Alaafin of Oyo Palace Loses 420-Year-Old Tortoise Baba

The Alaafin of Oyo Palace in Oyo State is mourning the death of Baba, a tortoise believed to have lived for approximately 420 years. Baba died after falling ill on a Monday and was subsequently buried.

Bode Durojaiye, the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, stated that Baba was more than just a tortoise; he was a vital part of the oral history and cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. Baba's origins trace back to Oyo-Ile, the ancient capital of the Oyo Empire, and he became a familiar attraction at the palace, drawing many visitors due to his age and size.

The palace noted that Baba was cared for by two officials and was fed a diet of watermelon, corn pap wrapped in leaves, and grass. His death signifies the loss of a longstanding companion to successive Alaafins, as each monarch inherited Baba as part of the kingdom's relics.

The palace described Baba as a symbol of the oral tradition and a cherished pet of the Paramount Ruler.