The Ethnohistory and Archaeology of Warfare in Northern Yoruba

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	The Ethnohistory and Archaeology of Warfare in Northern Yoruba
Author:	Usman, Aribidesi
Year:	2003
Periodical:	Journal of African Archaeology
Volume:	1
Issue:	2
Pages:	201-214
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	Yoruba Yoruba polities war archaeology history ethnic groups traditional polities Anthropology and Archaeology Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) History and Exploration Ethnic and Race Relations
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/43135321
Abstract:	The location of Igbomina in the middle belt of Nigeria and as a frontier Yoruba region opened it to the influence of the powerful and competing States of Oyo, Nupe, Fulani, and Ibadan. The expansion of the Oyo Empire in the 16th century, which was accompanied by a large migration of Yoruba northward, led to frequent military aggression on the northern boundary with the Nupe. This paper examines military aggression in the Igbomina area of north central Yorubaland. Military threat or warfare initiated various responses in Igbomina, as evident in community aggregation, the building of fortifications, the production of weapons, and settlement abandonment. The high level of military aggression in Igbomina also acted as an instrument of sociopolitical change in the area as seen in increased centralized control and hierarchy. Oral historical sources and archaeological surveys and excavations form the core of this examination of military aggression in Igbomina. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract]