In the pre-colonial Yoruba society, the power of the Oyo Mesi were checked by
Answer Details
In the pre-colonial Yoruba society, the power of the Oyo Mesi, the council of chiefs and advisers to the Oyo king, were checked by the Bashorun, the prime minister of the Oyo Empire. The Bashorun was the second in command in the empire and acted as a check on the power of the king and the Oyo Mesi. He was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day affairs of the empire and had the power to veto decisions made by the king and the council of chiefs. The Bashorun was selected from the powerful Oyo Mesi council and was regarded as a powerful figure in Yoruba political and social life.