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War · 1793–1796

Afonja sacks Apomu and topples Awole

Alaafin Awole, who had come to the throne by murdering his father Abiodun, quarrelled with his field marshal Afonja, whose war camp was at Ilorin.

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Overview

Alaafin Awole, who had come to the throne by murdering his father Abiodun, quarrelled with his field marshal Afonja, whose war camp was at Ilorin. In 1793 Afonja refused to attack Iwere-Ile, Abiodun's mother's town, fearing an old curse. In 1795 Awole ordered him against Apomu, a market town of Ife, though every Alaafin swore never to attack Ife. Afonja obeyed, sacked Apomu, then turned his army on Oyo-Ile, which no Kakanfo might enter, and demanded that Awole abdicate. Awole took his own life, and the empire fell into twenty years without a settled king.[1]High confidence

Apomu's point is approximate.

Who took part

What happened

  1. 1795 · Apomu

    Apomu sacked

    An Oyo army attacks a town of holy Ife.[1]High confidence

  2. 1796 · Oyo-Ile (Old Oyo)

    Awole's death

    Faced with Afonja's army, the Alaafin takes his own life.[1]High confidence

Kingdoms involved

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).

  1. Wikipedia contributors. Oyo Empire