Lifestyle
Saki: The Ancient Yoruba Town with a Rich Legacy Saki (also spelled Shaki) (PHOTOS)
Located in the northwestern part of Oyo State, Nigeria, is one of the most historically significant towns in Yorubaland. Known for its elevated terrain, agricultural prominence, and deep-rooted traditions, Saki remains a vital symbol of Yoruba identity, spiritual heritage, and resilience.
Geography and Location
Saki is situated approximately 184 kilometers northwest of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Geographically, it lies on longitude 3.42° East and latitude 8.41° North, with an altitude of about 1,500 meters above sea level. The town is surrounded by rolling hills, including the famous Asabari Hill, which rises to over 2,000 meters.
Saki is bordered by the Ofiki River, a tributary of the Ogun River. Its savannah vegetation and rivers like Taba and Foofoo have historically provided water and supported agricultural activity. The Foofoo stream has since been dammed to serve as a modern water source for the town.
Founding and Historical Significance
Saki’s origin dates back to the late 12th or early 13th century when Ogun, the eldest son of Oduduwa, was sent to explore and administer distant lands within the Yoruba Kingdom. After Oduduwa lost his sight, Ogun temporarily ruled from Saki, issuing commands to other parts of the kingdom. For this reason, Saki once served as a central seat of Yoruba leadership.
The name “Saki” is believed to have originated from an exclamation by Oranmiyan, another son of Oduduwa, during a confrontation involving a local leader named Oke-Kesi. Oranmiyan reportedly said “N ṣakiri,” meaning “he is running about,” a phrase that eventually evolved into “Saki.”
Cultural Heritage and Traditions
Saki has strong spiritual connections, particularly with Ogun—the Yoruba god of iron and war. According to legend, Ogun lived and died in Saki, making the town a sacred place for his worshippers. Today, sacrifices and traditional rituals are still offered in his honor at Ogidigbo, a sacred site in Saki.
The town is also linked to other key Yoruba figures such as Oke-Kesi and Ekunsimi, the wife of the first Okere of Saki, whose spirit is believed to dwell in the Ogun River near Iseyin.
Leadership and Governance
The traditional ruler of Saki is known as the Okere of Saki. Following the death of Oba Kilani Olatoyese Ilufemiloye in 2013, the throne remained vacant for several years. After much consultation and legal review, Oba Khalid Olabisi Oyeniyi was officially appointed Okere of Saki on December 18, 2019.
Economic Importance and Agriculture
Saki is widely referred to as the food basket of Oyo State due to its agricultural productivity. Major crops cultivated in the area include yams, maize, cassava, beans, okra, rice, sorghum, tobacco, indigo, and cotton. The town also supports livestock farming and is home to a government livestock station.
Craftsmanship and Commerce
Saki is renowned for its aluminum pot production, a skill passed down through generations. Its thriving weekly market, the Sango Market, attracts traders and buyers from far and wide, contributing significantly to the town’s economy.
Infrastructure and Health
Saki has several health facilities, including both government and private hospitals. A major branch of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, is currently under construction in the town and is expected to improve healthcare access for residents.
Tourism and Landscape
One of the most striking natural features of Saki is its towering granite hill, an inselberg that rises over 1,600 feet. This site offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and holds potential for eco-tourism and hiking activities.
Saki is not just a town—it is a vital chapter in the story of the Yoruba people. Its historical relevance, cultural depth, and economic strength make it a cornerstone of Yoruba civilization. From its early role in the leadership of the Yoruba kingdom to its current status as a thriving agricultural and commercial center, Saki continues to hold a unique and enduring place in Nigerian history.
Let the name Saki be remembered, not just as a location, but as a living testament to the heritage, strength, and vision of the Yoruba people.
FOLLOW US ON:
He was reacting to the recent protest by Ghanaians demanding Nigerians must leave their country.
Nollywood actor and politician Yul Edochie has urged Igbos in diaspora to return home.
He was reacting to the recent protest by Ghanaians demanding Nigerians must leave their country.
In a post on Facebook, he urged Igbos abroad to to return and invest in their homeland.
Taking to his page, he wrote:
“Ndi Igbo come back home and invest in Igbo land.
If you’re facing rejection on foreign soil, it’s not a sign to fight anybody, it’s a sign to return home.
We have wandered for too long.
Home is calling.
Our ancestors and spirits in Igbo Land are calling us to return home and develop home.
A new dawn has come in Igbo land.
It’s time to return home.
Ana amalu mma si na uno wee puo ilo,” he wrote.
FOLLOW US ON:
Enenche claimed that the nation is under an evil spell amid the economic hardship ravaging the country.
Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche has revealed the problem of Nigeria.
According to him, the country is under a demonic spell and witchcraft.
He said that’s the reason why the people have continued to tolerate suffering and hardship.
“There’s a blanket of sorcery and darkness over this nation; an evil spell making people tolerate what should provoke outrage,” he wrote.
In a post on his official X account on Thursday, the cleric highlighted the economic struggles faced by many Nigerians, noting that increasing numbers of church members now line up after services not for spiritual counseling or prayer, but for basic needs such as rent, school fees, food and medical bills.
“People are suffering. Pastors are drained. Members now queue after service not for prayer, but for help,” he lamented.
He also criticized political leaders for what he described as their insensitivity and failure to address the dire situation across the country.
“Yet, the leaders act as though nothing is wrong. This is not normal. It is witchcraft. A spell of patience in captivity. A demonic tolerance of suffering.”
Calling for divine intervention, Enenche declared: “Let every evil spell over this land be broken! Let those misruling with arrogance and mocking the people’s pain face divine judgment. They shall not see the celebration of their wickedness.”
FOLLOW US ON:
Lifestyle
Spirits Are Angry – Actor, Yul Edochie Talks About Why There Are Too Many Early And Untimely De@ths In Nigeria
According to him, he recently traveled from Anambra to Abia state and was taken aback by the number obituaries he saw of young people.
Actor Yul Edochie has expressed concern over the alarming rate of early and untimely de@ths in Nigeria.
According to him, he recently travelled from Anambra to Abia state and was taken aback by the number obituaries he saw of young people.
He attributed the early de@ths to the ancestors and spirits being angry because many have abandoned traditional ways of worship.
He said the society needs spiritual cleansing and every African needs to return to traditional religion.
FOLLOW US ON:
-
Education2 weeks agoHow A Class Of 24 Students Produced 2 Presidents, 4 Governors, 2 Ministers, 4 Emirs, 3 Justices, 4 Ambassadors and Other Influential Leaders
-
News2 weeks ago‘Sleeping Prince’ of Saudi Arabia dies after 20 years in coma
-
News2 weeks agoWhy Do You Continue To Lie Against Your Motherland? Presidency Calls Out Kemi Badenoch
-
News6 days agoLagos belongs to no tribe – Sowore kicks against renaming of Charly Boy Bus Stop, others
-
Lifestyle1 week agoPeople Who Abandon Their Heritage Do So At Their Own Peril – Gani Adams Warns
-
Politics2 weeks ago‘If I don’t give you electricity, don’t vote for me again’ – ADC reminds Tinubu of failed promise
-
News6 days agoYou can’t lie about your country and then we keep quiet – Dabiri-Erewa slams Kemi Badenoch over claim on Nigerian citizenship
-
Lifestyle7 days agoActor Odunlade Adekola has sadly lost his father