Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary 2

Term: 2^nd Term

Week: 3

Class: Senior Secondary School 2

Age: 16 years

Duration: 40 minutes of 2 periods each

Date:       

Subject:      Government

Topic:-       Pre-colonial administration III

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

1. Discuss the system and structure of administration in pre-colonial Yoruba government
2. Discuss the roles of the system

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Videos, loud speaker, textbook, pictures

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

PERIOD 1-2

NOTE

PRECOLONIAL ADMINISTRATION

BRIEF HISTORY OF PRE-COLONIAL YORUBA ADMINISTRATION

Before the advent of the British in Yoruba land; Yoruba kingdoms maintained an orderly and unified political system which is still in effect till today. The central level i.e the town was headed by the Oba and assisted by a handful of chiefs and other political figures in the administration of the kingdom, while the subordinate units i.e the villages, headed by the Baales, concentrated only on the administration of the towns and villages in the kingdom. Like the Oba, the Baale also had a group of chiefs that assisted him in his area of jurisdiction. However, the Baale of each town and village is entitled to pay annual homage (Isakole) to the Oba at the central level. Any erring Baale can be relieved of his post or sanctioned to certain punishment respective of his offence since all Baales were responsible to the Oba.

The Yoruba political administration had a decentralized structure i.e power was constitutionally shared among all political levels/sections of the kingdom ranging from the highest to the lowest unit which included the Alafin, Oyomesi, Ogboni cults, Aare-Ona-Kakanfo, Osi Efa, Oni Efa, Otun Efa.

The Oyo empire is described to be democratic because of the inclusion of the principle of checks and balance.

The Political Administration Of The Old Oyo Empire

The Alafin was seen as the political head of the empire. Alafin was supreme and second to the gods of the land. Apart from the alafin/Oba, the following people plated notable roles in Oyo empire.

1. Oyomesi (Kingmakers)
2. Ogboni cults
3. Are-Ona kakanfo (head of the army.)
4. Osi Efa
5. Oni Efa
6. Otun Efa

The kingdom was divided into towns and villages. while the Obas ruled the big towns, the villages are ruled by the baales.

The Alaafin as the political head of the empire was not an autocratic ruler. He was in fact appointed by the Oyomesi (seven kingmakers). The Alaafin was not alone at the executive level of governance, he was assisted by officials such as Osi Efa, Ona Efa and Otu Efa.

Following the Alafin was the Oyo Mesi which controlled the excesses of the Alafin. The council was headed by the Basorun who was the Prime Minister in the hierarchy of administration. This council worked hand in hand with the Alafin but could still discipline him.

The Ogboni society also possessed judicial powers and was involved in the policy making. The society also maintained the cultural values of the people.

The army was controlled by the Aare-Ona-Kakanfo. The commander was however subjected to the control of the Alafin. He was expected to win all wars and was not permitted to live in the city so as to prevent insurrection against the Alafin.

The entire system was planned in such a way that no single authority had automatic powers to the disadvantages of the people.

Role Of Oba/Alafin in Oyo Empire.

He was the political, cultural and spiritual leaders of the kingdom. In most cases, the person to be made the Oba must be the eldest son of the late Oba. The alafin was selected by a group of seven hereditary kingmakers known as Oyomesi. The Oba with his chiefs exercised judicial powers especially over serious crimes, allocated land to people, settle disputes and saw to the general welfare of the people. The alafin was not an absolute leader because his powers were been checked by the Oyomesi who could asked him to commit suicide if he went contrary to the tradition of the land.

Functions/Role Of The Oyomesi On Oyo Kingdom

The Oyomesi was a council of chiefs made up of seven members. the highest ruling council in the old Oyo empire was headed by bashorun who also was the prime minister of the kingdom.

1. The seven kingdoms acted as the organ of checks and balances to the power and excesses of the Oba they were empowered to enact a new Oba.
2. It was equally the constitutional power of the council to remove/ impeach any bad king by presenting an empty calabash with white parrot egg. When this was done, the king was to go and commit suicide or go into exile. However, this was subject to the confirmation of the Ogboni cult.
3. They took part in the selection of a new Alafin. They acted as kingmakers i.e to elect a new king in place of the dead one.
4. The Oyomesi also had the power to impeach/remove an Oba who violated the tradition of the land.
5. They also acted as advisers to the obas and played religious functions.
6. They helped in the maintenance of law and order
7. They ensured that the policies and decisions of the Oba were implemented
8. It helped preserve the Yoruba customs and traditions
9. They performed religious and ceremonial functions

Elements Of Checks And Balances In The Oyo Political System

1. Excessive use of power by the Alaafin was checked by the Oyomesi council by commanding suicide
2. The fact that one of the Oyomesi had to die with the Alafin was a check on the power of the Oyomesi to command Alaafin to commit suicide
3. The secret cult (Ogboni) checked the excesses of the Oyomesi council kin the rejection of an Oba or checked the ambitious Bashorun by declaring that the Ifa oracle had not rejected him.
4. The position and loyalty of the Aare-Ona-Kakanfo and the army to Alaafin protected him. The promotions of the soldiers lie with the Oyomesi.
5. The quality of the advice given by Ilaris, Eunuchs, special assistants and high chiefs prevented wrong and excessive use of power.
6. An occult calabash (Igba-iwa) to checkmate abuse of power
7. The oracle made predictions and advised on precautionary measures
8. The traditional three arms of government (Oba/Oyomesi/Ogboni) checked one another.

Features Of Yoruba Pre-Colonial System Of Administration

1. It was monarchical in nature: the Oba was a Monarch and the position was hereditary. It was a constitutional Monarchy; the Oba-in-Council made the law, implemented the law, settled cases and as such, had limited powers.
2. It was democratic in nature: the people participated in government indirectly through the local chief and their representatives, the members of the Oyo Mesi.
3. There was the principle of checks and balances: the organs of government had powers to check one another to avoid abuse of power. The Oyomesi checked the powers of the Oba, while the Ogoni society checked the powers of the Oyomesi.
4. Republican status: each town had power to govern themselves according to their customs and traditions, without external control
5. Decentralization of Authority: government authority was shared among the organs of government; as such there was no centralization of authority in any organ.
6. Separation of powers: the various organs of government have specified power and functions though; they played complementary roles.
7. Rulership was hereditary. A new Oba is selected by the Oyomesi among the ruling families.
8. There was the existence of the chief priest that performed religious functions and mediated between the Oba and their gods.
9. The system had a standing army to defend its territory from external attacks led by Are-Ona-Kakanfo

Roles Of The Secret Society/Ogboni Cult In Oyo Empire

The Ogboni was the third organ of government in old Oyo empire. It was a secret society made up of prominent diviners and headed by the Oluwo. One of their constitutional duties was to check the excesses of the Oyomesi, such as the rejection of an Alaafin. It was their function to

1. Mediate between the Alaafin and the Oyomesi.
2. They also performed judicial and religious functions.
3. They defended the community in times of war
4. It performed rituals aimed towards evil spirits and appease the gods for sins of the community
5. It preserved the custom, cultural values and traditions of the people
6. It served as the final court of appeal to both civil and criminal cases
7. It approved decisions and policies of the Oba and his advisers
8. Policy making: it was involved in the policy making process
9. Checks and balances: it checked the arbitrary use of powers by the rulers.
10. It served as an agent of political education for the people and help in the dethronement or disposition of the ruler.

Roles Of Traditional Leaders In The Pre-Colonial Political System.

1. Maintenance of law and order.
2. They made laws in their areas of jurisdiction.
3. They performed religious functions like making rituals to appease the gods.
4. They acted as an intermediary/link between the subjects their neighbors.
5. They settled disputes and administer justice when necessary.
6. They were the custodians of the people’s culture and tradition.
7. They led their people to wars.
8. They appointed lesser chiefs and conferred honors and likes on deserving subjects
9. They performed ceremonial functions.
10. They generated revenue through tax, tribute and used them for the benefit of the people.

EVALUATION:    1. Discuss the system and structure of the administration in pre-colonial Yoruba government  

2. Discuss the roles of the system

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively