By Ghazali Ibrahim
The ancient tortoise known as Baba, believed to have lived for about 420 years, has died at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo in Oyo State.
Baba reportedly died on Monday after falling ill and refusing food. The tortoise was subsequently buried, according to the palace.
The Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday.
Durojaiye described Baba as more than a palace pet, saying the tortoise had become part of the oral history and cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.
According to him, Baba was regarded in Oyo as the oldest indigene and had been cared for by successive Alaafins as a historical relic inherited from previous monarchs.
The palace said oral tradition traced Baba’s origin to Oyo-Ile, the ancient capital of the old Oyo Empire, before it was brought to the present palace in Oyo town.
Its reported age and unusual size made Baba a major attraction, with visitors travelling to the palace to see the tortoise.
Two palace officials were reportedly assigned to care for Baba, which was fed with watermelon, corn pap wrapped in leaves and grass.
The current Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, reportedly met Baba at the palace after ascending the throne.
“Baba was more than a turtle in status. He represented a part of the oral history of the Yoruba race. Now, the Alaafin has lost an ageless companion,” Durojaiye said.
The palace said Baba fell ill on Monday and stopped eating before its death.
While the palace puts Baba’s age at about 420 years, the figure is based on oral history and could not be independently verified through scientific records.
With Baba’s death, Oyo has lost one of the unusual living relics associated with the history of the Alaafin’s palace.
