Gaha
Encyclopedia
Bashorun Gaha was a notable nobleman and leader of the military in the old Oyo Empire
during the 17th/18th century.
He held the post during the reigns of 4 consecutive imperial Alaafin
s, and was instrumental to the military conquests during their time. Renowned for his juju
prowess, he deposed or was responsible for the death of 3 of these Alaafins before being subdued by Alaafin Abiodun
(who ruled c. 1770–1789) via trickery and betrayal by his generals.
He was said to have been burnt to death so that he would not return to life. Upon his death, his children fled Oyo for places like Egbado (now Yewa), Badagry
, Coutonou and Dahomey
, mainly locations where their late father had contacts.
Oyo Empire
The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire of what is today southwestern Nigeria. The empire was established before the 14th century and grew to become one of the largest West African states encountered by European explorers. It rose to preeminence through its possession of a powerful cavalry and wealth...
during the 17th/18th century.
He held the post during the reigns of 4 consecutive imperial Alaafin
Alaafin
Alaafin or Man of the Palace in the Yoruba language was the title of the emperor of the medieval Oyo empire of northwestern Yorubaland. It was retained through the fall of that state as the official title of the ceremonial ruler of the contemporary Oyo clan....
s, and was instrumental to the military conquests during their time. Renowned for his juju
Spiritual warfare
Spiritual warfare is a range of activity by various Christian groups whereby Satanic demons are combatted, using a variety of methods depending on the group, but typically through prayer.-Range of practice, history, and methodology:...
prowess, he deposed or was responsible for the death of 3 of these Alaafins before being subdued by Alaafin Abiodun
Abiodun
Abiodun was an 18th-century alaafin, or ruler, of the Oyo people in what is now Nigeria. Coming to the throne shortly after the Oyo subjugation of neighboring Dahomey, Abiodun soon found himself embroiled in a civil war over the goals of the newly wealthy state.Bashorun Gaha, the empire's prime...
(who ruled c. 1770–1789) via trickery and betrayal by his generals.
He was said to have been burnt to death so that he would not return to life. Upon his death, his children fled Oyo for places like Egbado (now Yewa), Badagry
Badagry
Badagry is a coastal town and Local Government Area in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is situated between Metropolitan Lagos, and the border with Benin at Seme...
, Coutonou and Dahomey
Dahomey
Dahomey was a country in west Africa in what is now the Republic of Benin. The Kingdom of Dahomey was a powerful west African state that was founded in the seventeenth century and survived until 1894. From 1894 until 1960 Dahomey was a part of French West Africa. The independent Republic of Dahomey...
, mainly locations where their late father had contacts.