Unhokhasor Olowu
| Unhokhasor Olowu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
1855 Imiekuri |
| Died |
August 14, 1967 (aged 112) Imiekuri |
Unhokhasor Olowu, born Unhokhasor (c.1855- August 14, 1967) was an Oba and trader in Imiekuri Okpella Nigeria, he had a role in the Atlantic slave trade in Nigeria.He was also known as the 1st Oba of Imiekuri, He was known to be powerful in his journey's in his trading to Ghana and Nigerian states. And as a king to his village he was rich on trading which lead him to trade cotton, later on August 14, 1967 he died of old age, at his home in Illewi.
Background
Unhokhasor was born in Imiekuri Okpella Nigeria around 1855 in a small village in Okpella called Illewi; much information about his parents are unknown. He was born into an Islamic/Animistic family of traders who were known to be nomadic. Growing up in the agrarian town, he was helpful in farming with his parents and was tall for his young age until growing up to be very tall.
Personal life
Olowu was a Muslim and was known for spiritual animistic practices, and had four children from one of his wives; the number of wives he had is unknown and the number of children from the others as well. Also Edwin Ikhumitse Olowu, his son, was the first one in the family and village to get an education. Unhokhasor spoke two languages that he was fluent in, which are Yoruba and Okpella; he also spoke Nigerian Pidgin English. Around the early 1930s Unhokhasor's mother died from old age. Later on in 1916 one of his wives died from illness and was buried in an unknown place in Okpella.
Involvement with the slave trade
Unhokhasor stated that he had a role in the Atlantic slave trade in Nigeria, it was also stated that he traveled from Nigeria to a town in Ghana for trading around his early years of his life. He also traveled to villages and towns in the areas of the Midwest region including Badagry for his trade.And by many family members he was known to be powerful in trading for cotton and other valuable items,which are cocoa, palm oil, and tobacco.During his trade he changed his surname to Olowu,due to his trade with the yoruba. Later on in the beginning of the 20th century Olowu abandoned the slave trade and took his duties as Oba Of Imiekuri.
Life as Oba Of Ilewi
Sometime after the Nupe war in Okpella Unhokhasor became the first oba of Imiekuri, and reigned until his death.
Later life and death
Later in his life after being king he went back to farming. Around the mid-1960s Olowu was getting very old and began to shrink in height due to his age, and was being watched by family members and friends. One day in fall of 1967 oba wasn't eating and was kept in bed for days, and died on August 14 1967 at the estimated age of 112 and was buried underneath his home in Ilewi.