The Vernacular Architecture of the Hidden Ancient Irefin Palace, Ibadan, SW Nigeria

Ingenuity and wisdom, speaks the creative works of art which were wrought by the aged hands of our ancestors. These can be seen in the way they designed and built their houses and palaces in the days of old. These relics lie strewn across our fast growing cities in Nigeria; we walk and drive past them every and pay little or no attention to them. These works have more to teach us about our values and history as a people and as a nation than even the much diluted present-day media.

Here is an ancient palace, said to be over 200 years old, was built with mud and timber (wood), and yet still standing strong on the soils of Ibadan city, southwest Nigeria. This palace is located in the tropical rainforest region of Nigeria, enduring over two centuries of countless rainfall and sunshine, and has not collapsed. This palace is definitely a unique cultural, scientific and historical object we must do all we can to preserve.

The Irefin palace belongs to one of the Royal families of Ibadan.The Irefin clans were warriors in the days of old who settled in the Ibadan area known then as a resting settlement for travelers. The palace was the abode of a powerful chief in Ibadan enclave, called “Ba’ale Irefin”, who ruled from 1912-1914. Preserved at the ancient palace are ancient diaries showing old records of events that took place at the Erefin Palace in the olden days. Among the numerous rooms in the palace are the clan’s ‘spiritual powerhouse’ and the judgment room where misunderstandings within the clan are resolved or punishment meted out to the iniquitous. It is worthy of note to mention here that a part of the palace was used in the popular old Nollywood movie Saworoide. It is however sad to know that the palace, although still occupied by the Irefin clan, is not treated as a historical object of great worth. The environment is dirty and not well taken care of, as dirt litter the floors and corners, and smokes from cooking fire places staining the old walls and roofs with sooth. See photos of our recent visit to the ancient palace here. Some old photos of the Irefin Palace taken in 1985 (scroll down to see) show that at some point between 1985 and now, some parts of the palace was redesigned/reconstructed as it looks a little bit different.

The photos below demonstrate some of the vernacular architecture features of the Irefin palace:

 

Gable-roof entrance of Irefin Palace.

 

Beautiful and Interesting fascia board design at the entrance to the Irefin Palace.

 

Arch-styled bottom roof rafters at the gable-roof entrance to the palace.

 

Noice the wide corridor between the pillars at the main entrance and the main doors into the building. (Photo Credit: Berry Dakara)

 

(Photo Credit: Berry Dakara)

(Photo Credit: Berry Dakara)

(Photo Credit: Berry Dakara)

 

(Photo Credit: Berry Dakara)

 

Notice the arch design and the sculpture by the door post. (Photo Credit: Berry Dakara)

Creative door design at the palace.

Wooden staircase to the upper floor of the palace.

Tourists at the palace climbing the staircase. Notice the ceiling joists.

The upper-floor staircase landing area. Notice the design on the wooden rails, the wooden floor and wall demarcation.

One of the rooms upstairs at the Irefin Palace. Notice the interesting panel of windows walling the room.

The Photos Below show Irefin Palace in 1985 (Photo Credit: Arc Akin Yoloye)

Notice how different the palace entrance looks from its present day state.

 

Thinking of visiting this palace, here is the location of Irefin Palace in Ibadan:

Cultural Heritage, Historical artefacts, Ibadan, Irefin Palace, Nigeria, Old buildings in Nigeria, Oyo State, Vernacular Architecture, Yoruba culture