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The story of Lisabi is one of bravery and resistance against oppression in pre-colonial Nigeria. Lisabi is a celebrated hero of the Egba people, known for his role in leading a rebellion against the tyranny of the Oyo Empire during the late 18th century.
Background
The Egba people, residing in the southwestern region of present-day Nigeria, were part of the larger Yoruba ethnic group. During this period, the Oyo Empire was a dominant force in the region, exacting tributes from smaller Yoruba communities, including the Egba, through oppressive taxation and demands for labor.
Lisabi, a native of the Egba settlement of Igbehin (in present-day Abeokuta), grew weary of the exploitation and brutality imposed by the Oyo overlords. He was a respected farmer, a community leader, and a member of the Aaro tradition, a cooperative work system among the Egba people.
The Rebellion
Lisabi secretly organized a group of like-minded Egba men and formed a resistance movement known as the Egba Forest Hunters (Egbe Aaro). Using the cover of the Aaro work system, he rallied the people and trained them for guerrilla warfare.
When the time was ripe, Lisabi and his group launched a surprise attack on the Oyo tax collectors and their local collaborators. The rebellion quickly spread across Egba land as people united under Lisabi’s leadership to overthrow the oppressive Oyo authority.
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Outcome</p>
The Egba rebellion was successful in liberating the people from the grip of the Oyo Empire. The Egba gained their independence, which allowed them to establish their own governance and move towards creating a new settlement in Abeokuta.
Legacy
Lisabi is celebrated as a symbol of courage and self-determination among the Egba people. His contributions to the freedom of his people are commemorated annually during the Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The festival includes cultural displays, traditional rites, and storytelling to honor his memory.
Lisabi remains an enduring figure in Yoruba history, embodying the ideals of unity, resilience, and resistance against injustice.
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