Efon-Alaaye is an ancient Yoruba town in the present day Ekiti State of the Southwestern part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The hilly community, which founding dated back to the 12th century, is the headquarter of the Efon Local Government Area, being one of the 774 third-tier of government as recognized by the Nigerian constitution.
The illustrious people of Efon Alaaye are predominantly farmers and skilled artisans/artists, who are naturally industrious and endowed. The seemingly temperate climate in a tropical belt allows for the cultivation of cash crops like kolanuts, cocoa, and palm trees; the hills/spur settlement is also reknown for the cultivation of major food products like yam, rice, cassava, maize, and variety of fruits. The economy of Efon people is more influenced by the neighboring Ijesha people of Osun State with whom they shared boundary in the south.
Efon Alaaye people are predominantly Christians, and by the 1930s, there had been a widespread acceptance of Jesus Christ buoyed by the missionary exploits of reverred Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola, the reputed founder of the C.A.C mission worldwide in the town, resulting in a revolution that left the town with several cathedrals. The major denominational groups are, Anglicans, Catholics and the Christ Apostolic Church adherents, and very recently the Pentecostals have also gained ground, including the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Methodist church which have also been established to make their presence felt among these very religious illustrious people.
Politically, the traditional management of the ancient town is like a confederal setting, which revolves around the Kabiyesi, the Alaaye of Efon-Alaaye and the six principal quarters with their Quarter heads known as the “Iwarafa-mefa” who constitutes what is known as the “Alaaye-in-Council”. The six Quarter Heads and their community of jurisdiction are the:
- Obanla of Aaye Quarter
- Obaloja of Obalu Quarter
- Peteko of Isaja Quarter
- Elejigan of Ejigan Quarter
- Alaayo of Emo Quarter
- Ojubu of Ikagbe Quarter.
HRM., OBA (DR.) EMMANUEL ADESANYA ALADEJARE, PhD., CON; JP., AGUNSOYE III, OBALUFON ALAYEMORE, THE ALAAYE OF EFON KINGDOM. Life Grand Patron & Royal Father of the EDL.
