DId you know: Oriki Oyo (Eulogy of Oyo)

Oyo is an ancient town in Oyo State, South-Western Nigeria. It was founded as the capital of the Oyo Kingdom in the 1830s and known to its people as ‘New Oyo’ (Ọyọ Atiba) to distinguish it from the former capital to the north, ‘Old Oyo’ (Ọyọ-Ile) which was deserted as a result of rumours of war. Its inhabitants are mostly of the Yoruba people, and its ruler is the imperial majesty Alaafin of Oyo.

The major market in the city is Akesan or Àkèsán market, also called Oja Oba (King’s market) or Akesan Baale Oja (Chief of market), it’s very close to the Alaafin’s Palace, which is opened on a daily basis unlike the other marketplaces, such as Ajegunle market, Irepodun market, Omo-Oba market, Iware which is opened for a five-day interval, and Sabo market (five days).