The first four (4) kings in Kula Kingdom that ruled by their names are:
- HRM (King) Kulabe or Tari-Kulabe
- HRM (King) Ala
- HRM (King) Igbanibo
- HRM (King) Oko
These four kings ruled by their names. HRM (King) Kulabe or Tarikulabe who deforested Opu-Kula and reigned over it and other communities under the Opu Kula, that were also founded by him and his followers. He is the great grandfather of HRM (King) Igbaniye Oko 1st. HRM (King) Kulabe or Tari-Kulabe ruled till his last day, all kingship burial rites were duly performed on him according to custom and tradition.
His son, Ala took over and ruled till the end of his life. He was also buried in accordance with custom and tradition. After the death of HRM (King) Ala, his son, Igbanibo succeeded him as the Amayanabo of Kula Kingdom. He also ruled Kula Kingdom till the end of his life and was duly buried with kingship burial rites. After HRM (King) Igbanibo's death, his son Oko took over and all these four kings ruled with a crown called Ebede.
These four kings ruled at Opu-Kula as headquarters of a City-State, even when HRM (King) Igbanibo expanded the kingdom to 14 communities, Opu Kula still remained the headquarters of the Kingdom. HRM (King) Igbaniye Oko later merged the 14 communities together for administrative convenience and stronger defense. Even after the communities moved, residents of those communities did not completely abandon their old settlements, some actually stayed back. This marks the end of the first era of kingship when the kings ruled by their names.