In the 1600s A.D., during the reign of Alaafin Sango in Oyo Ile, a courageous and spirited hunter named OLUGBAGBIN emerged. This daring individual embarked on a hunting journey into a territory that is now known as Ipapo. Under the sheltering boughs of the APAPO tree. where the name of Ipapo was beautifully coined.
AJIBILU AKANGBE ERIN, the son of Sanda and the grandson of Alaafin Sango, chose to embark on a journey to reunite with his bosom friend Olugbagbin, due to conflict that erupted in Oyo-Ile. Drawn by the allure of Ipapo’s unique traits and bound by his kinship with Olugbagbin, AJIBILU AKANGBE ERIN found solace in the land and vowed to bring his family and companions to this newfound haven. This marked the inception of Ipapo’s evolution, a journey marked by the convergence of individuals from diverse walks of life.
Days turned into weeks, yet Alaafin Sango could not discern any trace of AJIBILU AKANGBE ERIN’s presence. With a year having slipped away, unease propelled Alaafin Sango to take action. He dispatched three esteemed chiefs—Teetu, Agoro, and Jagun—on a quest to locate his grandson. However, swaying Olugbagbin’s resolve to return proved to be a formidable challenge. The chiefs, unable to alter his course, made a resolute choice: they optioned to remain in Ipapo, an act steeped in veneration for their heritage and deference to their king.
Alaafin Sango’s concern deepened, compelling him to dispatch an additional eight emissaries in pursuit of AJIBILU AKANGBE ERIN and the three chiefs. Despite their determined efforts, Ajibilu’s steadfast commitment to Ipapo remained unshaken. Confronted by his unyielding conviction, the eight emissaries eventually aligned their destinies with those who found refuge in Ipapo.
Ipapo’s growth was an inevitable consequence, fueled by the convergence of determined souls in search of sanctuary and fresh beginnings. Amidst this growth, an air of disquiet enveloped Ejigbojo, Sanda’s wife, and Ajibilu’s mother. The absence of her son weighed heavily on her heart. She was accompanied by her devoted friends, Obaloge and Iyamode, they ventured to Ipapo with a singular mission: to persuade Ajibilu to return.
Yet, Ajibilu’s determination remained unwavering. The entreaties of his mother and companions proved futile in swaying his decision. Clinging firmly to his resolve, he intoned incantations and was suddenly swallowed by the soil. When Ejigbojo became aware of the incident in which her son had been swallowed by the soil, she cried bitterly, started the same incantations, and was swallowed up by the soil. The two friends who accompanied Ejigbojo to Ipapo ( IYAMODE & OBALOGE) eventually reciprocated the same thing.
These solemn events gave rise to four hallowed and sacred shrines within Ipapo, each a testimony to the interplay of destiny, devotion, and sacrifice. Today, the memory of Ọmọ sanda (Ajibilu) endures, commemorated every September, and the four shrines are worshiped.
Alaafin of Oyo, until date, has maintained the cultural gesture of sending a ram and currency as a tribute, honoring the timeless legend that is intricately woven into the fabric of Ipapo’s history.
Ipapo’s tale, marked by courage, unity, and sacrifice, stands as a testament to humanity’s resilience and the undying spirit of community. In publishing this saga, we honor the past while paving the way for a future defined by the echoes of Ipapo’s remarkable journey
