Ijijen
| Olu Ogbowuru (Ijijen) | |
|---|---|
| Olú of Warri | |
| Reign | 1510–1538 |
| Predecessor | Olu Ginuwa |
| Successor | Olu Irame |
| Born | c. 1482 ijalla, kingdom of Warri |
| Died | 1538 Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri), Warri Kingdom |
| Burial | Ijala Royal Cemetery, Warri |
| House | Ginuwa ruling house |
| Father | Olu Ginuwa I |
| Religion | Traditional Itsekiri beliefs |
| Occupation | Traditional Ruler |
Olu Ijijen (Ogbowuru) was the second Olu of Warri, succeeding his father Ogiame Olu Ginuwa[1][2]. He reigned from 1510 to 1538 and was buried in Ijala[3]. He was succeeded by his brother Olu Irame.[4]
Reign
Ijijen was the first Olu of Warri to reach and settle at Ode-Itsekiri, since his father Ginuwa I had remained at Ijala throughout his own reign.[5] Upon settling at Ode-Itsekiri, he unified the scattered indigenous Itsekiri communities, including Omadino, Ureju, Ugborodo, and Inorin, consolidating them into a single kingdom.[6]
His reign followed the Itsekiri governing maxim Igbo mini, mini igbo ("the people belong to the king, and the king belongs to the people"), reflecting the reciprocal relationship between the Olu and his subjects.[7]
Family
Ijijen was one of two sons of Olu Ginuwa I, the founder of the Warri Kingdom; his younger brother was Olu Irame.[8]Both brothers were born to Urowoli, a woman from the Ureju community whom Ginuwa I married after settling among the Itsekiri people.[9]
References
- ↑ Middleton, John (1 June 2015). World Monarchies and Dynasties. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-45158-7.
- ↑ Bradbury, R. E. (3 February 2017). The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-Speaking Peoples of South-Western Nigeria: Western Africa Part XIII. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-315-29384-4.
- ↑ "Warri Kingdom Monarchs". warrikingdom.org. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
- ↑ "Why we coronate Olu of Warri at Ode-Itsekiri". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ↑ "Why we coronate Olu of Warri at Ode-Itsekiri". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- ↑ "ITSEKIRI GREAT PEOPLE AMAZING HISTORY". Irohin Odua. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- ↑ "ITSEKIRI GREAT PEOPLE AMAZING HISTORY". Irohin Odua. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- ↑ "List Of All The Olu Of Warri From 1475 Till Date". Opera News. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- ↑ "Warri Kingdom Monarchs". Warri Kingdom. Retrieved 30 June 2026.