Monarch, Oyo people to memorialise 1895 ‘Pepe War’ against British imperialism
One hundred and thirty years after the British imperial forces invaded the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo in what became known as “Ogun Pepe” (the Pepe War), the people of Oyo are set to commemorate the historic event that symbolised the Yoruba resistance against colonial domination.
The commemorative programme, slated for November 2025, will feature a week-long series of activities showcasing the cultural heritage, traditions, and resilience of the ancient Oyo Empire.
It will also celebrate the defiant spirit of the then Alaafin, Oba Adeyemi Alowolodu I, whose courageous stand against British interference on November 12, 1895, sparked the war.
The current Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, announced that the memorial would not only highlight the heroism of Oyo’s forebears but also give global relevance to one of the most defining resistance struggles in Yoruba history.
“The Pepe War was not just a local conflict; it was a bold statement of defiance against imperial aggression and an affirmation of our people’s right to self-determination,” the monarch said.
It would be recalled that Captain Robert Lister Bower, the British Resident Commissioner in Ibadan, deemed the act of the monarch an affront to British authority. He demanded that Alaafin Adeyemi hand over Bakare and the messenger who carried out the punishment, Kudeefu, but the Alaafin refused. Instead, he ordered Bakare’s execution and shielded Kudeefu — a move that infuriated the British.
In retaliation, Bower led a troop of 60 armed soldiers to invade Oyo. The people of Oyo, loyal to their monarch, resisted fiercely. The sharp, staccato sound of British gunfire during the battle — “pepe! pepe! pepe!” — gave the conflict its enduring name, “Ogun Pepe.”
But despite being wounded, the Alaafin reportedly escaped to Oke-Owinni, where he sought the intervention of the Catholic Bishop of Oyo. After six days of intense fighting, the Bishop mediated a truce, and the Alaafin was allowed to return triumphantly to his palace amid great celebration.
Meanwhile, according to palace sources, the forthcoming commemoration will include a dramatic re-enactment of the war, cultural displays, academic symposia, exhibitions, and a heritage project focused on repatriating royal artefacts taken from the Oyo Palace by British forces during the 1895 invasion.
The palace stated that the “Ogun Pepe memorial” will serve as both a historical reflection and a cultural renaissance, reinforcing the identity and pride of the Oyo people while educating future generations on the sacrifices made in defence of sovereignty.
“This commemoration is not merely about the past, but also about preserving our dignity, heritage, and right to tell the Oyo story with pride and truth,” the Alaafin added.
The Guardian
