The conflict resolution strategies that were in force in the early times have survived until the present day so much so that an encyclopedia cheekily described us as a fun loving tribe in West Africa. From an early age youths were schooled in the use of proverbs and the solving of riddles. The difference between right and wrong was communicated early through tales by moonlight and lore rehearsed in each family compound. A lot of the expansion in the early days did not involve the use of force.

The diplomatic channels created showcased our advanced technology, economy and high standard of life such that other nations like the Edo’s and others leaded to have our statesmen sent over to help modernize their nations. The same diplomatic arsenal was deployed in the courts of the kings and a uniform understanding of right and wrong ensured justice. The European capacity for cruelty was the subject of ancient poems because the sensibilities of our ancestors were initially offended by the indelicate brutalities of the white man.

The technology evidenced in the artifacts and monuments are awe inspiring when the era in which the works were produced is considered.  The intricate carvings, Metal works and granite monuments point to scientific advancements attained by our ancestors in the early centuries.  The acceptance of the evidence of this early  technological advancements runs contrary to the grain of popular foreign  theories yet the works unearthed and dated to the 9th century are too numerous and obvious to deny. The scientifically progressive nature of the Omoluabi culture and its dynamic approach to innovations were enshrined in the concepts of “imo and oye”.  The institutes of knowledge and understanding! The greatest drawback we had was the absence of a written language for the common man. Technology was transmitted from generation to generation through the professional guilds which unfortunately shrouded their knowledge with secrecy.

Basic instructions in health care promoting cleaniness “imototo” were a part of the Foundation instructions of the Omoluabi. Much folklore speaks of Oduduwas prowess in the use of healing balms and one account specifically narrates an advanced understanding of midwifery.  Clean water and regular bathing was encouraged at a time in world history when the majority of European cultures believed that water was injurious to health and bathing was considered harmful!

Dirty and untidy individuals were singled our as social pariahs to be ridiculed by the entire society. Standard hygiene instructions for communal welfare were strictly enforced and simple devices like allocating the right hand for certain uses while reserving the left hand for less noble tasks. Our people abhor shaking visitors with the left hand till today for this reason.

The central guideline to all religious affairs was a simple proverb “Orisa bi o le gbe mi, Se mi bi o se bami” This translates roughly into an admonition that any religion, deity or belief system that was counter productive to the overall progress of the nation was an unprofitable venture! Instances of religious intolerance among our people are rare as the shrewd reckoning of our fundamental beliefs discouraged fanaticism of any form. Moderation in all things was the watch word and the use of morbid fear in religious conversions was not encouraged. It would be noted that fundamentalist terrorism has not been able to split the loyalties of our people through the centuries. Omoluabi expect benevolence to be a central part of any divine revelation.

All the 7 principles that formed the pillars of Oduduwas reform were isseminated into the society through well defined systems. In the matrix every child was entitled to an identity and this was ensured through a peculiar naming system that is totally unlike the modern system. Names were structured to reflect circumstances of birth, traditional roots and a projected future. The training of children was a communal rather than just a parental affair. The development of the acceptable Omoluabi social behavior was effected through the study of proverbs and sayings, parental admonition, home trainings, house work, farm work and apprenticeships. Bonding was strengthened through the tribal marks, aso ebi, age grade circumcisions and competitions. Elders were to be respected, parents revered and gender discrimination was discouraged.  Tales by moonlight always carried a moral principle and corporal punishment was engaged every now then for stubborn children. By and by the child would absorb the values of Omoluabi and training for marriage roles was considered important. Clans were ruled by Oba’s (kings) flanked by a coterie of special advisors. Including an ingenious system where the Otun and the Osi were to deliver opposing arguments on all matters.  The advantage of the Omoluabi matrix lies in its minimum need of policing! The ultimate Omoluabi status was the desire of all citizens and it was designed to be self supervised. For those called Omoluabi their word is their bond. The traits of British gentry are the closest concept to the Omoluabi in the European world.