|
| The entrance to the Palace of Deji of Akure |
|
The palace of Deji of Akure has been declared the second National Monument in Ondo State by the Federal Government. The mighty palace located in the heart of Akure, the state capital now contains eighteen court-yards namely: Uha lila, Uha ajukoto, Uha Ogoga, Uha Mese, Uha Ibura, Uha ado Aya, Uha agboro, Uha Agaba, Uha Layo, Uha Leke, Uha awa Gun, Uha Jimifonnun" Uha Ikomo, Uha ado lie, Uha Orile, Ula Agbeto, Uha Ori Ojuto, Uha Ogoro. Each of the court-yard is used for specific ceremony or for the living of the Oba's household. For example 'Uha lila' is used for ceremonial occasion such as reception for important dignitaries while 'Uha Ojukoto' is used for the installation of chiefs and Uha Ibura' for oath-taking. It is interesting to note that
the massive palace were knowledgeable in, what is described as, the art of modern landscaping, because each of the ground floor of courtyards is higher than the other, allowing the free flow of the rain-water from one courtyard to the other, and finally emptying itself into the main courtyard, known as 'Ua Nla', and from there to the city's main drainage system. The Unique drainage system of the massive Palace has prevented the collapse of the walls of the courtyards unlike other Palaces in --Yoruba land, whose courtyards lacked proper drainage system thereby resulting into water-logged courtyards and basement of the walls after any drainage. There are three main entrances to the main Courtyard, 'Ua Nla' facing the main road; one for the males, one for the females, while the central one is for the Royalty i.e. the Oba. |
