AKURE: WHO HAS THE BEAD CUT? The Coming of Alakure and Asodeboyede

AKURE: WHO HAS THE BEAD CUT?
The Coming of Alakure and Asodeboyede

There’s a misconception about the cutting of beads that led to the name AKURE. It’s time to set the record straight.

Before Asodeboyede left his domain in Inamu near Ife, Akure existed with Omoloju as its Head. However, Akure was not united under him; it was divided into four quarters: Odopetu, Igan, Ipalefa, and Ileru.

In the beginning, there was a man named Owuro (O’urokutu), a hunter who came from Epe, near Ondo, to hunt and farm in a bush now known as Odopetu. Owuro didn’t plan to return to his village, causing concern among his people. They sent his sibling, Omoloju, to check on him. Omoloju found Owuro, stayed awhile, and returned to Epe.

After some time, Omoloju returned to Akure but found Owuro in Ogbe, Oda. He eventually met up with his brother, and they spent 21 months together in Odopetu before Omoloju fell ill. Odopetu took him to Igbo Alakure for treatment, a place named after him, located near the Baptist Church beside Toyin Bookshop at Ipalefa.

When Omoloju recovered, he and his people built their shelter at the current Igan location. Both Owuro and Omoloju served as heads of their people before Asodeboyede’s arrival.

Omoloju wore beads given by their father, the Baale of Epe. One day, while working, a bead cut, and he exclaimed, “Akun mi re!” (“My beads cut!”). This led to the name Akun-re, later pronounced AKURE.

Let it be noted that it was Omoloju Alakure that has his bead cut and not Asodeboyede

THE COMING OF ASODEBOYEDE

Omoremilekun (Asodeboyede) journeyed from Inamu near Ife with his people. Before his arrival, Akure existed but wasn’t united, and Omoloju was the overall Head, though not yet called Alakure.

Ajapada Asodeboyede got to Akure according to Ifa divination. It has been foretold that he would settle in a place where he would k!ll an elephant. That place was the present junction leading to Odojoka beside Araromi junction.

Asodeboyede arrived, and a battle ensued between him and Omoloju. The elders in Akure, including Odopetu, persuaded Omoloju to yield to Asodeboyede, who came with a beaded crown, making him the more suitable king. Ajapada, another name for Asodeboyede, was crowned the first king (1150-1180) due to his prowess and the beaded crown he possessed. He was named Asodeboyede (“A hunter who came with royalty”).

Asodeboyede amalgamated the four quarters: Odopetu, Igan, Ipalefa, and Ileru, uniting them to become one Akure. He reigned for 30 years. After his transition, Omoloju became the 2nd King, titled Alakure, reigning for 20 years (1180-1200). The kingship rotated between their descendants, with Ogbolu (1200-1225), son of Asodeboyede, and Odoro (1225-1245), son of Alakure, following. That was how it continued until the generation of Alakure went into extinction.

Detailed story of Ajapada Asodeboyede will be told in full another day.