Oyo Kingdom tortoise Baba dies at Alaafin palace

A tortoise reputed to be 420 years old, known as ‘Baba’, has died at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo in Oyo State, Nigeria. The animal, regarded as a significant symbol of the Oyo Kingdom’s historical heritage, reportedly fell ill and stopped eating on Monday before passing away.

According to Bode Durojaiye, the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Baba was more than a pet; he was considered a part of the oral history of the Yoruba race. Oral traditions trace the tortoise’s origins to Oyo-Ile, the ancient capital of the Oyo Empire, before it was moved to the current palace.

Throughout his long life, Baba was cared for by successive monarchs and served as a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors to the palace. He was treated as a venerable figure and an ‘indigene’ of the community. Following his death, the tortoise has been buried.