**The Legacy of the Kiriji War: A Unique Military and Cultural Legacy in Yorubaland**
September marks 138 years since the end of the Kiriji War, a 16-year civil conflict in Yorubaland. The period left compelling stories of the military tactics and strategies of the ancient warriors, passed down from generation to generation.
The Kiriji War is much bigger than the Ibadan-Ekiti Parapo clash. It involved almost all the Yoruba ethnic groups. Over 400,000 soldiers participated, drawn from different regions and allied with different factions.
Prof Banji Akintoye points out that nearly half a million combatants were engaged in the complex and multifaceted conflict. Areas such as Ijebu in present-day Nigeria provided weapons to the allied forces of Ekiti, while Yoruba from Togo and Benin supported Ibadan. Even Yoruba from present-day Kogi State were present, while Akure, Ikale, Ilaje, Akoko-Edo, and Itsekiri supported Ekiti Parapo with tactical and strategic support.
At the heart of this conflict were class tensions, pitting the ruling class of Ibadan, the wealthy landowners, against the freedom-seeking masses. The military tactics of the ancient Yoruba warriors, taught in infantry schools in Ibadan and Otun Ekiti, as well as the Ballistic Research Centre in Okemesi, left a strategic and tactical legacy that is still studied and admired today.
The use of spies was a widespread practice during the war. Both sides used undercover agents to gather military intelligence. Ibadan even used attractive women as spies, sent into Ekiti territories to gather valuable information. These women, upon capture, could even legally marry Ekiti officers and provide strategic intelligence to the Ibadan army.
Animal behavior studies also played a crucial role in Yoruba warfare tactics. Careful observation of birds, animals and nature helped decipher enemy movements and intentions. Every sign, from the song of birds to the flight of animals, was interpreted as an indication of the enemy’s upcoming actions.
Thus, the Kiriji War reminds us of the ingenuity, complexity and richness of the military and cultural heritage of the ancient Yoruba warriors. Their mastery of warfare tactics, from the use of spies to the careful observation of nature, shows their strategic intelligence and deep connection with their environment. This legacy continues to inspire and inspire admiration, providing valuable lessons for future generations.