Among the Yoruba people of southern Nigeria, the balogun is a war title which was introduced in the region in the nineteenth century (Drewal 1992, 137). According to a Texas University professor specializing on Nigeria, the Itele is a sub-division of the Ijebu people, themselves a Yoruba people (20 Nov. 1992). The oral source further stated that the balogun is the most senior of political chiefs and is the war leader, more or less equivalent to a defense minister, of his community (Ibid.). Today in Ijebu-Obe, a city in southern Nigeria around which most Ijebu peoples are concentrated, the balogun is reportedly the principal link between the community and the major chiefs (The New Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol. 6 1989, 253; Drewal 1992, 137). The baloguns of Ijebu-Ode are reportedly all Muslims, as indicated in a recent book by Margaret Drewal (Ibid. 138). She adds that, "with no wars to fight, the public displays of the Baloguns, like those of the Agemo priests, represent only a vestige of a former sociopolitical system" (Ibid.). There appear to be different types or grades of baloguns, the osi balogun position being one rank below otun balogun, for example (Ibid. 148).

According to a UCLA history professor specializing in the history of Nigeria's southern peoples, the title of balogun is hereditary and permanent (held until death) (20 Nov. 1992). This was corroborated by the Texas University professor, who further specified that is is usually the first son of the balogun who succeeds his father (20 Nov. 1992). The example of Alhaji Sote, a famous chief of the Ijebu, also indicates that the position of balogun is hereditary; Sote received his chieftancy title from his mother's side, but he also had the right to the osi balogun position on his father's side (Drewal 1992, 148).

In cases where two families have a claim to the balogun title, a power struggle may occur (Texas University 20 Nov. 1992; UCLA 20 Nov. 1992). The conflict is genrally brought before the elders, who settle the dispute (UCLA 20 Nov. 1992). If they so decide, the position can be attributed to both families on a rotational basis, families alternately taking over upon the death of the balogun (Ibid.).

Corroborative or additional information on this subject is currently unavailable to the DIRB in Ottawa.

Drewal, Margaret Thompson. 1992. Yoruba Ritual: Performers, Play, Agency. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press.

The New Encyclopaedia Britannica 1989. Micropaedia Vol. 6. London: The New Encyclopaedia Britannica.

University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), Department of History. 20 November 1992. Telephone interview with a orofessor specializing in the history of southern Nigerian peoples.

University of Texas, Department of African Studies, Houston. 20 November 1992. Telephone interview with a professor specializing on Nigerian history.

Drewal, Margaret Thompson. 1992. Yoruba Ritual: Performers, Play, Agency. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, p. 137-138, 148.

The New Encyclopaedia Britannica 1989. Micropaedia Vol. 6. London: The New Encyclopaedia Britannica.