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

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 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

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