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| Olumo Rock |
Abeokuta is the largest city and capital of Ogun state in southwest
Nigeria and it is situated at 7.9.39”N 3.20.54”E Coordinates: on the
Ogun River, 64 miles north of Lagos by railway, or 81 miles by water.
Abeokuta was discovered in 1930. Egba is the name of the local people of
Abeokuta who once live under the Oyo Empire.
As of 2005 Abeokuta and the surrounding area had a population of 593,140.Abeokuta lies in fertile country, the surface of which is broken by masses of grey granite. It is spread over an extensive area, being surrounded by mud walls 18 miles in extent. Palm-oil, timber, rubber, yams and Shea-butter are the chief articles of trade. It lies below the Olumo rock, home to several caves and shrines. The town depends on the Oyan river dam for its water supply, which is not always dependable.
Olumo means ‘God molded it’ that is ‘Oluwa lo mo’. Olumo Rock is located in Ikija, Abeokuta. It is the ancestral home of the Egbas, also a significant landmark culturally, historically, and socially. Today it’s said that Olumo rock, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nigeria, sits in the ancient city center of Abeokuta – a name which means ‘under the rock’. Abeokuta was originally inhabited by the Egba people who found refuge at the Olumo rock during the inter-tribal wars in the 19th century. The rock provided sanctuary to the people as well as a vantage point to monitor the enemy’s advance leading to eventual triumph in war.THE HIDE-OUT POINTS AND SHRINES:
These are tiny natural caves with holes on the floor where the Egba warriors were said to have hidden their wives and children during the inter-tribal or Yoruba civil wars. There are hole-dug on the floor which were said to have provided a device for grind pepper, tomatoes, onions and other ingredients during the war. There are also some shrines of Yoruba gods located just by the caves.
The town of Abeokuta eventually grew as these new settlers spread out from this location. Olumo means “all the troubles and sufferings were over” .Olumo rock was turned into a tourist site in 1976 and thus commission in February 3rd 2006 by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
We arrived at the Olumo Rock tourist complex Ikija, Abeokuta north L.G. at Exactly 2.53pm in the afternoon. Our visit to the site of Olumo rock on the 19th of September, 2014.
At the foot of the rock, we looked up the rock with formidable heights. Many hearts must have missed a beat and not a few among us would have wondered to themselves “are we really going to climb to the top of this rock?” but there was no time to waste as our Guide (Mr. Babalola Gbenga) and other lecturers led the way (stair-case) for us to follow and they saw us climbed up the man-made stairs carved into the rock, It left many breathless. Up the rock we went.
Some of us rushed eagerly enjoying the refreshing breeze blowing down the rock. However, that does not last long because the surface of the rock was dark and wrinkled (Igneous rock) and ready to take a break to rest at the Lisabi garden which consisted of “Kpasheke tree, Dogonyaro tree and Ighi-odon tree” growing from the rock, from there we proceeded into the “Olumo main shrine”. Its has a small door, covered with Feathers. It has 4 padlocks. Where sacrifice is being made every 5th of august annually to the gods, it is an historical monument because the people of the town hide under the rock during the war times and ever since the people worship the rock. They make use of Big black cows, Ram, Pigeon, Eko (agidi), 200 snails, plenty of gin, kola nuts, bitter cola and fowl are used for the sacrifices.The Jaguno Itoko,Olorogun,Odofin onifa of Egba and the hunters are the people who perform the rites at the shrine and prayers are offered. TWO OR Three days after the sacrifice, the Alake of Egbaland and other Obas will come to the shrine to offer prayers and only 2 people are allowed to enter which is the king and the chief.
The worshippers of Igun deity (Orisa Igun) dwell permanently on the Rock, they perform all the necessary sacrifice to the deity. They not only worship the deity, they also function as herbalist to people. Orisa Igun is celebrated annually during which yam,goats, fowl, beans etc are offered to the gods. The festival starts by March and ends in April. The ceremony lasts 30days.
It was noted that during the raining season Olumo rock produced water that could be used by local herbalist to cure sickness and diseases but it stopped producing water 50years ago, close to this point was a tomb behind the house of a chief called Sonni Osi-Toko who died on the 23rd January 1956 at 122yrs and this route lead to the Egba war hide-out which was discovered by Paul Adagba and a five (5) rooms was constructed where the Egba people sort refuge during the inter-tribal war. While on the other side of the rock consisted of statutes that represents the Egba past heroes and symbols of the Egba warriors whom are “Iliesha Abi Agbongbakala, Agagba the great hunter” and “Okonkenu the first paramount ruler in Egba land”, “Jagun Jagun the sharp shooter and general in command” and symbols like “cowries” which represented money used at that period of time.
We were showed the Ancient way which led to the top of Olumo rock, the height of the rock is 137meters above sea level and at this point the whole Abeokuta could be seen e.g. the first Church in Nigeria, N.T.A Abeokuta, Baptist Boys High School, The family house of late Abiola, the Central Mosque, Sanatan, River Ogun etc. and after which we thank the tour guide for telling us about the history of the Olumo rock and we came down from the top the rock using ‘the modern way’ down, we partied until 7.00pm and into the
School Bus heading back to Lagos.
Purpose:Olumo Rock is a recreational purpose, it serves as an enlightenment to ancient Nigerian Culture.
My trip to Olumo Rock was interesting and educative, which made my day exciting, because I was truly enlightened.
I thank Mr. Alagbe who made this trip possible and God who made the trip safe.