Art and Architecture of the Owa’s Palace in Ilesa, Nigeria1

Abstract

The paper examines Ilesa palace’s architecture and the artistic objects within the old palace (‘afin’) constructed around 1079 AD, including the courtyards (‘akodi’) within the palace. Data was sourced from field work, oral interviews and relevant literature. Purposively selected photographs of the ‘Afin’ are used in discussing the deplorable state of the architecture, royal paraphernalia and art objects, and thus raises the question of their sustainability and relevance for future generations. The study reveals the dilapidation of the old palace and courtyards were caused by the ravaging effects of urbanisation, poor maintenance attitude and indifference of the royal court to the historical/cultural values embedded in the art and architecture of the Ijesa nation. Of what benefits is urbanisation to the culture and history of a people if the memories of their past fade into oblivion, and their monuments and historical places of pride are neglected and endangered? The paper posits that the neglect of the indigenous arts and heritage architecture in Nigeria has become a natural phenomenon. Therefore, despite the benefits of modern architecture and urban development, elements of culture like art and heritage architecture should be sustained for future generation and entrenching cultural identity.