<p>Oritagun is a quarter allocated to Ojumu by the Deji when he arrived in Akure. There's no way you can do Akure oriki without mentioning Oritagun.</p><p><br></p><p>*Akure oloja meji kan no l'orijo* </p><p>*Ku o ba ti n'oritagun waa no'mesi anoye*</p><p><br></p><p>Therefore, Oritagun is one of the oldest markets/quarters in Akure since it came into existence during the reign of the 11th Deji. Oritagun market then opened for transactions in the morning, while moving to Imesi market in the afternoon, and they would still return to Erekesan market at night. Remember, the same Deji established Erekesan market.</p><p><br></p><p>Also, after the demise of any Deji, the traders of Erekesan market would move to Oritagun pending the installation of another one.</p><p><br></p><p>The way Oritagun built their houses then was different from others. Their usual way was the way the palace of Ojumu at Arakale was built. They did not build verandas outside; they were always constructed inside. You would only see the entrance and the windows outside.</p><p><br></p><p>**The journey to ORITAGUN…**</p><p><br></p><p>We've read a story of Obagbeyi Adegite, the 11th Deji of Akure (1313-1363), who was a double prince and was brought from Oba Ile to ascend the throne of his forefathers.</p><p><br></p><p>Obagbeyi, when coming to Akure from Oba Ile where he had spent most of his childhood and youthful days, left with some of his close friends, among whom held various chieftaincy titles, so that he would not miss them, thereby replicating the titles in Akure. Oloba allowed him to go with Ejemikin, an Ifa Priest, and Ojumu, a hunter. Oloba also promised him he would be sending his share of "agbon" to him during every Igbagbon festival, which is being done for every Deji up till today.</p><p><br></p><p>Obagbeyi was installed in Akure as Deji, and his reign began. He installed Ojumu, Ejemikin, and other chiefs and allocated farmland for them. Where he allocated to Ojumu is the present Oritagun. When Obagbeyi showed Ojumu this land, they stood in front of Ojumu's palace facing the Oritagun market. Remember, this particular point formed a T-junction because it adjoins Arakale road. Ojumu was excited and thanked the Deji, for he had allocated to him "orita ko gun," that is, "a well-shaped T-junction." This is the reason why this quarter is called ORITAGUN.</p><p><br></p><p>The other chief was equally allocated farmland where he stayed and was called Ijemikin.</p><p><br></p><p>As Ojumu began his reign, other suburb settlements started springing up. Among them were Ugbeyin, Imosun, Oke Arata, Igisan, and Otutubiosun.</p><p><br></p><p>**UGBEYIN**, now a street, was where Akure ended then, the reason why it was called Ugbeyin (End), i.e., *ibi ki Akure gbeyin si tabi pari si*. Later, Akure continued expanding beyond Ugbeyin, but the name remains.</p><p><br></p><p>**IMOSUN** has a stream called "Omi Imosun." The water is beside Aromed. No one fishes in this water.</p><p><br></p><p>Beside Omi Imosun is "omi siikiri." This siikiri got there due to an incident. Moro was a warrior with evil activities. Akure people wanted to kill him, and he was pursued until he reached Imosun, where he fell at the back of Imosun water and turned to water himself. This water is referred to as omi siikiri in Akure. All his armored bracelets formed the dirt on the surface of this water. So no one can fish in Imosun stream so that you won't provoke siikiri. There is a saying in Akure which says, "won ko n'ile ti won n gbe eja omi Imosun wo, nitoripe ijagbajagba (siikiri dirt) a binu." If any sacrilege is done beside siikiri, some dangerous creatures like snakes will come out to attack people. Omi Imosun is used to bathe any Ojumu that passes on.</p><p><br></p><p>**OKE ARATA** was a street named after one of Ojumu's chiefs. There was a man, a traditional priest, living in this area. The way he dressed, especially when sitting down in a big agbada, made him look like a king—very flamboyant and attractive. The passers-by would hail him as "Ararata abata yanyan." He was later made a chief of the area, going by the name Chief Alarata by the then Ojumu. This was why the street name became "Oke Arata."</p><p><br></p><p>This title was later stepped down from the chieftaincy titles of Oritagun and up till today by another Ojumu for fear of allowing Alarata become more popular than him. His flamboyant way of appearance seemed a threat. No more Chief Alarata.</p><p><br></p><p>**IGISAN** was one of the settlements of Ado-Akure people. When they returned to Akure, they requested from the Deji where they would stay. Deji called on Ojumu to give them land, and Igisan was given to them to settle. They were referred to as "Bilekale (m-d-r-d)."</p><p><br></p><p>This name was changed to Igisan following an incident.</p><p><br></p><p>There was a celebration of a festival called "odun ina"—festival of fire—going on in Oritagun. There was this native of Iju entering Oritagun. At this period, no stranger was welcome. When this stranger entered the midst of the worshippers, instead of explaining himself, he took them up. They gave him the beating of his life. When he was about to die, he lamented and said, "Ha! Mo rin si 'gisan oran," which has formed a prayer/saying in Akure today. His lamentation was that he had accidentally walked into danger. Since that day, the street has been referred to as Igisan. *Me ra rin s'igisan oran.* I know you'll say your own either silently or openly.</p><p><br></p><p>ORITAGUN is well known as a land of many ESI (shrines). In Akure then, the divination always directed them to make the esi at Oritagun so as to prevent foreseen or conquer any occurrence. These esis are many and largely form part of their oriki.</p><p><br></p><p>Esho meta Oritagun</p><p>Esi amukoko oye</p><p>Esi agbarubo mo run</p><p>Esi agbada mo y'oko</p>