àdáyébá wa tí ó jẹ́ àmù ìmọ̀ àdáyébá. Lákòótán, iṣẹ́ yìí yóò fi kún ìjìnlẹ̀ òye àti ìmọ̀ nípa àwọn ará ìlú Oǹdó, ìwúlò àwọn akọni ìgbàanì àti ìwúlò àwọn ìtàn àtijọ́ ní òde-òní.

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Ọjọmu Ńlá, a legendary and mystical figure in Oǹdó Kingdom, embodies the mystique of heroism and significance. This paper explores his heroic deeds, bravery, wisdom and selflessness, embodying the values highly esteemed in Oǹdó culture. His exploits, as recorded in folklore, is a testament to his exceptional strength and courage, reflecting the cultural ideal that underpins Oǹdó society. Ọjọmu Ńlá faced trials, fought wars, achieved decisive victory, returned transformed and brought peace to the Oǹdó community. However, works on Ọjọmu Ńlá as a hero in Yorùbá studies has not been explored like that of other popular heroes and heroine in Yorùbáland. It is only limited to the Oǹdó history and traditions. Ọjọmu Ńlá is popular majorly among the Oǹdó people. This makes it a virgin land in the study of Yorùbá history and heroes, which should not be so considering his heroic deeds in Oǹdó Kingdom. It is important that he is placed properly among his equals and that exactly is one of the thrusts of this paper. Using monomyth theory proposed by Joseph Campbell for a critical analysis of oral traditions, cultural practices, historical accounts, and Literature, this research examines the significance of Ọjọmu Ńlá heroism in the Oǹdó Kingdom’s heritage. Primary data were elicited from five key informants (two local historians, one title holder, one priest and a son from Ọjọmu dynasty). Relevant archival materials were also consulted. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of mythical heroes in shaping a community’s identity and values. It highlights the importance of preserving oral traditions and folklore, which serve as a repository of cultural knowledge and values. The study also provides insights into the Oǹdó Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage and the enduring legacy of its mythical heroes, demonstrating the relevance of folklore in contemporary times.

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Author Biographies

Morónmúbọ̀ Martina AKINSELI , Federal College of Education, Ọ̀síẹ̀lẹ̀ Abẹ́òkúta

is a Nigerian scholar of Yoruba Language and Literature, a Chief Lecturer at the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, current Dean, School of Secondary Education (Languages) and Chairman, Committee of Deans.She earned her B.A. from the University of Ilorin, M.A. and PhD in Yoruba Literature from the University of Ibadan, and a PGDE from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Her research and teaching for over 30 years have centered on Yoruba culture, identity, language conservation, and drama.Dr. Akinseli is a prolific author with significant contributions to scholarship nationally and internationally. She has authored and co-authored books including Yoruba for Beginners (2026), Sẹ Ori Ni? (2024), Alamala Ibadan (2018), Ọ̀rẹ́ Mi (2013) and Òkété (2008). She also co-authored the 13-book Àko̩tun Èdè Yorùbá series for primary and junior secondary schools. Her work appears widely in chapters and journals like Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, Scientific Research Journal (SciRJ), FUNNAB Journals, and chapters in Culture and Customs of the Yoruba published by Pan-African University Press, Texas. She has presented papers at international conferences including the Annual Africa Conference, University of Texas, Austin, and IJAS Conferences in Germany. A Vice President of Ẹgbẹ́ Omoran Yoruba and member of YSAN, she has received multiple leadership and academic excellence awards.

Mercy Ayọ̀ FASEHUN , Adéyẹmí Federal University of Education, Oǹdó , Nigeria

is an Associate Professor in the Department of Yorùbá, Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Oǹdó. She holds both MA and PhD degrees in Yorùbá Literature from premiere University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She is a member of Ẹgbẹ́-Onímọ̀ Èdè Yorùbá (Yorùbá Studies Association of Nigeria (YSAN) and Ẹgbẹ́ Ọ̀mọ̀ràn Èdè Yorùbá (Association of Yorùbá Language Scholars). Her academic background, teaching and research interests include Yorùbá literature and culture. Her research work focuses on indigenous performances of Ọ̀ràmfẹ̀, Ògún and Ọba festivals of Oǹdó Kingdom. Her articles on Yorùbá literature and culture have been published in IOSL Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSR – JHSS), International Journal of Sustainable Development and reputable books within and outside Nigeria. She has made academic presentations at local and international conferences.

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Ṣíṣí aṣọ lójú eégún àdììtú ẹ̀dá Ọjọmu ńlá (Jọmọn ílá): ìrìnàjò akọni ní ìlú Oǹdó

Unravelling the mystique of ọjọmu ńlá (jọmọn ílá): a hero’s journey in oǹdó kingdom

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Author Biographies

Morónmúbọ̀ Martina AKINSELI , Federal College of Education, Ọ̀síẹ̀lẹ̀ Abẹ́òkúta

Mercy Ayọ̀ FASEHUN , Adéyẹmí Federal University of Education, Oǹdó , Nigeria

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