The highway: Legend of Baba Sigidi


When we talk about warriors, legends and magicians who had the ability to self transform themselves from a living essence to a neutral polarity, we normally look at Morgana le fay of the Arthurian legends of Europe, as well as other deified mages, warlords and kings alike across Egypt and the Greek mythologies. However, there's  also a vast, unknown accounts of brave gods, goddesses, Kings, and even fighters found in tale the Ile Ife, of the yoruba pantheons in Africa, who at one time possessed such rare abilities to effect a change of a living essence. The legend of Baba sigidi is one of such instances, most spectular due to notion surrounding the circumstances of his abilities and mythical pathway.


Baba sigidi comes from a high daring, reputed family who are very adequately masters of their domains, Baba sigidi was highly skilled in medicine. His bloodline can be traced back to the mystified god, Oranfe Alafere, his grand father and Osangangan Obamakin, his father, who inherited Oranfe's abilities at the time.

Little is known about Baba Sigidi's family nor his mother position as his father was married to three wives, but it is quite assumed he was betrothed or even married with offsprings, however, his significance stems from his refusal to withdraw from waging war and leaving Ile Ife, despite being aborigines and original settlers of the place, to find and establish a new Kingdom, where his father, Osangangan Obamakin will find what his descendants would feed on till the end of days.

There's a hint of mystery of what the legendary warrior looked like, as most African lores were oral told from aeons, Statue designs of this great figure suggests he had quite the build of a warlock.

Before the strife, lle ife included sixteen communities where Osangangan Obamakin, the son of Oranfe ruled from Iwinrin led the Sixteen communities which simultaneously flourished and had an established system of culture, justice, commerce, as well as agriculture.

Oduduwa happen to wander from the Eastern parts of Ile Ife, through Oke Ora. He was taken to Ilero. Incidentally, it was Ilero that Osangangan Obamakin presided over the affairs of ancient Ile Ife.

Ilero is said to be a place where cogent matters that involved the communities are discussed, consulting Ifa oracle and Osanyin for peaceful administration, performing rituals and sacrifices as well as execution of justice when necessary. Being the generous kind Osangangan had a display of love to Oduduwa.

At some point, envy crept in the hearts of communities concerning the gesture given to the stranger Oduduwa by Obamakin, despite being exceptional in the use of herbs for treatment of all ailments, as well as ensuring that pregnant women delivered safely.

Once Oduduwa became an adept in ikedu which took him according to the history books,16 years to learn, which also was the aboriginal language spoken at the time, he flourished the more, further attracting envious glances

Seemed Oduduwa, the stranger as the aborigines called him, had other agendas as he decided to usurp authority, leading to an intense struggle for supremacy between him and Obatala Oseremagbo.

The sixteen communities of Ancient Ile Ife called umugbokun had at least three kings of who were greatly known, Olojudo ruled from Ido, Obamakin ruled from Iwinrin and Obatala ruled from ideta. It was the Ideta community, Oduduwa wanted was forbidden as no settlement, town or city had solely handed their sovereignty to a stranger or migrant without some sort of stiff opposition, if not, war.

The strife attracted the attention of rulers from various communities with some showing support for Obatala-Obalejugbe-Obawinrin, while the others showed their support for Oduduwa-Obameri. A war was imenient and Obatala was defeated. There are assumptions that Oduduwa killed Obatala, howbeit, there were attempts the settle the dispute the moment Obamakin the head of all communities attention was sought for. The war forced Obatala to seek refuge at Iwinrin.

The aggrevation turned into onslaught partly due to Oduduwa stubborn ground to hold on to Ideta and return it to Obatala, stopping all work he might have started right away.

By this time Ile-Ife had reached it threshold as communities prepared for war, some for Obatala and some for Oduduwa.

The day of the battle was declared at Igbo Ugbo and all warriors gathered to launch an attack against Oduduwa and his allies. As custom demanded, the oracle was consulted over the preceding matter, and the final judgement given. The Ifa oracle and Osanyin were called upon to give their judgement. As fate will turn out to be, the war was never to happen, as the ground where the warriors of Obatala gathered to launch the attack against the Oduduwa warriors, Ifa decreed, forbidding Ile Ife to be destroyed by blood shed, rather he gave his judgement that the warriors leave Ile-Ife at once to where they find a new home despite be the original settlers of Ile-Ife.

Osangangan Obamakin and Ugbo were never defeated because there was actually no war between Osangangan Obamakin and Oduduwa because of the divination from Ifa and Osanyin. Obatala was returned to Ideta after migration from Ile-Ife until a truce was reached. Osangangan aslo heeded to the oracle's words of judgement and moved to find a new Kingdom. It is an established fact that the bond between Obamakin and Oduduwa was never broken but rejuvenated.

It would be worthy to note that the oracle's judgement was equally challenged as it was found devastating for the warriors who were keenly ready for War. This singular act of refusal and rebellion prompted many warriors commiting suicide at the disappointing divination, with some transforming into trees, boulders and rocks and streams. The Tale is centered on Baba Sigidi as he, being part of the rebellion, turned himself to a Boulder, rather than leaving Ile-Ife.

There are possible evidence that still suggests his image is still been seen in Ile Ife today, off Iremo road, and is a tourist site. It is said that the boulder hearts still beats during the annual traditional bathe of Baba Sigidi.

It is interesting to note on the historical war at Ugbo, the rebellious acts of the warriors to leave Ile-Ife and their genuine willingness to remain in Ile-Ife, being their original home. perhaps, they saw the act they enacted as a way of bending the oracle's decree and evading punishment, thus, remaining in Ile-Ife as a neutral lifeless matter seemed fitting, particularly the case of Baba Sigidi, saw it as a way of keeping himself in check, in control and putting a restraining purge from going against the oracle's judgement.

This was the moment where warriors, Kings, gods and monsters, you probably say, took the high road.

Baba Sigidi is still revered in the Yoruba culture today and he's tale is forever in the minds of the indigenes.

He's a symbolism of the persona of the unrelenting, aggressive protector. This, he showed in his eagerness to fight for Oduduwa. He is also symbolizes revenge and retribution and justice in the scroll's tongue of the Yourba legend.



REFERENCES:

Ile ife never defeated ugbo: Available at https://thenationonlineng.net/ile-ife-never-defeated-ugbo-2/amp/

Olugbo the first lord in the Yorubaland: Available at https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=308612693037738&id=168091283756547

Orisha: Available at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orisha

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