4.0 Origins of Oyo and Dahomey

Question 1

What were the origins of Oyo and Dahomey?

Answer 1

Oyo and Dahomey originated from migrations and settlements in the region, with Oyo founded by Oranmiyan and Dahomey emerging from the Allada kingdom.

Question 2

Which of the following was a more significant reason for the rise of the Kingdom of Oyo in the early seventeenth century?

Answer 2

Leadership of individual Alafins and the use of cavalry.

Question 3

What was the capital of Oyo?

Answer 3

Oyo-Ile.

Question 4

Fill in the blank: The _______ was a thrusting-spear carried by Oyo cavalrymen.

Answer 4

Oko.

Question 5

What was the primary role of the Basorun in Oyo?

Answer 5

Head of the Oyo Mesi and chief military advisor.

Question 6

True or False: Oyo and Dahomey were protected from coastal raids by geographical features.

Answer 6

True.

Question 7

What were the eight provinces of Oyo?

Answer 7

Three to the west of River Ogun and three to the east along with Ekun osi.

Question 8

What major trading port was located in Whydah?

Answer 8

A significant trading port for the region.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: The _______ was the highest-ranking guardian of the wives and children of the Alafin.

Answer 9

Eru Oba.

Question 10

What was the significance of the Iwefa in Oyo?

Answer 10

Dealt with collecting revenue.

Question 11

Name one festival celebrated in Oyo.

Answer 11

Mole festival, Orun festival, or Bere festival.

Question 12

Who founded the Kingdom of Dahomey?

Answer 12

Houegbadja.

Question 13

What was the role of the Yovogan in Dahomey?

Answer 13

Chief office in charge of Whydah.

Question 14

What was the period when Oyo faced military defeats due to Nupe invasions?

Answer 14

Sometime around 1535.

Question 15

What was one main reason for Oyo’s economic success?

Answer 15

Wealth from taxes, tribute, and the slave trade.

Question 16

What event marked the peak of Oyo’s power in the 18th century?

Answer 16

The reign of Alafin Abiodun (1774-89).

Question 17

Fill in the blank: Dahomey was a tributary to Oyo during the _______.

Answer 17

Second half of the C18.

Question 18

What was the relationship between Oyo and Dahomey?

Answer 18

Oyo was more powerful but Dahomey retained enough power to expand and trade with Europeans.

Question 19

What was a significant trade item for Dahomey in the 18th century?

Answer 19

Slaves sold to Europeans.

Question 20

What was the significance of the city of Ife-Ife to the Yoruba people?

Answer 20

It is considered the spiritual heartland of the Yoruba peoples.

Question 21

Fill in the blank: The _______ was the period of internal conflict in Oyo leading to its decline.

Answer 21

Civil war.

Question 22

Who was Agaja in the context of Dahomey?

Answer 22

Dahomian king who expanded territory and trade.

Question 23

What was the main external threat to Oyo during the 18th century?

Answer 23

Jihad from the north.

Question 24

What was a key factor in the decline of Oyo?

Answer 24

Internal disputes and civil war.

Question 25

What role did cavalry play in Oyo's military strategy?

Answer 25

Cavalry was effectively used to expand territory and suppress threats.

Question 26

What was the significance of the trade routes for Oyo?

Answer 26

They facilitated trade with Hausaland and European nations.

Question 27

Fill in the blank: The _______ was a cult established to support the retention of power by Oyo-Ile.

Answer 27

Sango priests.

Question 28

What city is considered the spiritual heartland of the Yoruba peoples?

Answer 28

Ife-Ife ## Footnote Yoruba peoples claim their origins from Ife-Ife.

Question 29

Who was Oranmiyan?

Answer 29

Second prince of the Yoruba Kingdom of Ile-Ife ## Footnote He founded Oyo after following a magical snake.

Question 30

What title did Oranmiyan hold after founding Oyo?

Answer 30

Alafin of Oyo ## Footnote Alafin means 'owner of the palace' in Yoruba.

Question 31

Who succeeded Oranmiyan as the ruler of Oyo?

Answer 31

Ajaka ## Footnote Ajaka was deposed for lacking military virtue.

Question 32

What was the result of Ajaka's deposition?

Answer 32

Leadership was conferred upon his brother, Shango ## Footnote Shango was later deified as the deity of thunder and lightning.

Question 33

What led to the initial rise of the Oyo kingdom?

Answer 33

Trade with trans-Saharan Arab merchants and military conquests ## Footnote Oyo fought for supremacy against the Nupe kingdom.

Question 34

What significant event occurred around c1535 involving Oyo?

Answer 34

Nupe occupied Oyo, forcing its dynasty into exile ## Footnote This exile lasted about 80 years.

Question 35

What was the capital of the Oyo kingdom?

Answer 35

Oyo-Ile ## Footnote Oyo-Ile is also known as Old Oyo.

Question 36

What were the two most important structures in Oyo-Ile?

Answer 36

The afin (palace of the Oba) and Oja-oba (the King's market) ## Footnote The palace was central to the city.

Question 37

How was the society of Oyo structured?

Answer 37

Patrilineal society with allegiance to father's lineage group (idile) ## Footnote Towns consisted of large family compounds.

Question 38

When did Dahomey rise to power?

Answer 38

Early C18, founded around c1620 ## Footnote Dahomey emerged during a period of regional instability.

Question 39

What was the main occupation in Dahomey?

Answer 39

Agriculture ## Footnote Industries included cotton spinning, cloth weaving, wood carving, and iron works.

Question 40

Who were the major trading partners of Allada?

Answer 40

Dutch, French, and Portuguese ## Footnote Allada sold cloth, ivory, and enslaved Africans.

Question 41

What was the political relationship between the kingdoms in the region?

Answer 41

Interdependent but with weak central authority ## Footnote Kings regarded one another as 'brothers'.

Question 42

What was a key factor in Dahomey's political organization?

Answer 42

Rejection of traditional social theory ## Footnote Dahomey founded a kingdom based on individual service to the king.

Question 43

What did the Dahomians call their kings?

Answer 43

Dada ## Footnote Dada means father.

Question 44

What concept did the founders of Dahomey use to describe their political system?

Answer 44

The state was a perforated pot ## Footnote The king was the water needed to stay in the pot.

Question 45

What was the first major military action taken by Oyo against Allada?

Answer 45

First expedition against Allada between 1680 and 1682 ## Footnote Oyo's actions aimed to exert influence over Allada.

Question 46

Who was the first king of Dahomey?

Answer 46

Wegbaja ## Footnote He expanded Dahomey significantly during his reign.

Question 47

What was the outcome of Agaja's conquests in the early 18th century?

Answer 47

He conquered Allada and Whydah ## Footnote This strengthened Dahomey's position in regional politics.