4.6 Decline of Oyo

Question 1

What marked the beginning of the Oyo Empire’s downfall?

Answer 1

The end of the 18th century

Question 2

Who is believed to have killed Abiodun?

Answer 2

His son and successor, Awole

Question 3

What event in 1796 significantly weakened the Oyo Empire?

Answer 3

Awole was ousted by an Ilorin-centered revolt initiated by Afonja

Question 4

Who was Afonja?

Answer 4

The Are Ona Kakamfo who backed the coup against Awole

Question 5

What was the consequence of Afonja’s revolt?

Answer 5

The secession of Ilorin, a Yoruba state

Question 6

What was Afonja’s strategy to maintain Ilorin’s independence?

Answer 6

He invited Fulani scholar Alim al-Salih to secure support

Question 7

How long did Adebo reign before his death?

Answer 7

130 days

Question 8

What was the fate of Alafin Maku?

Answer 8

He reigned for 2 months and was rejected by the Oyo mesi

Question 9

What led to the rise of provincial independence in Oyo?

Answer 9

Political intrigue and internal strife weakened central authority

Question 10

What did King Gezo of Dahomey do to the Oyo envoys?

Answer 10

He had them beheaded after sending a token tribute

Question 11

What significant event happened in 1835?

Answer 11

Oyo-Ile was razed by the Fulani Empire

Question 12

Who was the last alafin of Oyo?

Answer 12

Oluewu

Question 13

What caused the breakdown of central authority in Oyo?

Answer 13

Civil strife and an economic crisis

Question 14

What constitutional mistake did Alafin Awole make?

Answer 14

Attacking Apomu in Ife territory

Question 15

Who led the campaign against Alafin Awole’s authority?

Answer 15

Are Afonja

Question 16

What role did the basorun play in the Oyo government?

Answer 16

He had the prerogative to reject an alafin and acted as regent

Question 17

What was a major cause of the decline of the Oyo Empire according to some historians?

Answer 17

Weakness in the constitution of the central government

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The political system of Oyo involved an uneasy balance between the alafin and the _______.

Answer 18

Oyo mesi

Question 19

True or False: The Oyo army remained strong throughout the decline of the empire.

Answer 19

False

Question 20

What was the significance of the year 1818 in the context of Oyo’s decline?

Answer 20

Dahomey revolted against Oyo

Question 21

What did Alafin Abiodun’s actions lead to regarding the power of the basorun?

Answer 21

His downfall was a tribute to the system of checks and balances

Question 22

What was the effect of the rise of powerful neighbors like Dahomey and Nupe on Oyo?

Answer 22

They contributed to the decline of the Oyo Empire

Question 23

What was the political structure of Oyo designed to prevent?

Answer 23

The alafin from becoming a tyrant

Question 24

What did the chiefs do after Awole’s death?

Answer 24

They began to declare themselves independent of Oyo

Question 25

What led to the mutiny of the Oyo army?

Answer 25

Awole's campaign against Iwereile

Question 26

How did provincial rulers gain independence during the decline of Oyo?

Answer 26

They capitalized on the internal struggles of the capital

Question 27

What was the consequence of the chaos in the Oyo capital?

Answer 27

Provincial towns sought their own independence

Question 28

What was the relationship between the alafin and the Oyo mesi?

Answer 28

A balance of power that often led to tensions

Question 29

Fill in the blank: The Oyo Empire collapsed in _______.

Answer 29

1836

Question 30

What did the Oyo provinces do in response to the decline of central authority?

Answer 30

They pressed for independence

Question 31

Who were the leading chiefs in declaring independence from Oyo?

Answer 31

Afonja and Opele ## Footnote Afonja's base was at Ilorin, and Opele was the Bale of Gbogun.

Question 32

What event led to the collapse of Oyo's authority over provincial towns?

Answer 32

The internal troubles of the capital ## Footnote Basorun Gaha's takeover of administration triggered political struggles.

Question 33

Who took over the administration of the kingdom from the alafin?

Answer 33

Basorun Gaha

Question 34

What was the result of the misgovernment by Gaha's kinsmen?

Answer 34

Enabled Abiodun to raise towns in revolt against Gaha

Question 35

What role did the Are Ona Kakamfo play in Oyo's politics?

Answer 35

Ultimate arbiters of metropolitan politics

Question 36

What significant political event occurred around 1796?

Answer 36

Intervention by provincial rulers to overthrow an unpopular alafin

Question 37

True or False: The political division in the capital allowed provincial rulers to assert power.

Answer 37

True

Question 38

What external threat complicated the internal struggles of the Oyo empire?

Answer 38

The Fulani jihad

Question 39

What was Afonja's main ambition during the rebellion?

Answer 39

To carve out an empire for himself

Question 40

Who was Chief Opele and what happened to him?

Answer 40

Chief Opele was an ally of Afonja who died in defense of rebellion against loyalists

Question 41

What could have been the outcome of the rebellion without external aid?

Answer 41

The royalist party probably winning

Question 42

Who did Afonja invite to strengthen his rebellion?

Answer 42

Alimi, a Fulani priest

Question 43

Fill in the blank: Afonja's army was commanded by _______.

Answer 43

Solagberu

Question 44

What was a significant factor in the success of the jihadist forces?

Answer 44

Better training and discipline

Question 45

What happened to Oyo's central authority during Afonja's reign?

Answer 45

It broke down

Question 46

What was the war of Eleduwe?

Answer 46

The conflict where Oluewu, the last alafin, was killed

Question 47

What was a key characteristic of the Yoruba forces defending Oyo?

Answer 47

Badly organized

Question 48

What did the jihadists use to spread dissension among the Yoruba?

Answer 48

Intelligence agents

Question 49

What period is attributed to the beginning of Oyo's decline?

Answer 49

When Alafin Awole was overthrown around 1796

Question 50

True or False: The internal crisis at Oyo's periphery significantly affected the political administration.

Answer 50

False

Question 51

What did the jihad achieve by 1808?

Answer 51

Overthrew the Hausa states

Question 52

Who held the title of Are Ona Kakamfo?

Answer 52

Afonja

Question 53

What ultimately led to the disintegration of central authority in Oyo?

Answer 53

A constitutional crisis pitting Ilorin against the capital