I bet you never knew there was a female Alaafin of Oyo at any point in history. Actually, there was one and her name is Oba Orompoto.
Oba Orompoto is the first and perhaps the only female Alaafin of Oyo. She was known for her bravery and tremendous achievements during her reign.
She was the seventh Alaafin of Oyo; and was the sister of her predecessor, Eguguoju. Orompoto assumed the throne because there was no male successor within the royal family at that time (better still, the available males were too young to rule).
It was speculated that her reign lasted from 1554 to 1562.
Oba Orompoto was a fierce warrior; she was feared even by her male counterpart. During her former reign as a regent, she made the biggest and final attack to obliterate the Nupe to ensure they never threaten Oyo again.
Orompoto used horses extensively in military battles and may have obtained them from Borgu. She was reportedly masterfully skilled on horseback and created a specialized order of cavalry officers within her army that were subject to the Eso Ikoyi.
The first of its kind, the cavalry was a force to be reckoned with in the various wars with Oyo’s enemies. Considered a skillful warrior herself, she is said to have distinguished herself at the Battle of Illayi. While fighting her enemies there, she lost three war chiefs in quick succession, titleholders that are known as Gbonkas in Oyo.
The third of them is believed to have fallen with his face locked in an unnerving grin. The enemies thought that he was still alive and was making a mocking gesture, and were overwhelmed by what they considered to be their inability to best the Oyo gbonkas. They abandoned the battlefield thereafter, and the Oyo later claimed victory.
Coronation of Oba Orompoto as Alaafin
The mystery behind the coronation of Orompoto as the Alaafin of Oyo will forever remain a puzzle.
The Oyomesi who was in charge of installing a new Alaafin was not willing to crown Orompoto king. According to the Oyomesi, it was an abomination for a woman to rule over the empire.
In order to disqualify her from ascending the throne, she was given an ultimatum of seven days to become a man so she can be fit for the throne. Immediately after this pronouncement, Orompoto started dressing like a man wearing Agbada and fila (cap).
According to stories, on the seventh day, Orompoto unveiled her upper part and it was completely flat, no breast! The Oyomesi were not impressed, they felt it was possible for a woman to have a flat chest.
So she went on to remove her trouser and according to oral tradition, not only did the Oyomesi saw a penis, a scrotum was seen dangling between her legs.
Immediately, everyone dropped on their chest and chanted ‘Kaabiyesi oooo’ – she was immediately enthroned the Alaafin of Oyo.
Oba Orompoto is regarded as the first transgender in history. She was popularly known as “the custodian of the vagina that kills evil plots”.
After her death, she was succeeded by Ajiboyede
