HISTORY: Women In Abeokuta–1930

-

 By Victor Olubiye


In the background stands the residence of Rev. H.W. Stacey, the trailblazing founder of the Methodist Junior School in Abeokuta.

The woman dressed in white is his wife, Mrs. Stacey, who was also an educator.

Have you observed the two distinct styles of attire? And the women's feet?

The formal outfit represents the "Anglo-Egba" fashion—a style influenced by British culture and embraced by formerly enslaved returnees. In Wole Soyinka’s memoir, You Must Set Forth at Dawn, he describes these two dominant categories of women in colonial Egba society: Oníkàbà (gown wearers) and Aròso (wrapper wearers).


Photo credit: Her granddaughter, Kate Cutler (née Stacey).


Historical Context:

In 1846, missionaries arrived in Abeokuta, making it the first Yoruba settlement to host such visitors. This moment laid the groundwork for the town’s leadership in Yoruba education. By 1850, its population had skyrocketed to 100,000, quadrupling that of Cape Town at the time and equaling nearly one-fifth of Manhattan Island's residents.

The 1895 extension of the railway network from Lagos to Abeokuta spurred further growth, strengthening its ties to an agrarian economy primarily centered on palm oil, palm kernels, kola nuts, and later, cocoa production.

Abeokuta’s economy thrived due to the strong presence of female leaders and merchants, who played a crucial role in commerce and trade.

Source: Mayowa Blades

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DOCUMENTARY: Who is Madam Saje ?

-
Image
 By Victor Olubiye Madam Saje, whose real name is Fausat Balogun, is one of the most respected veteran actresses in the Yoruba movie industry. She was born on February 13, 1959, in Ifelodun area of Lagos State, but she is originally from Oke Ode in Kwara State. Her passion for acting began at a young age when she used to follow theatre groups and watch stage plays in her neighborhood. Her journey into acting started in the early 1970s when she joined a theatre group led by the legendary Rafiu Balogun. She trained under him, learning the art of traditional stage performance, script delivery, and discipline. It was in this group she earned her first acting role and began gaining recognition. Her big break came in 1990 when she played the role of “Madam Saje” in the popular TV series Erin Kee Kee. The name stuck with her and became her stage name, which many people still call her today. Fausat Balogun is known for playing the role of a mother in many Yoruba movies, often portraying wi...
Read more

DOCUMENTARY: A Founder Of Kambole Town In Togo Was A Hunter From Ile-Ife

-
Image
 By Victor Olubiye Kambolé (also called Camboli or Kaboli) is a historic town in Tchamba Prefecture, about 90 km east of Sokodé in central Togo. With a population of around 50,000, it is known today as a key trading hub for nearby farming communities. The people speak Ede Nago, a dialect of the Manigri-Kambolé variety. The origins of Kambolé trace back to between the 14th and 17th centuries when a renowned hunter from Ilé-Ifẹ̀, known as Ọ̀dẹ Amọn, left Nigeria in search of safer lands due to unrest back home. A direct descendant of Odùduwà, Ọ̀dẹ Amọn’s name means "the famous or well-known hunter" in Yoruba. His journey took him through places like Idjiho in Nigeria, Savè and Igbomakoh in what is now Benin Republic, moving alongside the Ouémé River. He and his companions eventually settled temporarily in Katankou. One day during a hunting expedition in the forests of Katankou, he discovered a beautiful clearing and named it Òkè Gengele ("Hill" in Yoruba). Venturing f...
Read more

Who Is Professor Adenike Osofisan?: A Trailblazer in Nigerian and African Computer Science

-
Image
 By Victor Olubiye Professor Adenike Oyinlola Osofisan stands as a towering figure in the world of technology and academia, having made groundbreaking strides as a pioneer for women in Computer Science in Nigeria and across Africa. Her career is marked by a series of historic firsts and an unwavering commitment to education, research, and the advancement of information technology. In 1989, Professor Osofisan made history as the first Nigerian woman to earn a Ph.D. in Computer Science, breaking through a field traditionally dominated by men. This monumental achievement not only cemented her place in the annals of Nigerian academia but also inspired a new generation of women to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Her pioneering path did not stop there. In 2006, she again made headlines by becoming the first woman in Africa to attain the rank of Professor in Computer Science. This achievement was not just a personal victory but a continental mil...
Read more

UPDATED: The Life and Times of Muhammadu Buhari: Soldier, Statesman, and Nigeria’s Relentless Reformer

-
Image
 By Victor Olubiye Early Life & Origin Full Name: Muhammadu Buhari Date of Birth: December 17, 1942 Place of Birth: Daura, Katsina State, Northern Nigeria Ethnic Group: Fulani Religion: Islam Family Background: Born to a Fulani chief and raised in a modest, traditional Muslim family. Education and Military Career Attended Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College Katsina). Enrolled in the Nigerian Military Training College in 1962. Trained in several military institutions, including in the UK, India, and the US. Rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Army. Political and Military Positions Military Governor of North-Eastern State 1975–1976 After the 1975 coup led by Murtala Mohammed. Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources 1976–1978 Under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s military regime. Chairman, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) 1976–1978 Combined this with the petroleum commissioner role. Military Head of State of Nigeria 1983–1985 Took power ...
Read more

DOCUMENTARY: Charles Olumo 'Agbako': Celebrating the Enduring Legacy of a Yoruba Film Icon

-
Image
 By Victor Olubiye Charles Olumo, popularly known by his stage name Agbako, was a towering presence in Nigeria’s Yoruba film landscape, remembered for a career that spanned over six decades and shaped generations of performers. Born Abdulsalam Sanyaolu in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in 1923, Olumo became one of the most iconic figures in indigenous Nigerian cinema, renowned for his gripping portrayal of villains and comic characters. Rising to prominence during the golden era of Yoruba traveling theatre, Olumo's acting journey began long before the emergence of Nollywood. His performances were marked by a fierce intensity and captivating screen presence that earned him the moniker Agbako—a Yoruba term connoting disaster or calamity—aptly reflecting the fearsome roles he frequently embodied. Yet, in contrast to his on-screen personas, he was known off-screen as warm, humorous, and deeply respected. As the Yoruba theatre tradition evolved into television drama and later into the booming ho...
Read more

DOCUMENTARY: The Mystery of Iyake Lake: One of the two Suspended Lakes in The World

-
Image
 By Victor Olubiye THE ONLY SUSPENDED LAKE IN AFRICA CONTINENT IS LOCATED IN YORÙBÁ LAND, IYAKE LAKE, ADO-AWAYE, OYO STATE, NIGERIA. Ado-Awaye is a town in Oyo State, Nigeria. It is popular for it’s hill (Oke Ado), upon which is a lake (Iyake). It is one of only two suspended lakes on top of a mountain in the whole World. The lake is believed to be bottomless and no one enters it and survives.  History has it that beneath the lake lies another world, a parallel existence ruled over by a goddess of fertility who lives inside the lake. It’s rumored that if one puts their foot in the hole near the lake known as Agbómofúnyàké (Yoruba for “collects child and gives to iyake”) when it’s filled with water, the person will be dragged to the bottom.  The IYAKE Lake Intriguing History Behind it: It’s name, Iyake (Yoruba) means “Woman cry.”  It is said by the locals that, a barren woman from Ota, Ogun State, migrated to Oyó during the ancient Oyó Empire. She was loved by many bu...
Read more

HISTORY: THE GREAT ARMED ROBBER: ANINI

-
Image
 By Victor Olubiye Over 39 years ago, the notorious bandit who terrorised Benin City and old Bendel State in the 80s, Lawrence Nomanyagbon Anini A.K.A. "Ovbigbo" or "the Law" and some members of his gang were executed by firing squad after being convicted by the defunct Bendel Armed Robbery and Firearms Tribunal presided over by Justice James Omo-Agege      Anini was born in a village about 20 miles from Benin City in present-day Edo State. He migrated to Benin at an early age, learned to drive and became a skilled taxi driver. Anini became known in Benin motor parks as a man who could control the varied competing interests among motor park touts and operators. He later dived into the criminal business in the city and soon became a driver and transporter for gangs, criminal godfathers and thieves. Later on, he decided to create his own gang which included, Monday Osunbor, Friday Ofege, Smallie, Henry Ekponwan, Eweka and Zed Zed or Zegezege who was never captured. T...
Read more

Beyond the Goalposts: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Peter Rufai

-
Image
 By Victor Olubiye The Nigerian football community is in mourning after the death of legendary goalkeeper Peter Rufai, popularly known as “Dodo Mayana.” The former Super Eagles’ first-choice shot-stopper passed away in Lagos on Thursday morning at the age of 61, following a prolonged illness . Nigeria’s Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the passing, tweeting: “Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion…”   A Storied Career Domestically and Abroad Born on August 24, 1963, in Lagos, Rufai rose to national prominence at Stationery Stores before a two-decade professional career spanning clubs in Belgium (Lokeren, Beveren), the Netherlands (Go Ahead Eagles), Portugal (Farense, Gil Vicente), and Spain (Hércules, Deportivo La Coruña) . He earned 65 caps with Nigeria and served as the nation’s starting goalkeeper during their victorious 1994 Africa Cup of Nat...
Read more

REVEALED: Atiku and His Political Journey

-
Image
 By Victor Olubiye He ran for the office of governor of Adamawa State in 1990 and 1996 unsuccessfully, but won in 1998. Before he was sworn in, he was selected as running mate to former military leader, Olusegun Obasanjo, during the 1999 presidential election and was re-elected in 2003. Atiku Abubakar ran unsuccessfully for President of Nigeria six times, in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023. He ran in the Social Democratic Party presidential primaries in 1993, but lost to Moshood Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe. He was a presidential candidate of the Action Congress in the 2007 presidential election coming in third to Umaru Yar'Adua of the PDP and Muhammadu Buhari of the ANPP. He contested the presidential primaries of the People's Democratic Party during the 2011 presidential election losing out to incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. In 2014, he joined the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2015 presidential election and contested the presidential primaries losing to...
Read more

Facts to Know About the Late Olubadan

-
Image
 By Victor Olubiye 1. 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Olakulehin ascended the throne on July 12, 2024, as part of Ibadan’s unique rotational chieftaincy system—a method that ensures a peaceful transition of power . 2. Lived to 90 Born July 5, 1935, he lived through both colonial and independent Nigeria—passing just two days after his 90th birthday and less than a year into his reign . 3. Brief but Symbolic Reign Though his time as monarch was under a year—and impeded by health struggles—it proved deeply meaningful. His presence was viewed as a unifying force for Ibadan residents . 4. Rose Through the Civil Line Before ascending as Olubadan, he diligently climbed the ranks of Ibadan's chieftaincy hierarchy—from Mogaji to Balogun—through years of community service and loyalty . 5. Military and Political Career Commissioned via direct short service in 1970, Olakulehin rose to Major in the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers before retiring in 1979. He later founded enterprises in pri...
Read more