In the olden days, all we had were warriors who fought to protect themselves, their people and territory. The Yoruba kingdom is no exception. They have records of many brave male warriors who, till today, are remembered and celebrated.

These top historical male warriors you’re about to read are embodiments of the amazing attributes you find in Yoruba people out there:

Saraibi Ogedengbe was born in Atorin, a village near Ilesha. He is from Oke-Orisa, not far from Ilesha, in Osun state. At a very young age, Ogedengbe displayed a strong character and strength among his peers, most especially whenever he wrestled with them. His winnings earned him the name “Ogedengbe.”

For years, he campaigned against the Ibadan people for their oppression and how they’ve been attacking the Ijesha people. Unfortunately for Saraibi, he was captured on one occasion and taken to Ibadan. During his stay in Ibadan, he fought for them as a senior military commander.

Afterwards, he returned to Ijesha and assembled a large army to fight against Ibadan. The fight went on for years before Captain Bower, the resident commissioner of Ibadan, intervened by issuing a treaty to settle the war in 1886, even though Ogedengbe had already defeated Ibadan. This feat made Saraibi very famous; he was named “Ogedengbe Agbogungboro”—meaning “Ogedengbe the Warrior.”