Opa Oranmiyan: The Staff That Holds the Secrets of a Warrior King

 By Victor Olubiye

In the heart of Ile-Ife, the spiritual cradle of the Yoruba people, stands a tall and mysterious monolith that has defied time for centuries. Known locally as Opa Oranmiyan—the Staff of Oranmiyan—this 18-foot granite column is more than a relic. It is a living memory, a cultural compass, and a sacred link to one of the most controversial and legendary figures in Yoruba history: Prince Oranmiyan, the last son of Oduduwa.

The tale of Oranmiyan is as layered as the myths of ancient Greece. Oral tradition recalls that he was born of Lakange Anihunka, a slave woman captured during war, but his paternity was shared by two titans—Oduduwa, progenitor of the Yoruba race, and Ogun, the fiery god of iron and war. This unusual origin gave him his name Oranmiyan, which loosely translates as “the child who chose controversy.” Half of his body was said to carry Ogun’s bronze-like complexion, while the other half mirrored Oduduwa’s darker hue. From birth, he was destined to be both extraordinary and divisive.

Though he was the youngest of Oduduwa’s children, Oranmiyan’s appetite for conquest set him apart. His first military expeditions stretched beyond Ile-Ife’s borders, eventually leading him to Igodomigodo, the ancient kingdom now known as Benin. After a series of fierce battles, he was crowned the first Oba of Benin. Yet, his foreign approach to rulership unsettled the people, who plotted against him. Sensing betrayal, Oranmiyan withdrew, renaming the land Ile Ibinu—“the land of anger”—which Portuguese explorers later corrupted into Benin.

Before leaving, he fathered Prince Eweka, who went on to establish the dynasty that still rules the Benin Kingdom today. That lineage earned Benin’s monarchs the enduring title of god-kings, tracing their bloodline back to Oranmiyan.

Restless and ambitious, Oranmiyan pushed northward. In the savannah lands of present-day Oyo State, he founded the Oyo Empire, establishing himself as the first Alaafin of Oyo. His empire-building spirit stretched from Ilorin in Kwara State to Osun, down to Ogun River, and across borders into Dahomey (now the Republic of Benin). He became a unifier and conqueror, leaving his imprint across West Africa.

The legend of Opa Oranmiyan is inseparable from the man himself. Oral traditions offer two main accounts of how the stone staff came to be.

One story says that after years of conquest, Oranmiyan returned to Ile-Ife to reclaim his ancestral throne. During a raid on the city, he fought with such fury that he accidentally struck down not only enemies but also his closest companion. Stricken by grief, he slammed his sword into the ground in despair. The sword, the legend goes, transformed into the towering stone column we see today.

Another version claims the staff marks the very spot where Oranmiyan was buried. Either way, its sacredness is undisputed. Every newly crowned Ooni of Ife is required to pay homage at the site, acknowledging Oranmiyan’s enduring authority.

Located on Oroto Street, Mopa, Ile-Ife, the staff is now a protected monument and a revered tourist attraction. Carved from granite, it has stood untouched for centuries—retaining its size, form, and mystery. For visitors, the staff is not just a cultural artifact but a symbol of Yoruba identity, resilience, and spirituality.

Beyond its physical presence, Opa Oranmiyan represents the Yoruba belief that the past is never truly gone. Legends say that if the people of Ife ever face dire danger, Oranmiyan can still be summoned through ancient incantations, riding back on his war horse to defend his people.

In a modern Nigeria where cultural heritage risks being overshadowed by globalization, Opa Oranmiyan remains a silent teacher. It reminds the Yoruba—and indeed all Africans—of their deep roots in bravery, governance, and identity. It bridges myth and history, symbol and sovereignty.

For the people of Ile-Ife, it is not just a stone; it is Oranmiyan himself, standing watch over the land he once ruled and fought to protect.