18/10/2024
Meet Oba Adenle Samuel Adisa: The One Who Drinks Water from the Fish
On April 4, 1944, the people of Osogbo made Oba Adenle Samuel Adisa their king, leader, and friend. A famous historian, Ulli Beier, described him as:
"This wise king is great to meetโฆ happy, patient, and very generousโฆ He can talk about anythingโฆ and has a wonderful sense of humor."
Osogbo, a small and quiet Yoruba town, meaning "The Wizards of the Forest," crowned Oba Adenle Samuel Adisa as the 'Ataoja,' meaning "The One Who Drinks Water from the Fish's Mouth." This story gives a brief look into the life of the person who changed the Osogbo people.
Adetifewa, a strong and disciplined young man, grew up and married Ayokunnu, also called 'Kunnu of Ile Olubarin.' They had a son, Adeleye. Sadly, Adeleye died young, but before he died, he and his wife, Awojumoke (also called Olajumoke), daughter of Adifa Ile Aleegun, had a baby boy around January 1903. They named him Adenrele (Adenle) Adisa Adeleye.
Adenrele's father's name, "Adeleye," became his middle name, while his first name, "Adenrele" or Adenle, became his last name. Since Ile Oluawo wasn't a Christian home, Adenle got the name "Samuel" when he became a Christian.
