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

 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 further, he found a water stream called Kpokpo Yaa where he surprisingly killed an elephant—despite loading his gun for small game. He cut off its tail to show his hunting companions.

Encouraged by the discovery, he returned to the river area (later called Atan Ẹdì) and hunted again, this time killing a buffalo. When he returned to camp, he shared the news with his brother, Olú Adjifọ̀. Following tradition, they tested the land’s habitability by releasing a hen and a rooster, praying: “If this land is good, let the hen lay eggs. If not, let her die.”

While the birds settled in, Ọ̀dẹ Amọn traveled to the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) to trade ivory. Along the way, he stopped in Anyigan, where he met another hunter, Ọ̀dẹ Agoué, and was warmly welcomed. During their conversation, Ọ̀dẹ Agoué expressed dissatisfaction with his current location, and Ọ̀dẹ Amọn promised to help him relocate to a better place upon his return.

Continuing his journey, he encountered Ashanti migrants (Adobia, Takété, and Awoyo) fleeing war. He also promised to support them once he settled.

Sources: Ede-Ifẹ || Igannalawa

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

WHAT NO ONE TELLS JAMBITES ABOUT WRITING JAMB IN NIGERIA

2026 UTME: How to Check Your JAMB Result via SMS and Print Your Official Result Slip (Complete Candidate Guide)

From Conference to Calling: CPC Charges Women to Build Homes, Lead Change Nationwide

“I Was Expecting 300+”: UTME Candidate Who Scored 277 Speaks After Dropping to 257 (Exclusive Interview)

Low UTME Score? Not the End: Hidden Admission Pathways Nigerian Students Ignore

Waiting for Admission or Wasting Time? What Smart Jambites Are Doing Right Now That Others Are Ignoring

EXCLUSIVE: Fundraising, Induction and Charter Ceremony Mark Milestone for Ewekoro Pacesetters Leo Club in Ogun

My Church or Nothing: The Silent War of Altars Tearing Nigerian Families Apart

EXCLUSIVE: Inside Family Ties 2026—Organisers, Participants Reveal Impact of Lions’ Family-Centred Initiative in Ota

EXCLUSIVE: Victory, Controversy and Lessons as Greater Heights Hosts Dramatic First Interhouse Sports in Ogun