The Spiritual Side Of Becoming Aare Ona Kakanfo?

When the news of the leader of the Odua Peoples Congress Otunba Gani Adams filtered in the air as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo, reactions have continued to trail his emergence.

In this report, Our reporter samples the Opinion of an historian, Prof Tayo Adesina and an Ibadan Senior Chief, Oloye Lekan Alabi on the emergence of the new Aare ONA Kakanfo as well as reasons why the new Aare Ona Kankanfo has to take 201 incisions known as (Gbere) in Yorubaland on his head.

The Aare Ona kankanfo was and is still a prestigious Oyo title that signifies the title holder as generalissimo or field marshal in the Oyo Empire.

An Aare Ona Kakanfo according to Yoruba history is a warlord who led battles, fought wars, mobilized and trained soldiers and conquered the enemies amongst other responsibilities.

In the Old Oyo empire,the position of Aare Ona kankanfo was an enviable one due to its role in war.

Alaafin was the only traditional ruler who can confer the title of Aare Ona kankanfo to any bonafide Yoruba son because any Kakanfo will be regarded as war lord and the defender the Oyo empire.

According to Yoruba history, 15 prominent sons of the land have emerged as Aare Ona kankanfo starting from the Kokoro Gangan of Iwoye, Oyatope of Ajase, Adeta of Jabata, Oku of Jabata and Afonja of Ilorin.

Others were Toyeje of Ogbomoso,Edun of Gbogun, Amepo of Abemo, Ojo Aburomaku of Ogbomoso who was the son of Toyeje, Aare Latoosa of Ibadan Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the then Premier of the western region, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola who earned the title in 1988 and the new one Otunba Gani Adams the national coordinator Odua People’s congress OPC.

In an interview with an Historian, Professor Tayo Adesina of University of Ibadan, he said Aare Ona kakanfo title is not fashionable but still a prestigious title in the Yoruba land.

He explained that for anybody to become Aare Ona kankanfo, he must perform some spiritual exercise which includes shaving the head after which 201 incisions also known as (Gbere ) are incisoned on the bald head with 201 different lancets, while specially prepared ingredients from 201 viols are rubbed into the cuts, one for each.

This according to Professor Adesina, the Incisions are mainly to make the Kakanfo fearless and courageous, hence the stubborn and Obstinate nature of Aare Ona kakanfos.

Also, a Veteran Broadcaster and An Ibadan Senior Chief, Oloye Lekan Alabi said the position of Aare Ona Kakanfo can best be described during the British colonialism as a Grand commander in chief of Armed forces who never loses war and comes back home with the dictum that instead of him returning, he must die at the war front.

He explained that, anybody who was selected to be Aare Ona Kakanfo must possess some outstanding qualities and must be ready to defend the interest of the Yorubas interest at anytime.

There is another allusion to this prestigious Yoruba title as in the past, the Aare Ona kakanfo had the primary responsibility of winning every war otherwise, they were expected to perish with it.

Prof Adesina said the Aare Ona kakanfo were billed to fight wars at least once in every three years.

According to Prof Adesina, it was the tenure of Ojo Aburumaku that there was no war for more than nine years but Ojo Aburumaku himself later formented trouble in his domain and perished with it.

Another accounts says Toyeje who is the 6th Aare Ona Kakanfo could have had a good end but suffered an Ignominious treatment as Onikoyi, a provincial ruler created a parallel Aare Ona Kakanfo in the person of Edun of Gbogun who later became the 7th Kakanfo.

The situation did not seem to have changed as Chief Ladoke Akintola was assassinated while protecting the interests of Yoruba land as the then western region premier and chief M.K.O Abiola died a very suspicious death while fighting for his Presidential mandate.
It is believed that the new Aare Ona kakanfo would live up to expectation especially at ensuring unity among the Yoruba race for the advancement of the region.