Ifẹ
Ifẹ̀ (Yoruba: Ifẹ̀, also Ilé-Ifẹ̀) is an ancient Yoruba city in south-western Nigeria, recent in-depth archeologically estimates suggest Ife's founding to be between the 10th century BC and 6th century BC and is widely agreed upon by historians to be the oldest amongst the classical and post-classical Yoruba city-states. The city is located in present-day Osun State. Ifẹ̀ is about 218 kilometers northeast of Lagos with a population of over 500,000 people, which is the highest in Osun State according to population census of 2006.
Ilé-Ifẹ̀
Ifẹ̀ Oòyè | |
|---|---|
Faculty of Medicine at Obafemi Awolowo University | |
Ilé-Ifẹ̀ | |
| Coordinates: 7°28′N 4°34′E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Osun |
| Government | |
| • Ọọni | Ojaja II |
| • LGA Chairman, Ife Central | Oladosu Olubisi |
| • LGA Chairman, Ife North | Lanre Ogunyimika |
| • LGA Chairman, Ife South | Johnson Fayemi |
| • LGA Chairman, Ife East | Tajudeen Lawal |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,791 km2 (692 sq mi) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 509,035 |
| • Density | 280/km2 (740/sq mi) |
| National language | Yorùbá |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| ~ 755,260 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Osun State - 755,260 (2011) · Ife Central: 196,220 · Ife East: 221,340 · Ife South: 157,830 · Ife North: 179,870 |
According to the traditions of the Yoruba religion, Ilé-Ifẹ̀ was founded by the order of the Supreme God Olódùmarè by Obatala. It then fell into the hands of his brother Oduduwa, which created enmity between the two. Oduduwa created a dynasty there, and sons and daughters of this dynasty became rulers of many other kingdoms in Yorubaland. The first Ọọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀ is a descendant of Oduduwa, which was the 401st Orisha. The present ruler since 2015 is Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, Ọọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀ who is also a Nigerian accountant. Named as the city of 401 deities, Ifẹ̀ is home to many worshippers of these deities and is where they are routinely celebrated through festivals.
Ilé-Ifẹ̀ is famous worldwide for its ancient and naturalistic bronze, stone and terracotta sculptures, dating back to between 1200 and 1400 CE.