How did Ife become an important Yoruba state between the 11th and 15th centuries?

Between the 11th and 15th centuries, Ile-Ife emerged as a major power and the spiritual heart of the Yoruba people. Its importance was established through several key factors:

• Spiritual and Cultural Authority: Ife was considered a holy city and the legendary birthplace of humankind. As the seat of the ooni (king), it served as the head of a confederation of Yoruba states. Other Yoruba monarchies established their own legitimacy by claiming descent from Ife, often adopting its regalia for coronations or sending the remains of deceased rulers there for burial.12
• Artistic Mastery: The kingdom became renowned for its sophisticated artistry, particularly its naturalistic terra-cotta heads and bronze sculptures created via the cire perdue (lost-wax) process. This artistic tradition influenced the broader development of Yoruba sculptural style.314
• Political Influence: Ife functioned as a well-established kingdom with a monarchical system based on city-states and nucleated villages. It exerted significant political and cultural influence over neighboring regions, including the Edo kingdom of Benin.31