History of Sanmmora.
Over a Thousand years ago, a powerful hunter called ATEROKO-PEKUN who migrated from IRE-EKITI (in Ondo State) and an equally Powerful Herbalist and Ifa priest (Babalawo) named ALASO-NLA, both settled down near a river called JELEWU river in SANMORA. ATEROKO stayed at the southern part of Jelewu River while ALASO-NLA occupied the Northern part of the same River.
Before the Arrival of ATEROKO and ALASO-NLA, Oba Eleju had been living at a place called IGBO OBAJE. Oba Eleju is an Off-spring of ALAFIN of OYO who left OYO ILE more than One Thousand Years ago and settled down at IGBO OBAJE. ONIPEE of Ipee town and Eleju are Brothers as both of them were Off-spring of ALAFIN OYO, they both left OYO ILE the same day. This explains Why Eleju and Onipee share a common land boundary ; it also explain why reference is always made to Onipee when mentioning Eleju's Family name and Vice Verse.
Oba Eleju had a habit of carrying out Periodic inspection of his Eju-Land. Sometimes when he is occupied He will send one of his sons as the Head of delegation of his other subjects to take a look round Eju-Land. One of such Inspection took Elejus son to the Bank of JELEWU river where he met ATEROKO and ALASO-NLA. They both recognised Eleju's son immediately as a Royal Entity and Was treated as such, with a lavish entertainment. The Prince took a decision AND send his slaves back to Igbo Obaje where his Father (Oba Eleju) reside with reason and comment goes thus: Ibi ti mo wa Yii San mi Lara. Meaning This place is most pleasant to live. .
Then the Eleju consistance REPLY to people enquiring as to the prince whereabout then was : O lo si iboti Wi San oun Lara meaning He has gone to the place he found most pleasant to live. So Igbo Obaje people then reffered to the Prince as San-Molara.
A time came when Oba Eleju was seriously troubled as a result of the ibadan war which affected many parts of Yoruba land. Many of his subject at Igbo Obaje were captured and enslaved. His son, who have been living with Ateroko and Alaso Nla heard of his father's troubles mind, went to Igbo Obaje and Advised his father to move down to he was living as the place was quite save and free from war mongers. Oba Eleju agreed with his son and moved down to where people reffered to as San Mo lara before then transformed to SANMORA as it is know today. Several people from other part of Yoruba came, found the place to be truly very Pleasant to live and settled down among them are: Oloba, Baale, Ojomu, Elejikumi, Alape, Osolo, Anwa, Arogun, Alapini, Alagemo etc. Thus Sanmora Since became the capital and seat of Eleju of Eju-Land.Other towns and villages under the leadership of Sanmora are: IgbonLa, Isale-Eju Iludun, Araromi, Bayagan, Kajola Sanmora.
Among the several monumental heritage in Sanmora is Oju Odo. Oju-Odo is an extra Ordinary and exceptional pond, the depth of which is said to be BEYOND HUMAN KNOWLEDGE, Oju Odo is situated at the Eastern Part of Igbo Obaje and History has it that Dead Men and Women from Sanmora and Other town in Eju Land could be found Somewhere below the Depth of Oju Odo living another life.
There is also Otaakin Rock, Which Provided cover and Shielded our Ancestors from the menace of war mongers in those days. A big Hole situated on top of Otaakin rock and is also believe to lead to Oju-Odo pond, hence Otaakin Rock is a powerful myth to which prayers and Sacrifices are offered by Eleju and his subject in Eju land around the end of March every year.