Revealed! Why Ibadan People Don't Joke With 'Ero Aboke' Measles Cure Soap

The Aboke family of Ibadan, like every other families in Yorubaland, has its peculiarities as regards culture and tradition. One of such peculiarities is the Aboke Soap (Ose Aboke or Ero Aboke).

The soap is made of black soap and other local ingredients known strictly to the Aboke family. And it's highly potent for the treatment of Measles known in Yoruba as 'igbona', 'tita' or 'olode' (which explains why it's called 'ero Igbona') according to testimonies of those who have experienced its efficacy.

This is a soap that has, for decades, attracted huge patronage not only within Ibadan but from other places across the Yorubaland and even beyond. It's a magical tradition that has been passed from generation to generation of the Aboke family. There is no true son and daughter of Abo̩ke who doesn't know how to prepare this soap. Outsiders are not allowed to be trained on how to make the soap.

"We don't train outsider", representative of the family known as Aboke said in an interview. He said, "even I don't go about to sell it or send apprentice, whoever needs this soap calls for it."

Apart from the fact that outsiders are exempted from its making, a visit to the ancestral Aboke family house at Beere area of the ancient city by this reporter showed other things that are not allowed where the soap is being packaged (with no paparazzi though).

For example, shoes are not allowed in the vicinity. So also negative words must not be said in the area.

But how is the soap used for the treatment of Measles or small pox? It's very simple. It's just a matter of applying the soap on one's palms with little water and rub it all over the body. Additionally, one would also have to prepare a small portion of the soap in a glass cup with water then allow it to dissolve and drink thereafter.

There are others reasons why Aboke family is very prominent in Ibadan apart from the soap. This is the family that produces the Aboke of Ibadanland. They are the direct descendants of Lagelu, the founder of Ibadan.

A reigning Aboke is the custodian of Okebadan Groove and the convener of the annual Okebadan Festival. The current Aboke of Ibadanland is Chief Fasola Ifamapowa, who was a driver in Sokoto when the Oracle (Ifa) picked him to occupy the post.

The known and an established custom is for oracle to be consulted whenever an Abo̩ke dies. Whoever Ifa chooses becomes Abo̩ke irrespective of age. In fact, the reigning Aboke wasn't the oldest in the family when he was chosen. He became Aboke at the age of 44. He's now 82.

Another unique thing about Aboke is that he doesn't wear shoes. He must walk barefoot and also plait his hair.

Okebadan Hill is place where Lagelu used to hid himself during the war back then. The hill was said to have greatly favored Lagelu in those days as he always victorious at wars.

So it has become a tradition for Aboke to, on a yearly basis, offer sacrifices to gods as it was done during wars back in the days. But now the sacrifices are offered to pray for peace and unity of Ibadanland.