Olla ( ) is an ancient Igbomina town in North Central Nigeria. It is located in the southern part of Kwara State, Isin LGA. It is a small Yoruba-speaking community bordered by other Igbomina towns such as Oko-Irese and Oro-Agọ and is about 16 km from Omu-Aran.
Etymology The word Olla comes from a blend of the Yoruba words (“nominalizing prefix”) and (“to survive” or "to be saved").
According to folk etymology, Dada Arokoletiọpọn, the founder of Olla, also known by his praise name Agbẹdẹ Iyanju Ogun (), was initially a resident of Ifẹ before going on exile after he lost the struggle for the vacant throne of Ooni to his younger brother. Supposedly, when his acquaintances from Ifẹ saw him again they were astonished, to which he responded "Mo là", meaning "I survived".
Demographics
Culture
Festivals In Olla, there are several festivals that are celebrated by the residents and natives. Most of them are rooted in Yoruba culture and tradition.
Aworoko festival The Aworoko Masquerade Festival takes place every three years. It is believed by Yoruba religious practitioners to be a period when magical beings come out and interact with the people, giving them blessings of childbearing, wealth and prosperity. The masqueraders cover their entire bodies in raffia leaves and put on decorated calabash helmets. The festival involves lots of singing, dancing and offering prayers and performing rites to the Orisha (benevolent deities). It is probably the most attended festival in Olla.
Other festivals Apart from the Aworoko festival, other festivals held in Olla from time to time include the: Egungun Festival New Yam Festival (Ọdun Ijẹṣu) Sango Festival Ogun Festival
Traditional rulers The ruler of Olla community is referred to as the Ọlọla of Olla. His Royal Majesty, Prof. Stephen Billy Olajide, ascended the throne of Olla as the Ọlọla in August 2017, becoming the 18th recorded monarch to lead the ancient Kingdom of Olla.
According to customs, Olla community has four major ruling houses of Iketa, Odi(Odi), Ariko and Osigiri (Odo Omi). The passing of the Oba title rotates in that order. Following is the list of the Obas according to their tenure of office and their house hold in order. There is no recorded date for the first eight ancient kings.
Name & Title of Ọba Year Ruling House 1 Ọba Owaniuntan Ollaniunkanmamo Owa 2 Ọba Ajimuda Baba Owa 3 Ọba Alalarugba Aseja ni Mowo Mowo 4 Ọba Alokoniwo Alere Ariko-Okoose 5 Ọba Ayomoniyan Olodokoayika Adawofa Iketa-Ilaro 6 Ọba Odundun Asodedero Osupaniwaborun Odi-Eyin Ita 7 Ọba Oporomoso Abiti 8 Ọba Asaakubi Ojo Odi-Odo Abata 9 Ọba Aporokubi Ogun 1743–1799 Ariko-Eyigbo 10 Ọba Alekunlogba Inaromiku 1799–1878 Ariko-Ewere 11 Ọba Agokerosu Agboluaje 1850–1878* Iketa-Ododi 12 Ọba Amillogba Aroyinkole Osakunrin 1879–1889 Odi-Okesedo 13 Ọba Omolekeoro Omopariola 1889–1929 Ariko-Agamo 14 Ọba Ariyunkeye Apamorisegbo II 1929–1935 Abiti 15 Ọba Eyidunmoye Eminkafolawe II 1936–1945 Iketa-Ododi 16 Ọba Iṣọla Arojojoye 1945–1989 Odi-Iloba 17 Ọba Evang. J.A Ajayi Ilufemiloye Orimadegun I 26/12/1990-3/9/2013 Ariko-Agamo 18 Ọba Prof. Stephen Billy Olajide 2017–Present
See also
List of villages in Kwara State
References