‘Art’ of War: Analysis of Weapons of the 19th Century Yoruba Wars

The 19th century was no doubt one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the Yoruba people. For most, the period was characterised by revolution and struggle for independence from different authorities. War was a defining factor during this peri-od and in most cases the determining factor in war was the type of weaponry deployed. This paper attempts an examination of the 19th century civil wars in Yoruba land, focusing on some selected northeastern Yoruba towns. It traces the evolution of the weaponry system in Yoruba land as contained in historical records and surviving museum artifacts. Towards supporting the significance and justification for such a work, various weapons used during the Yoruba civil wars are also identified and analyzed along the lines of artistry of manufacture and material culture.