Discovering the Lost Yoruba People: My Journey from Ibadan to Benin Republic

The story of the Yoruba people stretches far beyond the borders of modern Nigeria, with deep roots in Oyo Ile, the heart of the old Oyo Empire. This journey began in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, and took me through several significant points in history and culture. My goal was simple but profound: to reconnect with the lost Yoruba people of Oyo Ile, who ended up in what is now Benin Republic, especially through the dark era of the slave trade.

My name is Adetona Oluwabunmi, a Yoruba researcher based in Ibadan, the historical capital of Oyo State. My passion for uncovering the rich legacy of the Yoruba people has led me on a profound journey of discovery, tracing the footsteps of my ancestors across borders and centuries. In my most recent research, I traveled to Benin Republic, following the trail of the lost Yoruba people from Oyo Ile—a journey filled with emotion, history, and deep reflection on the impact of the slave trade. Join me as I recount this eye-opening experience and share insights that challenge common misconceptions about our past.

My trip started with a train ride from Ibadan, passing through Agege, and then by road from Mile 2 to Badagry, where my adventure and research truly began. Badagry, a coastal town rich in history, immediately captured my attention. It’s a place where the Yoruba people from Oyo Ile and the Egun (Fon) people from Benin Republic coexist. The legacy of the slave trade still lingers in the atmosphere, and I knew this would be a deeply emotional exploration.

My first stop was the Mobe Family Museum, where I was allowed to touch and lift the real chains used during the slave trade. The experience left me speechless—how could anyone bear such heavy shackles for more than eight hours, let alone for days? This moment triggered a wave of emotions and raised questions in my mind about the humanity of those involved in the trade.

From the museum, I visited the first storey building in Nigeria, constructed in 1847 by European missionaries. It was later handed over to Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a significant figure in Yoruba history and the translator of the Bible into Yoruba. Among the many historical artifacts, I was struck by seeing the first Yoruba Bible, a testament to the strength of culture and language even in times of turmoil. This sight helped calm the anger that had been building since my museum visit.

One of the most moving parts of the trip was my journey to the Ark of No Return, where countless slaves had passed on their way to being sold into bondage. I walked for 45 minutes on sand, imagining the pain and sorrow of those who had been forced down the same path. Standing at the Ark, I couldn’t hold back tears, feeling the weight of history and the injustice done to my ancestors.

The question of responsibility weighed heavily on my mind. Were the European traders solely to blame, or did some local powers bear responsibility as well? When I asked my tour guide, he offered a balanced view—both sides played a part in this dark chapter of history. This thought has reshaped my research and will be a central theme in my upcoming book on the Oyo Empire and the slave industry, due for publication next year.

Oyo Ile, the seat of the Oyo Empire, doesn’t get the recognition it deserves today. Many focus on the tributes collected by the empire, but they forget the protection and leadership Oyo offered the Yoruba people and other neighboring regions. In my research, I’ve identified five key benefits that other Yoruba states gained from Oyo during that era—benefits that are often overlooked. I’ll be sharing more about this in a video next month, but I want to emphasize that Oyo’s contributions were far more than just military strength or political dominance.

The final stop in Badagry was the Brazilian Baracoon, a site used by Portuguese traders to store enslaved people before shipping them abroad. The 10-by-10-foot room, which held 40 slaves for over 100 days, was horrifying. My anger, which had calmed earlier, returned with full force, and I found myself speechless as the tour concluded.

My journey doesn’t end here. I’ll be heading to Benin Republic, where I plan to visit Ouidah, also known as the “Slave Town,” and the Point of No Return. This trip will continue to shape my understanding of the slave trade, the lost Yoruba people, and the resilience of my ancestors. I invite you to keep me in your prayers as I continue this research and share more insights in the coming months.