Prince Fagbamila journeyed to Oba after consulting
the Ifa oracle and settled there for nine years as a temporary abode. Oba-Ile, near Akure, the Ondo State capital, thus became
another Emure transit too as some people were left behind by Prince Fagbamila, when he moved to settle at Igbo-Owa.
Igbo Owa means "the Forest of the King." He finally
arrived and settled in Igbo-Owa in the years 1300 AD for about four decades. The descendants of Prince Fagbamila remained
in Igbo-Owa town. Records showed that Emure people lived abundant lives and were prosperous in Igbo- Owa kingdom. However,
after its tremendous expansion, between 1300 and 1771 AD, the Igbo-Owa Kingdom began to experience a decline. The surrounding
towns and villages over which they wiedled power and dominion became too pwerful for the central kingdom to control.
The Princes were deployed as administrators over subordinate
towns and villages to help in collection royalties and maintaining law and order.
The central administration became weak and eventually
in 1779, the Emure Kingdom in Ogbo-Owa collapsed. Notable ones among Igbo-Owa towns and villages under Emure kingdom were
Irun, Odo-Emure, (now known as OdoEmure Agbado), Ado-Ani, Oba and Ikun to mention just a few.
The cracks on the walls of the Igbo-Owa kingdom in
1770 led to the disintegration of Emure Kingdom as some of the people decided to leave the central kingdom to found a new
place of abode. During the journey to a new settlement, a few of the elderly persons could not go further due to tiredness
hence they declared that "they had reached home" which in Yoruba parlance means "ati de le." The place where they settled
then is the present Emure Ile.
Emure kingdom had been governed under a code referred
to as the Native Law and customs and it was a well structured administration in place that emphasized dividion of power.
At the head of the administration in the kingdom was
the King who was regarded as the lord of the community. The chiefs make up the judiciary council, headed by the King.
There was also the military that protected the kingdom
from invasion and was responsible for presecuting wars for the expansion of the kingdom.
The administrative headquarters of the town was the
Palace of the King which is located centrally in the community.
EMURE TRADITIONS, CULTURE AND
FESTIVALS
Emure kingdom takes after Yoruba traditions, culture and festivals as can
be witnessed in the race. There are particular times of the year when certain festivals and traditional practices are observed;
few amongst these traditions include:
a) ILUYONWA:
His Royal Majesty's Yam festival marking the beginning of our calendar year celebrated in September.
b) AIREGBE:
Maiden group dance marking the glorious transformation to puberty stage.
c) ILEODUN:
Annual festival for only male indigenous adults to observe.
d)
ERO: Festival celebrated to mark graduation from (Gbamo) age group to adulthood.
e) OPA-OGURU:
An exercise to correct misconduct in the society.
f) IPON:
Used to detect mysteries.
g) ETINTIN:
Females' celebration with white clothes carrying small native pots of water from Aro brook holding pealed
whips.
h) OGUN:
Festival celebrated in honor of ogun, the god of iron.
i) EGUNGUN:
Festival celebrated in the month of April every year to honor the king by all the quarters.
DEVELOPMENTS IN EMURE KINGDOM
Emure kingdom continues to witness tremendous changes within the last few decades of our settlement at the present
site. These changes are results of the people's determination and hardwork. Emure Ekiti which is the main town and Headquarters
of Emure Local Government Area, there are 98 villages and settlements within the domain.
At the present time, the schools are in dire need
of being rebuilt and several infrastructure must be set in place to enable our children an opportunity for self improvement.
The tourist attractions for visitors are the historic
Ose and Oguru hills.
