18th century – 19th century
Southwestern Nigeria
Nineteenth-century Yoruba migrations moved large populations from the open grasslands of northern Yorubaland into southern forest zones. These movements led to the formation of communities including Ibadan, Abeokuta, Oyo, Iwo, Modakeke, and Sagamu. Yoruba political responses to new ecological and social conditions produced varied constitutional experiments, including military dictatorship, republicanism, federalism, and confederalism.
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The Story
In the nineteenth century, Yoruba populations moved in very large numbers from the open grassland areas of northern Yorubaland into forest regions farther south. The movement altered the distribution of population across southwestern Nigeria and created a new setting for political organization. Communities established or reshaped during this process included Ibadan, Abeokuta, Oyo, Iwo, Modakeke, and Sagamu.
The new settlements faced political and ecological challenges that required institutional experimentation. Rather than reproducing a single model of government, Yoruba communities developed distinct constitutional arrangements suited to their circumstances. Ijaye became associated with military dictatorship, Ibadan with republicanism, Abeokuta with federalism, and the Ekiti Parapo with confederalism.
These movements had consequences extending beyond individual settlements. They helped establish the population geography of southwestern Nigeria as it existed in the period described by the chapter. Migration therefore functioned not only as a demographic process but also as a mechanism for political innovation and the creation of new communities.
18th century – 19th century
Southwestern Nigeria
Nineteenth-century Yoruba migrations moved large populations from the open grasslands of northern Yorubaland into southern forest zones. These movements led to the formation of communities including Ibadan, Abeokuta, Oyo, Iwo, Modakeke, and Sagamu. Yoruba political responses to new ecological and social conditions produced varied constitutional experiments, including military dictatorship, republicanism, federalism, and confederalism.
Continue exploring
The Story
In the nineteenth century, Yoruba populations moved in very large numbers from the open grassland areas of northern Yorubaland into forest regions farther south. The movement altered the distribution of population across southwestern Nigeria and created a new setting for political organization. Communities established or reshaped during this process included Ibadan, Abeokuta, Oyo, Iwo, Modakeke, and Sagamu.
The new settlements faced political and ecological challenges that required institutional experimentation. Rather than reproducing a single model of government, Yoruba communities developed distinct constitutional arrangements suited to their circumstances. Ijaye became associated with military dictatorship, Ibadan with republicanism, Abeokuta with federalism, and the Ekiti Parapo with confederalism.
These movements had consequences extending beyond individual settlements. They helped establish the population geography of southwestern Nigeria as it existed in the period described by the chapter. Migration therefore functioned not only as a demographic process but also as a mechanism for political innovation and the creation of new communities.