Providing a sense of continuity within our community by passing down practices, beliefs, values, and customs from generation to generation, thus shaping social norms and preserving our community's heritage through shared experiences and rituals. IDARIKA: A Tale of Migration and Mystery
Idarika Kingdom (also referred to as Idarika Likako) is a town near the Ibu River in the Ikenne Local Government
Area, Ogun - State. Ogun - State, Nigeria
In Yoruba identity and power politics, it must be noted that Idarika originally migrated from Ile Ife, the cradle of Yoruba race in 18th century to the previous ancient location known as ORILE IDARIKA. Idarika a small but resilient town, traces its migration spurred by war, and later settled in their current location in Iperu. The ancient town "ORILE IDARIKA" is encircled by a protective wall, a testament to its history of enduring conflict. Its inhabitants, deeply rooted in their cultural heritage, worship various deities and engage in trade at a bustling market square. The KotoKoto stream, a vital source of water, is fed by five wells that yield remarkably clean water. To maintain its purity, local youths are tasked with cleaning the wells, removing any debris and ensuring the health of the aquatic life within. Idarika's governance is shared among three ruling houses:
Igundaniyan
Alabediyan Ewa
Odu Ase - Onasanya
These families have played a pivotal role in shaping the town's history and traditions. A peculiar legend surrounds a woman known as “Moshikodo” who sold fried bean cakes (akara) in ancient Idarika. Despite her delicious treats, the woman's refusal to leave her selling spot aroused suspicion among the village elders. Seeking answers, they consulted an Ifa priest, who advised on appropriate sacrifices to uncover the mystery. On a fateful day, a swarm of termites emerged from the ground and bit the woman's tail, causing her to jump up in pain and flee. Her secret, long hidden, was exposed. The villagers, now aware of the mystical truth, pursued her until she disappeared into the ground. From that spot, a peculiar whitish water began to flow, earning the location the name "Odo Moshikodo." - Moshikodo River. This legend, passed down through generations, adds a layer of mystique to Idarika's history, highlighting the town's enduring spirit and the power of ancient beliefs. Idarika shared boundaries with other Remo towns: Ogere, Idena, Sagamu, Ibido and Iperu. In the 1800 during the formation of Remo Metalelogbon, the Remo people used to organize a certain big assembly or meeting which brought the 33 Remo towns together to convene at this assembly, they [the towns] would consider the issues that could improve well-being in Remo towns through sacrifice, business activities and war. Also, if a war threatened one of them, they would all know about it. Idarika was the place they chose in order to meet there. Remo towns as a group that denied itself through institutionalized cooperation and discussion, much like a regional federation on the basis of shared interests, the towns’ representatives renewed their agreement to cooperate during regular assemblies at Idarika. During these meetings the representatives discussed matters of common concern, including business concerns and conflicts as much as spiritual questions. The place of assembly, Idarika, was centrally located near the present Iperu. Idarika, Remo town of assembly never became a Remo capital, neither was the assembly place moved to Ofin, which had emerged as the leading Remo town by the nineteenth century. However, around 1832, the allied armies established in northern Remo went to Egbaland for another raid, but this time they were heavily defeated encouraged by their success, the Egba retaliated and successfully invaded Remo in 1835–6, destroying at least twelve towns before the Remo armies drove them back. Several of these settlements were not rebuilt and their people and institutions moved to other towns, but the towns of Ipara, Makun, Iperu, Ikorodu and Ofin were rebuilt after their destruction. The assembly place of the Remo federation at Idarika had been destroyed during the war, which made several indigenes of Idarika to move to nearby town of Iperu, Ogere and Ikenne, no attempts were made to revive the Rémo Métàlélógbòn meetings until after Sagamu town was established in 1872. The current ruler of Idarika Kingdom is:
His Royal Highness Oba (Sir) Olugbenga J. Shomade - Igundaniyan III, who ascended the throne on July 24, 2024.
