The Ketu Kingdom was the westernmost of the seven classical Yoruba kingdoms. According to Yoruba tradition, these kingdoms were founded by the descendants of Oduduwa, who migrated westward from Ile-Ife, the spiritual cradle of the Yoruba people. Oduduwa is revered in Yoruba cosmology as the progenitor of kings and, in mythic tradition, as the one commissioned by Olórun (the Supreme Deity) to create the earth.
Origins of Kétu
Tradition credits Sopasan as the first Oba (king) in the royal lineage of Kétu. Although the city itself did not yet exist during his lifetime, he led the migration from Ile-Ife of the people who would eventually settle there. It was the seventh king, Ede, who formally founded the city of Kétu.
The settlement was established on a plateau with very limited water sources, giving rise to the Yoruba saying:
“Water becomes honey in Ketu.”
Because of scarce natural springs, inhabitants relied on rainwater collected in cisterns and dry wells. While this limited the city’s population size, the elevated plateau provided formidable natural defense. Historically, Kétu was conquered only once.
Sacred Foundations and Fortifications
Kétu was built around a sacred Iroko tree, central to its spiritual identity. Oral tradition recounts that a human sacrifice was required to fortify and protect the town. A hunchback from a nearby Ewe community was sacrificed at the entrance, and from this legend came the name “Kétu,” linked to the Yoruba phrase:
“Ke ‘tu ike?” – “Who straightens the hump?”
The implication was that just as no one could straighten a hump, no one could destroy Kétu.
The fourteenth Oba, Sa, constructed a massive Iroko-wood gate called Idena (“Sentry”). From this gate stretched an immense clay wall encircling the city, reinforced by deep ditches and thorn hedges—making Kétu one of the most fortified Yoruba cities of its time.
The Title: Alákétu
The ruler of Kétu bears the title Alákétu, meaning “Owner of Kétu.” From the twenty-fifth Alákétu onward, succession rotated among five royal houses:
Alapini
Magbo
Aro
Mesa
Mefu
This rotational system helped maintain balance among ruling lineages.
Wars with Dahomey
To the west, Kétu bordered Fon-speaking peoples who later founded the powerful Kingdom of Dahomey. Over time, Dahomey became Kétu’s fiercest rival. After numerous conflicts, Dahomey conquered Kétu in 1886.
Eventually, both kingdoms fell under French colonial rule and became part of modern-day Benin, while most other Yoruba kingdoms came under British control and later formed part of Nigeria.
Today, Kétu survives under the French-influenced name Ketou, where the Alákétu continues to serve as custodian of centuries-old traditions.
List of Alákétu (1795–2004)
Below is a historical list of rulers of Kétu from the late 18th century:
1795–1816 – Ajibolu
1816–1853 – Adebiya
1853–December 1858 – Adegbede
December 1858–1867 – Adiro
1867–1883 – Osun Ojeku
1883–1886 – Agidigbo Hungbo
1886 – Conquest by Dahomey
1893–1894 – Ida (Regent)
13 February 1894–1918 – Oyengen
1918–1936 – Ademufekun Dudu
1937–1963 – Alamu Adewori Adegibite
1964–2004 – Pascal Adeoti Adetutu
Historical Significance
The Alákétu dynasty represents over six centuries of Yoruba kingship, migration history, warfare, spiritual symbolism, and political resilience. Kétu stands as a powerful reminder of the interconnected histories of Yoruba and Fon peoples, and of the enduring legacy of traditional monarchy in West Africa.
Source
Yoruba oral traditions on Kétu Kingdom
Regional historical accounts of Dahomey–Kétu wars
Archival royal records of Ketou
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