Ilu Aje: The mysterious Nigerian town of witches
Inside the true historical roots behind Nigeria’s so-called Town of Witches
The first thing people hear is the nickname, not the history. Ilu Aje, widely translated as “Town of Witches”, sits quietly in Oyo State within Afijio Local Government Area, surrounded by farmland and connected by rural roads to communities such as Fiditi, Ilora, and Jobele. There are no forbidden forests or secret enclaves here. It is a living farming settlement of families, markets, and old lineage compounds. Yet, its name has travelled far beyond its size, powered by a story that blends Yoruba divination, royal drama, and the subtle reshaping force of language over time.
Long before Ilu Aje became the commonly used name, the settlement was described with a longer Yoruba expression rather than a short, striking label. People referred to it as the town of the diviner whose insight worked with the force and precision associated with aje. In Yoruba speech, that fuller description is remembered as “ilu adifaṣẹ bi aje”, a phrase praising exceptional spiritual accuracy, not a gathering of witches.
As generations repeated the story, the description was gradually shortened. Everyday language trimmed the praise into something easier to say. The long phrase fell away. Two powerful words remained. Ilu Aje stayed. The original nuance did not.
What transformed a quiet settlement into a subject of fear, curiosity, and folklore was not witchcraft, but the reputation of a remarkable Ifa diviner and the way his legacy was compressed into a dramatic name.
The diviner behind the name
Historical accounts link the name to a respected diviner known as Akinyolu, who lived in the area many generations ago. During the era of the old Oyo monarchy, a royal prince reportedly disappeared. Search efforts failed, and anxiety spread through the palace. The Alaafin’s court then turned to Akinyolu for guidance. Through Ifa consultation and specific ritual instructions, he directed the search with unusual precision. The missing prince was found exactly where his divination indicated.
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His accuracy left a deep impression. People described his spiritual insight using comparisons to the mysterious power known in Yoruba belief as aje. In older Yoruba understanding, aje does not simply mean witch in the modern, popular sense. It refers to profound spiritual potency and hidden force, often connected in traditional cosmology with creation, destiny, authority, and feminine power. Depending on context, it can inspire both reverence and caution.
The town became known through praise of the diviner’s aje-like precision. Over time, spoken retellings shortened that praise into a literal-sounding place name. What began as recognition of rare divination skill slowly hardened into a label that invited misunderstanding and fear.
How myth overtook meaning
As travel increased and oral explanations weakened, outsiders began to read the name at face value. The translation “Town of Witches” stirred fear and fascination in equal measure. Each retelling added colour. Some stories claimed every resident possessed supernatural powers. Others warned travellers to stay away. There is no verified record supporting these claims.
Visitors, writers, and local commentators who have documented the community consistently describe an ordinary rural Yoruba town built on farming, kinship, and trade. Community voices have at different times tried to soften the stigma attached to the name in order to encourage development and outside engagement, since the reputation alone has discouraged interest and investment.
Public signboards in the area have occasionally highlighted indigenous knowledge and healing practice instead of witchcraft imagery, presenting the town as a place of traditional science. That framing aligns with the origin story of a powerful diviner rather than a population defined by superstition.
Life in the present-day town
Present-day Ilu Aje reflects the realities of many small southwestern Nigerian communities. Agriculture remains the backbone of daily life. Social rhythms follow family ties, planting seasons, and local markets. Infrastructure needs such as utilities and road access matter more to residents than the supernatural reputation attached to the town’s name.
