Olóyè — Chief
Category: Titles
A chieftaincy title conferred on respected community members.
Chieftaincy titles like Olóyè often come with specific traditional responsibilities.
Chieftaincy titles range from honorary recognitions given to accomplished community members to formal traditional titles tied to specific duties — a kingmaker role, oversight of a particular quarter, or advisory responsibilities to the Ọba — so "chief" covers a wide range of actual positions.
A new Olóyè is typically installed in a public ceremony involving the Ọba, other chiefs, and traditional rites specific to that particular title and town.
Example: Wọ́n fún un ní oyè Olóyè nítorí iṣẹ́ rere tí ó ṣe fún ìlú. — "He was given a chieftaincy title because of the good work he did for the town."
Related words:
- Ọba — King, whom many chieftaincy titles report to
- Ìlú — Town