Ọọ̀ni Luwoo Gbagida: The First and only Female Ọọ̀ni of Ifé
Ilè-Ifẹ̀, a town in Osun state, Nigeria is regarded as the ancestral home and source of the Yoruba race. The ruler, regarded as Oọ̀ni, is well-respected and seen as a very powerful leader.
Generally, Ọọ̀ni, who is usually a male is recognized by his subjects as their spiritual leader and the Chief custodian of their tradition. However, Ọọ̀ni Luwoo Gbagida, a female was crowned the spiritual leader and Ọọ̀ni of Ilé-Ifé around 1100CE.
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Here are six things we know about Ọọ̀ni Luwoo:
1. Ọọ̀ni Luwoo was a woman of immense physical beauty who took pride in her attractiveness.
2. She was a descendant of Otaataa from Owode compound, Okerewe.
3. She was the 21st Ọọ̀ni of Ifé, succeeding Ọọ̀ni Giesi, and succeeded by the 22nd Ọọ̀ni of Ife, Ọọ̀ni Lumobi.
4. Ọọ̀ni Luwoo was married to Chief Ọbalọran of Ilode and became the mother of Adekola Telu, the founder and Oluwo of Iwo town.
5. Ọọ̀ni Luwoo commissioned the unique Yoruba custom of constructing decorative pavements and open-air courtyards paved with pottery shreds. Almost all the roads in Ilé-Ifé were embellished with quartz pebbles and broken pottery, some of which can still be seen today.
6. Ọọ̀ni Luwoo started a dynasty that has thrived for centuries as the current Oluwo of Iwo. His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi is from her bloodline.
Tell us what you know about Ọọ̀ni Luwoo Gbagida.