Historical Background And Geography Of Aramoko-Ekiti

Aramoko-Ekiti is the Headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government in Ekiti State. It is an ancient town with access roads to all parts of Ekiti and Osun States. It is approximately 26 kilometers to Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, 15 kilometers to Ijero-Ekiti, 15 kilometers to the warm spring at Ikogosi Ekiti and about 42 kilometers to Ilesa in Osun State.

From time immemorial, Aramoko-Ekiti has been a sovereign town. The founder and the first ruler was one of the sixteen Obas and foremost Paramount Rulers in Yorubaland with full traditional right and authority to wear without any harm of danger the Original Special beaded crown decorated with sixteen birds. (The Eiye Okin, 'Iyere Okin', symbolised it) was bestowed on him by the ODUDUWA (The progenitor of all Yoruba race) and other emblems of ruling Authority before they were sent out of Ile-Ife (The cradle of Yoruba Race) to search for suitable land on which they could set-up their respective kingdoms independent of one another's control.

As an ancient town, its history dates back to many centuries ago. Aramoko Ekiti has a unique historical beginning with very rich traditional and cultural heritage to be proud of. In those olden days, the administration of the town was entirely in the hands of a council of seventeen high chiefs which also constitute the kingmakers. Chief Ologbudu who is called EYELOGBUDU is a woman. She is traditionally recognized as the head of all the womenfolk in Aramoko Kingdom.

There are three Ruling Houses in Aramoko Kingdom: -

• The OLOKUN
• The OKINBALOYE
• The ARAKALE

The present Oba, Alayeluwa Oba JACOB OLUWOLE AMELE OKINBALOYE II M.H.C.; The Alara of Aramoko Kingdom is from Okinbaloye ruling house. He is the thirtieth Alara and the twentieth Alara after OBA ALAMOYE and the tenth Alara after OBA ODUNDUN I, who reigned during the Ibadan war.

The traditional institutions in Aramoko are very much alive till date. Special festivities for peace, good harvest, prevention of diseases and death of young people are staged or held annually and occassionally as they are due for such ancestral gods such as OGUN, IJUKU, ALELE, ORISA OWARUNLA and all the give OSUNS of Ara. The two of the important annual events which attract many visitors to the town are OLOKUN and ODUN EGUNGUN ARA festivals. Because of her peaceful co-existence, and traditional hospitality of the people of Aramoko, many people have come to Aramoko Kingdom to settle and make a living either as farmers, traders, professionals and civil servants. It is interesting to note that some communities such as the Igbos; the Urhobos, the Itsekiris; the Hausas, the Oyos, the Igbiras e.t.c. who have settled and inter-married with the indigenes.

Agriculture is the main and traditional occupation of the community. This is supplemented by petty trading by the womenfolk. The farmers cultivate wide range of food crops viz:- yam, cassava, maize, rice, plantain and banana. The cash crops are mainly cocoa, kolanuts and timber.

Some Past Alara Of Aramoko

Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race had two sons - OKANBI and ODOFIN. Oranmiyan was the first son of Okanbi while ALARA was the first son of Olofin. Adimula succeeded Oduduwa on the throne at Ile-Ife (the cradle of all Yoruba race). Other sons of Olofin are Ajero,Orangun and Owa Obokun.

In the olden days, Alamoye who was the Tenth Alara, relocated the throne from Ohan to the present site at ARA . He thereafter installed his nephew as Olohan of Erijiyan to look after the sacred site of the old throne.

ARAMOKO ANTHEM

1. ARA ULU OLA
   ARA MO F'ERAN RE
   K'ARA SAN WA, K'ARA YE WA
   ARA ULU AYO.
2. ULU OLOKIKI
   ARA MO F'ERAN RE
   K'ARA YE WA, K'ARA SAN WA
   ARA ULU OLA.
3. OMO ALARAMOKO
   L'EJIDOGBON AGOGO UDE
   ALARA M'OI PORI ISA
   OKAN I KI MI, A ROKO AGA O, ARA
   ARA PELU IFE, JUMO K'AGBARA GA
   K'ARA YE WA, K'ARA SAN WA
   ARA ULU AYO.

Some Notable Alaras After Alamoye

S/No	Alaras after Alamoye	Year
1.	Afinbiokin	1854 - 1860
2.	Otutu Bi Osun	1860 - 1862
3.	Oyinbode Akarawale	1862 - 1870
4.	Ogbagba	1870 - 1873
5.	Arakale	1873 - 1880
6.	Odundun	1880 - 1888
7.	Amudipote	1888 - 1892
8.	Okinbaloye I	1892 - 1902
9.	Atobatele	1902 - 1908
10.	Atakorogbaa	1908 - 1909
11.	Arasowole I	1909 - 1914
12.	Arigbajoye	1914 - 1920
13.	Atewogboye	1920 - 1942
14.	Atayerobiagogo	1942 - 1949
15.	Arasowole II	1949 - 1996

Aramoko-Ekiti Kingmakers

AGBA ODE	AGBA ILE	ELERI MARUN
Asao	Atiba	Oisinkin
Oloje	Asasa	Ologbosere
Ojoko	Okunato	Eledaun
Ogboni	Elejofi	Sajowa
Odofin	Aasan	Emila
Ologbudu	Salotun

Towns And Villages Making Up Aramokoland

1. Aramoko-Ekiti Hq. Ekiti West Local Govt.
2. Ajaye Oke - Administered by Elejofi
3. Ajaye Odo - Administered by Elejofi
4. Temidire - Administered by Elejofi
5. Ile-Ona - Administered by Olona
6. Kajola - Administered by Odogun
7. Ajebamidele - Administered by Atiba
8. Ile-Egbe - Administered by Alafe
9. Surulere - Administered by Oisinkin
10. Orisunmibare - Administered by Okunato
11. Temidire Akola - Administered by Ogboni
12. Surulere - Administered by Sajowa
13. Olorunsogo - Administered by Asasa
14. Araromi Oke-Aro - Administered by Elejingbo

Club and Associations

• Exclusive Club of Aramoko
• Aramoko Social Club
• Club 25 of Aramoko-Ekiti
• Prestige Brothers Club (Akure)
• Aramoko Dynamic Club
• Progressive Wheelers Club
• Everly Sisters Club
• Kings Club of Aramoko
• Ifeloju Social Club
• Irepodun Awawa Social Club
• Ireti Olu Social Club
• Klub 'M' of Aramoko Ekiti
• Eminient Klub of Aramoko Ekiti
• Inner Circle Club of Aramoko
• Ifelodun Club of Aramoko
• Blessed Circle Club - Aramoko
• Unity Sisters Club - Aramoko
• Basatia Club of Aramoko
• Eclat Ebonnites Klob
• Club 12 of Aramoko
• Ijelu Rock Fans Club
• Hope Raising Club of Aramoko
• Mercy Sisters Club
• Aramoko Improvements (TR's)
• Friendly Allied Club
• Association of Friends
• Mayokun Club of Aramoko
• Skala Club of Aramoko
• Aramoko Progressive Sisters
• Arcadian Club of Aramoko
• Millenium Club of Aramoko
• Aramoko Progressive Stars Club
• De-Millenium Club of Aramoko
• Home is the Best Club of Aramomo