Lisabi Uprising: The Farmer Who Defeated 6000 Soldiers

This is about Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, who led the Egba people to freedom from the Oyo Empire's oppression in the late 18th century (around 1770-1790). This is a story that shows Africans' resilience and the Yoruba oral legend.

Lisabi Agbongbo Akala’s statue

Lisabi was born around 1700 in Itoku, a place located near Abeokuta, Nigeria. He was tall, intelligent, and was popularly known for his strength. He also grew up as a farmer's son in the Egba Community.

The Egba, Yoruba subgroups like Ake, Oke-Ona, Gbagura, and Owu, suffered under Oyo tax collectors known as the Ajeles, who demanded tributes, enslaved youth and terrorized villages around 1770 to 1780.

Lisabi got angry at Oyo's tyranny and found a cunning plan to unite the divided Egba clans. Around 1775, he founded the Egbe Aaro—a seemingly innocent joint farming society that made hunters, farmers and youth from all the Egba clans come together. Members came together to avoid suspicion while secretly training warriors and meeting at night to plan rebellion using deceptive guerrilla tactics.

In 1780, Lisabi sent a secret signal; a yam leaf sign—to all his Egbe Aaro members across Egba villages. That night, the farmers and hunters attacked and massacred around 600 Ajeles across Egba towns who had been bullying them.

Oyo was not pleased. So, they sent 6,000 soldiers to attack and crush the Egba. However, Lisabi's group was smart enough to hide in thick forests like Ogbun Melegun, took the Oyo soldiers by surprise with spears from trees and ambushed them.

The villagers were happy, but it didn't last long. Oyo plotted another bigger revenge to burn everything. Some say jealous chiefs betrayed Lisabi, too.

However, around 1790, Lisabi made a decision to save his people; he gave himself up and traded his life for his people's safety. The warriors chained him and threw him in a pit at Igbo Lisabi. You can still see the old chains there today.

The revolt granted Egba independence, and also unity, symbolised by "Ẹgba Ọmọ Lisabi" (Egba children of Lisabi).

Today, Lisabi is still honoured through a seven-day annual cultural celebration at Abeokuta, Ogun State, known as the “Lisabi Festival.”

Lisabi's festival is held annually to promote unity

This shows the resilience and commitment of the Egba, and also Lisabi's impact on Abeokuta, found in Nigeria, West Africa.

2026 Bernice Temitayo Olusaiye | Talkafricang.com