The Oyo System

With a recorded history that begins in the 1400s, but possibly began much earlier, the Oyo Empire in modern-day Nigeria developed a noteworthy political system. In this empire the Oyomesi, a council of seven wise men believed to have divine powers, selected the Alaafin, or king. Imagine British parliament if there were seven parties whose leaders together appointed the prime minister. The Alaafin was expected to consult to Oyomesi on all critical decisions, and the Oyomesi would sometimes select a weak Alaafin to prevent the office from gaining dominance.

There was also a standard procedure for removing a bad Alaafin. The Oyomesi had to present him with a basket of parrot eggs, which effectively ordered the Alaafin's abdication. Then the Alaafin, his eldest son, and one of the seven members of the Oyomesi each had to commit suicide so the government could start anew.

This system of checks and balances is obviously a little exotic, with parrot's eggs, group suicide, etc. On the other hand, as my African Politics and Society professor emphasized, the process makes some sense. Why parrot's eggs, he asked. I thought about symbolism, and it took me nowhere. Because it's hard! he exclaimed. It requires planning and searching. Parrots don't leave their eggs on the lowest branches. The same followed for the suicide of the society's three most visible leaders. It ensures the Oyomesi would not depose Alaafins recklessly.

My professor stressed that this was a remarkably stable system. If one simply looks at the history of the Oyo Empire, it's clear that this system couldn't save them from colonialism, or themselves, but I agreed with my professor that it possessed a certain elegance.

I kept thinking about this after class for two reasons. One, I remembered hearing the story and how strange it all sounded until the professor explained more. My mind was too closed at the beginning.

Second, I imagined such a system's impact in today's America. For example, would Republican leaders have impeached President Clinton if it would have required a human sacrifice, not to mention the suicide of innocent Chelsea Clinton?  Presumably not. Then again, I can easily see the Republican candidates pledging to sacrifice themselves to stop Obama's jihad against Capitalism, perhaps each one jostling to volunteer for a more gruseome suicide than his or her rivals will. If their roles were reversed I suppose Democrats would probably agree that someone should commit suicide without ever deciding who and in what manner. Maybe our politics are just too dysfunctional to adopt the Oyo system.