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Before the reign of Oba Ofiran Oye, the 9th Awujale of Ijebu-Ode, five personalities from different royal households in Ijebu-Ode came to these parts now known as Ijebu-Igbo for game hunting. One of the five personalities was Tanrin Larinkoye a.k.a. Kegbo, the founder of Atikori.
Tanrin Larinkoye was such a powerful and influential personality that he was described as "Kegbo, e ni gba, ke gba, e ni sese". This appellation stands till today. The five friends established five separate game hunting camps. Tanrin has his camp north of the town. Because of the perculiar hut he made, the place was called Atikuwo describing the style of entering his hut. The name Atikuwo with times, change to Atikori. The camps that were built by the five friends soon grew into towns. Each town has its market both day and night and Iledi Osugbo.
According to oral history, before the arrival of Tanrin Larinkoye and his party, people have inhabited this part of the town. No wonder, Tarin Larinkoye met a woman also of powerful character known as Maje. The got married. It was further revealed that one day, while Maje was in the forest to gather leaves with which to wrap the corn porridge (eko) she sighted an elephant. Quickly and quietly, she returned home to call her husband. On receiving the news, Tanrin went to the spot and shot at the elephant at a place called eri Osun and the elephant finally fell at a place called ojogun, now Bagije.
The people of Atikori believe in the existence of spiritual forces that influence the lives of mankind. They believe that the origin of the world is traceable to a Supreme Being generally known as God or Olodumare. Before the advent of colonialism, the indigenes of Atikori worshipped many deities that served as direct intermediaries between them and God or Olodumare. Some of those traditional religious practices existing till today are ogun, egungun, oro, sango, orisanla and many others.
At the inception of Christianity and Islam in Ijebu land, Atikori people warmly embraced the two religions. The first organized Church was built beside the Atikori Market (Ram and Goat Sections) now the present site of St. James School ground, Atikori, Ijebu-Igbo. Ven (Later Bishop S. O. Phillips) laid the foundation of the Church on November 30, 1932, The Church was dedicated on May 9, 1946 by Bishops A. B. Akinyele and S. C. Phillips and Ven. J. O. Lucas aided by thirty-nine clergymen. Similarly, the first mosque was built at Itamosugbo in Atikori and the first Chief Imam of Ijebu-Igbo Central Mosque was Imam Aliyu also from Atikori Town.
Atikori Town's main occupation is farming and trading. The people farm in the villages througout the week and return to the town during the week-end to rest and also for celebrations. One of such villages, Abeku was very popular. It was named ekefa igbo by the late Orimolusi, Oba Sami Adetayo (Kupakude IV) when he visited the Village in 1987.
Atikori town has more than on hundred villages. Most of the villages have primary schools, churches and mosques.
Social and cultural groups like Atikori Community Development Committee (formerly Atikori Development Council), Atikori Foundation, Atikori Club and other several Clubs and trade associations are in the vanguard of promoting social and developmental activities in the town. The age-grade groups (regbe-regbe) are being resuscitated among the old and young people of Atikori.
The people of Atikori believe in the existence of spiritual forces that influence the lives of mankind. They believe that the origin of the world is traceable to a Supreme Being generally known as God or Olodumare. Before the advent of colonialism, the indigenes of Atikori worshipped many deities that served as direct intermediaries between them and God or Olodumare. Some of those traditional religious practices existing till today are ogun, egungun, oro, sango, orisanla and many others.
At the inception of Christianity and Islam in Ijebu land, Atikori people warmly embraced the two religions. The first organized Church was built beside the Atikori Market (Ram and Goat Sections) now the present site of St. James School ground, Atikori, Ijebu-Igbo. Ven (Later Bishop S. O. Phillips) laid the foundation of the Church on November 30, 1932, The Church was dedicated on May 9, 1946 by Bishops A. B. Akinyele and S. C. Phillips and Ven. J. O. Lucas aided by thirty-nine clergymen. Similarly, the first mosque was built at Itamosugbo in Atikori and the first Chief Imam of Ijebu-Igbo Central Mosque was Imam Aliyu also from Atikori Town.
