By Odutola Christian Amans
The palace of the Deji of Akure land, irrespective of the passing of time and the threat of foreign influences still retains its original architectural designs. No part of the building has collapsed – the over seventeen courtyards are still intact, and still being used. Built about 1150 AD, through communal effort as it was the custom of the people in that era. The construction was initiated and supervised by the first Oba (Asodeboyede) of the Akure kingdom. Oral history has it that the construction was facilitated with the efforts of a palace servant (Kolepon) and the community (through communal labour). The mud and sand used in constructing the palace were dug from the `Ipeleta` area within Akure. Evidence of the activity can still be found in the excavated area. The functional plan of the palace is a characteristic of the Yoruba royal compound, and the beauty is evident in neighboring Edo traditional architecture and other ancient outstanding indigenous architecture in Nigeria.
The original attributes of the building are mud sand, thatched leaves, and date palm wood used by the traditional builders, and an excellently designed drainage system. In the course of ensuring that the palace was in good condition some changes were effected with respect to its building materials; for example, the thatched roof was replaced with corrugated iron sheets during the reign of Oba Afunbiowo Adesida1 between 1897 and 1957. Making it the first structure to be roofed with corrugated roofing sheet in Akure. The building roof is a gable design to provide a unique concave pattern with most of the courtyard open to the sky which allows for ventilation, sunlight, moonlight, and rainfall into the other parts of the building. Still existing are the doors that are held to the walls with a wooden locally partnered hinge.
The palace like some other palaces in Yoruba land is a product of the indigenous architectural ingenuity of our forebears. From its drainage system, its ancient design, and its changing level of terrain from one courtyard to another makes it a place of aesthetic admiration. The materials used for its construction also add durability value with the communal efforts of traditional builders. The structure is a representation of outstanding traditional architecture.
The drainage system of palace was designed in such a way that it allows free flow of rain water from one courtyard to the other, the drains were so mysteriously designed that up till today, nobody knows how the water in them runs smoothly without a trace of it soaking the walls or floors of the building; this has sustained the foundation of the building since the palace was built about 1150 AD. With a beautifully situated rising ground, the traditional architects took full advantage of the special possibilities of building on changing levels of terrain. This is assumed to facilitate the free flow of rainwater from one courtyard to the other and then finally emptying itself into the biggest courtyard ‘Ua Lila’ then to the city’s main drainage. This great compositional quality is strikingly apparent immediately after passing the main entrance. The Palace courtyards consist of many rooms of various sizes; each of which has special functions since all the economic, social, and religious traditional activities of the people are determined, exercised, and preserved within and through the Palace structure. Among the well-structured courtyards is ‘Ua Agbeto’ that mysteriously absorbs odor from the palace; especially the smell from urine within that courtyard. The above-mentioned realities, informed its declaration as a National Monument in August 1990.
For intending visitors, there are three main entrances to the Palace’s courtyards; one for the male folk, one for their female counterparts, while the central one is for the Royalty. Its tourism, historical, archaeological, and memorial appeal as well as its cultural elements that form major parts of the inalienable day-to-day life of the Akure people, and which are notably typical of the entire Yoruba culture, have made the interest of the palace diverse.
Tourists visit the palace to get acquainted with the history, aesthetics, and traditional architectural concept of the place. It is also used for educational and research purposes. As a living monument, it still retains its traditional uses and values. His Royal Majesty, the Deji of Akure land carries out every required traditional activities and functions in the palace to date. For instance, all the courtyards are still being used for their traditional rites, rituals, festivals, and other ceremonies such as the installation of chiefs and the coronation of an Oba. The palace meets the criteria i, ii, and iii of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention of 1972 as the building represents a masterpiece of human creative genius based on the level of indigenous technology at the period it was built (1150AD). It is a reflection of passion for the reconstruction of the esteemed lineage of the Akure kingdom.
Odutola writes from the National Commission for Museums and Monuments Nigeria