BRIEF HISTORY OF AYÈS.

BRIEF HISTORY OF AYÈS.

About 800 A.D., Odùduwà, the progenitor of the Yorùbá race and civilization established Ifẹ̀ dynasty.
The first was Ife Oodaiye, Ile Owuro (the land of the most ancient days where the dawn was first experienced). Tradition tells us that this Ife ended as a result of a flood. The survivors formed the nucleus of the second Ife, Ife Ooyelagbo (Ife, the city of survivors) this existed until the arrival of elements from the east whose attempt to seize power led to a bloody struggle between Oduduwa and Obatala. Oduduwa conquered and founded Ile-Ife (Ife of peace).

Elefon-Erekoseju been part of the sixteen principal Elu-Orisha that came with Oduduwa,Obatala,Osangangan-Obamakin,Olokun,Obameri,Yemo, Ogun-Oshoosi etc married to one of Arole Oduduwa’s (Obalufon Ogbogbodinrin) daughter and begat Òdúdú-Ọ̀runkú (the first Oba Alaaye) the grandson of Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Obalufon.

Òdúdú-Ọ̀runkú (the first Obalaaye)the grandson of Ooni Obalufon was the progenitor of all “AYÈS” or Alaayes

It was said that when Òdúdú-Ọ̀runkú (Obalaaye)was a little boy, Ọ̀ọ̀ni Ọbalúfòn Ógbógbódirin was fond of him and he often displays his affection towards him by letting him sit on his lap. Consequently, at about 950 A.D., the fourth Ọ̀ọ̀ni ̀of Ifẹ̀, Ọbalúfòn Ógbógbódirin carved out a territory named “ÌRÁYÈ”, the site of the present town of MODÁKẸ́KẸ́, and made his beloved son, ODÙDÙ Ọ̀RUNKÚN (Obalaaye) the overlord and the “ALÁYÈ OF IRAYE”.

Whenever ALÁYÈ play host to the Ọ̀Ọ̀Ọ̀NI of Ifẹ̀, it is a customary practice for the ALÁYÈ to sit on Ọ̀Ọ̀NI’S lap. Similarly, whenever the Ọ̀ọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀ plays host to ALÁYÈ – the ALÁYÈ is not made to follow protocol at the palace of Ọ̀ọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀, he is given a free rein.

Obalaaye has thirteen rulling houses in Ile-Ife till date and he established ninety-two towns under his jurisdiction.

(I) IRAYE COMPOUNDS IN IFE

1. Ilé Agunloye- Okerewe Quarters
2. Ilé Lukohun- Iremo Quarters
3. Ilé Jagudu- Okerewe Quarters
4. Ilé Lanase- Iremo Quarters
5. Ilé Keku- Okerewe Quarters
6. Ilé Roko Okesoda- Okerewe Quarters
7. Ilé Abatabutu- Iremo Quarters
8. Ilé Laniyan- Iremo Quarters
9. Ilé Roko Iremo- Iremo Quarters
10. Ilé Osin- Okerewe Quarters
11. Ilé Onidubi- Ilode Quarters
12. Ilé Obalaaye Ajupepe- Iremo Quarters
13. Ilé Kata- Okerewe Quarters

(II) THE AYÈS OR IRAYE PEOPLE CAN BE FOUND IN-:

*Efon-Alaaye

*Ekiti: Ejiyan Ekiti,
Ipoti Ekiti,
Aayè Ekiti,
Irapora Ekiti etc

*Apomu Osun State

*Badagry

*Ogun State-Remo etc

*(l)Ogbomoso: Descendants of Alaaye Adelalu were Alaaye of Idiigba Ogbomoso and four Alaayes at IWO OSUN STATE

(II)Descendants of Alaaye Ola-Olunagun were Alaaye Oja and Alaaye Asungbalawin all in Ogbomoso

*Ejigbo: Alaaye Isoko Ejigbo Local government Osun State

*Ghana

*Kwara: kajola, Omu-aran

*Ikorodu : Iraye

*Iraye Ondo

ETC