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Ilara-Mokin (Yoruba: Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín) is an Ekiti town located in a central part of Ifedore local government of Ondo State. Ilara-Mokin is well known for her rich and preserved culture, academics, agriculture and tourism. Ilara-Mokin is about 12 km from Ondo state capital, and has Ipogun, Ipinsa, Ikota, Ibule-Soro and Ero as neighbouring towns.

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2018)

Ilara-Mokin Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín, Ùláá
Urban metro
Nickname(s):  Ilara, Ùláá
Ilara-Mokin Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 7°20′53″N 5°06′52″E
Country	Nigeria
State	Ondo
Government
• Alara	Oba Abiodun Aderemi Adefehinti
Area
• Total	32 km2 (12 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate  (2019)	45,000
Time zone	UTC+1 (WAT)
Climate	Tropical savanna climate (Aw)
Website	http://www.ilaramokin.org/

History

This section does not cite any sources. (August 2021)

According to oral history, the first Alara, or King, of Ilara Mokin was Obalufon Modulua Olutipin, who is said to be the same person as Obalufon Ogbogbodirin or Obalufon Alayemore, rulers of Ife between the 14th and 16th centuries whom established many different settlements before returning to Ile-Ife to rule. They were direct descendants of the semi-legendary Yoruba founder Oduduwa. Among those settlements was what is now known as the town of Ilara-Mokin. After being deposed from the throne by Oranmiyan, he led his family and supporters from Ile-Ife, to a site in modern-day Ekiti or Ondo region, and placed his son Ayajo on the throne before returning to Ile-Ife.[1] The people, known as the Ará people (a Yorùbá) word meaning relative, or family, migrated for several centuries in the region until they arrived at a permanent location for safety and resources in the 1840s-1850s as civil wars plagued Yorubaland, which is their present location.[2]

The name Ilara-Mokin comes from the contraction of the phrase, "ì ní ará mọ ọ̀kín" (in the native Èkìtì dialect, "ù ní ará mọ ọ̀kín), meaning "The people who have many relatives and are as honorable as the royal bird. The word ọ̀kín, now attributed to the peacock in modern days, originally referred pure white bird known for its beautiful feathers, and said to represent royalty and prestige. It is often called "Ọba Ẹyẹ," "King of the Birds." The phrase was later contracted to " Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín," or "Ùlárá-Mọ̀kín." The people of Ilara migrated to their present location in the early 19th century after a series of wars with towns such as Ile-Oluji. They were welcomed to their present location by the Akure and Igbara-Oke people. As a town in the Ekiti region, they were also influenced by Benin Kingdom. During the Kiriji War, Ilara served as the headquarters for the spy unit of the Ekiti-Parapo army.

The town consists of 5 historical sections that arose from the migration of different groups to the present location. Each of the groups are led by one or a series of chiefs. The oldest sections are the Òkè-Òde and Odò-Ùgbẹ̀yìn.

• The first one, Okè-Òde. The six-highest ranking chieftains of the town, known as the Iarefa, come from this town. The families that produce these chieftains are called Iare, they serve as the members of council of kingmakers who decide the King as well as the priests who uphold the rituals of the Yoruba religion and the worship of the orisha. The second and third in command chiefs of the town, the Lísà and Ọbaálá, are the leaders of this section. Other chiefs from this section include the Arálọyìn, Ọṣíndílẹ̀, and Sẹ́lẹmọ̀.
• The second one, Odò-Ùgbẹyìn, are the oldest section of the town, and include members of the royal family. As such, the Alárá, or king of the town comes from this unit. The leading chief of the section is the Ọ̀ṣọgbọ́n.
• The others are the Ùró (Okè-Ìró), which is led by the chief Sáo, the Oke-Awo (or Ao), of which the chiefs Aláwo/Aláo and Ojumu lead, and the Ùdọ̀fin (Ọ̀dọ̀fin), of which the chief Ọ̀dọ̀fin is the leader. Ọ̀dọ̀fin is also regarded as an Iare chief.

Culture

The people of Ilara Mokin celebrate many holidays. The first one is Mokin Day,[3] which takes place in the month of November. Next is "Ọdun Ìjẹṣu"[4] which translates as Holiday of Eating Yam, which celebrates a successful harvest.

This is celebrated in the first week of September. It is referred as "Ìjẹṣu" because the major crop grown as sold are Yams (uṣu), and it is also a staple food. During the Ijesu period, many rituals are done such as Obèrèmóyè, which consists of a whipping contest, and apoporo, a drumming and dance performed during the night.

Another festival is known as "Àjàlémògún" in honor of the deity Àjàlémògún, the main orisa of Ilara-Mokin which has played a central role in the legendary history of the town. The festival, which is no longer done, consisted of carrying a large figurine representing the deity from the forest to the market in the center of the town. Many rituals, which are now frowned upon, are said to be appeasing the deity and bring peace, joy, and prosperity to the land.[5]

Many people from Ilara still practice the traditional Yoruba religion, and thus have the Ògún festival in September, and also have a festival devoted to Oshun in July.

Oriki Ilara-Mokin (in the Èkìtì dialect of Yorùbá)

• Ùláá-Mọ̀kín
• Ọmọ a sèbẹ̀ bíí à rí mọ̀ ṣiṣẹ́
• Ọmọ a sèbẹ̀ motuuru jagun
• Ùláá a mọbẹ̀ sísè, uyan ni ọ́ ń gún rọ́ ni Mọ̀kín ríà
• Ùláá li akọ́bí ọmọ Oòduà kee l'Ufẹ̀.
• Upòlé ríà lọ́pẹ tí múdí ṣe kan, ke e mọ orí ṣe méjì
• Kan tí mú kèrègbè méjì da ẹmú Ajígun Ọlọ́fìn
• Ibe ní ọ ń tí r'Ọlọ́fin kí an tí i rí Aro
• Ọmọ Olúpòlé Aárá kan ọ́ ń tí í mago udẹ mómi
• Ọmọ a korò mẹ́fa ṣe loríjọ
• Bá ṣe sa 'bèrèmóyè, lá gbé ‘Lóyeré, lá gbé Ọlọ́fìn
• Ọmọ a ṣorò ka apopona igi jó
• Ọmọ a ṣorò kọ̀gbẹ̀rì kó
• A gbọ́mọ ligi kẹ́jẹ̀ rẹ̀ ṣòkòtò
• A gbọ́mọ ligi kó tó yalayala
• Ọmọ a jà bí àrìrà
• Ọmọ a jà bí ìbọn

Translation

• Ilara-Mokin
• The ones that cook like they don't know how to do anything else (Ilara-Mokin are known for their wide yam farming, and thus there pounded yam is widely renowned)
• The ones that cook to revitalize soldiers
• Ilara knows how to cook, iyan is what they pound standing up in our Mokin
• Ilara is the first born of the children of Oduduwa from Ile-Ife
• The place they originated from is where the palm tree has one trunk, and has two heads
• Then, they get a gourd and can pour two palm wines for Ajigun Olofin (an important figure in Ilara-Mokin oral history)
• There, we will see Olofin before me meet Aro (Aro is the leader of the Àjàlémògún festival)
• The child of Ara that will use a brass cup to drink water (The founder of Ilara, Obalufon, is the patron deity of brassmaking)
• The ones who do six festivals in one day
• When we do the Oberemoye ritual, we carry Loyere, we also do Ọlọ́fìn.
• The ones who do a ritual and spread sticks along the road
• The one who does a ritual, so strangers must leave
• The one who hits someone with a branch and blood soaks their pants (this refers to the Oberemoye whipping contest)
• The one who hits someone with a branch before it breaks
• The ones who fight like thunder
• The ones who fight like a gun

Language

The people of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín speak the Ekiti dialect of Yoruba, most similar to the language of Akure, and Igbara-oke, and some closeness to the Ado-Ekiti dialect.

Administration

This section does not cite any sources. (November 2018)

Ilara-Mokin is ruled by the Alara of Ilara Mokin, currently Oba Abiodun Aderemi Adefehinti, Agbekorun II, who has been ruling since 17 July 1998,[6] after succeeding Alara Oba Solomon Ojopagogo Afinbiokin, Adeyeye II. Surrounding him is a cabinet a chiefs, listed below in ranking order:

• Olóyè Lísà (Àbá'ísà)
• Olóyè Ọbaálá
• Olóyè Ọdọfin
• Olóyè Aláwo
• Olóyè Àró (Àbá'ró)
• Olóyè Sáo (Àbá Sáo)
• Olóyè Ọ̀ṣọ̀gbọ̀n (Àbáṣọ̀gbọn)
• Ìyálóde (head of Women affairs)
• Olóyè Ọdunò
• Olóyè Sẹ́lẹ́mọ (Àbá Sẹ́lẹ́mọ)
• Olóyè Ológun-Sinkin (Àbá Ológùn-Sinkin)
• Olóyè Ọ̀ṣìndílẹ̀ (Àbá'ṣìndílẹ̀)
• Olóyè Arálọ́yìn (Àbá'ralọ́yìn)

There are also chiefs that represent the hunters, farmers, and blacksmiths [7]

Geography

Ilara Mokin is a fertile rich grassland and forest. It is surrounded to the north by the towns of Igbara Oke and Ero. To the south includes the towns of Isarun, Ikota, Ibule Soro, and a few miles, the Ondo State capital Akure. ^{[citation needed]}

Education

This section does not cite any sources. (November 2018)

Primary and Secondary Education

• St. Michael Primary School
• The Apostolic High School
• Muslim Primary School
• Muslim Comprehensive High School
• St. Andrew's Primary School
• St. Joseph's Primary School
• The Apostolic Primary School

Universities/Colleges

• Public Service Training Institute[8]
• Elizade University[9]

Media

Radio

• Adaba FM

Notable People

• Michael Ade-Ojo, (b. 1938) businessman, founder of Elizade University[10]
• Wahab Adegbenro, (1955 - 2020) Nigerian Physician and Ondo State Commissioner of Health[11]
• Dele Ojo, (1938 – 2018) Nigerian musician and performer, who was a prominent musician in the Juju genre of music.[12]

Photo Gallery of Ilara Mokin

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  St Andrews Anglican Primary School, Ilara Mokin

References

External links

• Ilara – welcome to ilara mokin
• Home | Elizade University

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