The Kiriji War (1877-1893)

The Kiriji War, also known as the Ekiti-Parapo War, was a prolonged and devastating conflict that lasted for about sixteen years in the late nineteenth century.

The war occurred primarily between Ibadan, which had emerged as the dominant military power in Yorubaland after the collapse of the Oyo Empire, and the combined forces of the Ekiti and Ijesha people, who formed a strong alliance known as the Ekiti-Parapo to resist Ibadan’s political and military domination.

According to Latoosa, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Ibadan at the time, “the Kiriji War ended all wars in Yorubaland.” The Kiriji War is unarguably the most protracted and destructive war that afflicted the Yoruba nation, draining the military strength of the warring states and weakening traditional political structures.

Causes Of The Kiriji War/Ekiti Parapo War

The Kiriji War broke out largely as a result of the unacceptable policies and style of administration imposed by Ibadan following its rise to political and military prominence in the nineteenth century.

Ibadan’s decisive role in the 1840 Osogbo War and its victory over Ijaye in 1862 firmly established the city as the most powerful military state in Yorubaland and, by implication, the successor to the fallen Oyo Empire. This newfound dominance emboldened Ibadan to extend its influence over other Yoruba towns through direct political control and military supervision.

To consolidate its authority, Ibadan stationed its administrators and military representatives in several parts of Yorubaland, particularly in Ekiti and Ijesha territories. These administrators were responsible for collecting tribute, maintaining order, and enforcing Ibadan’s authority.

However, their presence generated deep resentment among the local populations. The Ekiti and Ijesha people, like many other Yoruba groups, were unwilling to recognise Ibadan as the political stronghold of the Yoruba nation or to submit to its control.

The situation deteriorated further due to the misconduct and high-handed behaviour of the Ibadan administrators. According to tradition, they frequently harassed young men, abused their authority, and engaged in immoral practices, including sexual relationships with local women, which violated social norms and undermined local leadership.

These actions became the last straw for the Ekiti and Ijesha communities. Unable to tolerate such oppression and moral excesses any longer, they rose in revolt, killing several of the administrators and openly declaring war against Ibadan.

The conflict quickly expanded as other Yoruba towns and groups took sides, either aligning with Ibadan or joining the Ekiti-Ijesha alliance. This escalation transformed the uprising into the Kiriji (Ekiti-Parapo) War, one of the longest and most consequential wars in Yoruba history.

The War

During the Kiriji War, Egba and Ijebu aligned themselves with the Ekiti and Ijesha forces against Ibadan. From the southern front, Egba and Ijebu troops advanced to attack Ibadan, while from the northern front, the combined armies of Ekiti and Ijesha, supported by the Fulani forces of Ilorin, launched coordinated attacks.

In addition, Ife entered the war on the side of the Ekiti and Ijesha. As a result of these multiple alliances, Ibadan found itself fighting on five different fronts simultaneously.

On the 1st of November 1878, Ibadan forces engaged the allied armies of Ekiti, Ijesha, and the Ilorin Fulani in the north-eastern area of present-day Osun State, near Ikirun. Despite the numerical strength of the allied forces, Ibadan emerged victorious, defeating them and driving them back to their camps. This major encounter became historically known as “Ogun Jalumi” (Battle of Waterloo), or the 1878 Battle of Ikirun.

Following this victory, Ibadan attempted to weaken the Ekiti forces by blockading their access routes, preventing them from transporting arms and ammunition through Ibadan-controlled territories. However, the Ekiti soon discovered an alternative supply route through Ondo to Lagos.

This route had been opened and maintained by the British, largely because other inland routes were frequently closed due to warfare and insecurity (Akintoye, 1969).

The Kiriji War also intensified the long-standing rivalry between Ife and the Oyo settlers at Modakeke, who were loyal to Ibadan. Tensions escalated during the war, and eventually Modakeke, with military support from Ibadan, attacked and sacked Ife

How Kiriji War Got Its Name

The name “Kiriji” was derived from an onomatopoeic expression, imitating the loud, thunderous “kiriji” sound produced by the heavy cannons used during the war. These weapons were acquired in large quantities by the Ekiti and Ijesha forces under the leadership of Ogedengbe, their renowned war commander.

The superior firepower of these cannons gave the Ekiti–Ijesha alliance a significant military advantage over Ibadan, whose forces relied mainly on older weapons.

Despite the prolonged nature of the conflict, early attempts to end the war were unsuccessful. In 1886, Governor Carter initiated peace negotiations between the two opposing sides, but these efforts failed due to deep-seated hostility and mutual distrust.

It was not until the British military expedition against Ijebu in 1892 that the balance of power in Yorubaland shifted decisively. During this expedition, the Ijebu army was defeated by British Maxim guns and seven-pounder rockets.

Following this, Governor Carter was finally able to enforce peace in 1893. Historical accounts state that he trekked from Lagos to the war camps of both sides at Igbajo and Okemesi, where he personally persuaded the Ibadan and Ekiti armies to lay down their arms and return to their respective homes.

Both parties were subsequently compelled to sign a peace treaty, which formally ended the Kiriji War. This treaty marked the loss of Yoruba political independence, as the once-powerful Yoruba states were brought under British protection, becoming part of the British protectorates in West Africa through diplomatic pressure and military superiority.

Thanks for reading, OldNaija.com

References:

1. A Textbook Of West African History; E. Ola Abiola- May 1974
2. Ogunniyi Morakinyo; Ekiti Parapo liberation war: (Kiriji War 1877-1886); Okemesi-Ekiti: Kayegbo Communications; 2006.
3. Foluoyefeso. (2023, November 3). Unveiling the epic saga: The Kiriji War – Yoruba’s longest civil conflict. FoluOyefeso. https://www.foluoyefeso.com/post/unveiling-the-epic-saga-the-kiriji-war-yoruba-s-longest-civil-conflict
4. Omipidan, T. O. (2019a, January 6). Jalumi War of 1878 (Battle of Ikirun). OldNaija. https://oldnaija.com/2017/07/21/jalumi-war-of-1878-battle-of-ikirun/