TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS IN IJESALAND!

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS IN IJESALAND!

Ijesaland has highly invaluable tourism sites which are unknown to many people; the only well-known tourism site in Ijesaland is Olumirin waterfall. I will thereby inform you all that Ijesaland has in stock great tourism potentialities, waiting to be tapped. To mention a few:

Kiriji Memorial Battle Field, Imesi-Ile/Igbajo.
Kiriji Memorial Battle Field is also known as Kiriji War Site and again known as Kiriji Peace Treaty Site. It is a land area between Imesi-Ile and Igbajo. Kiriji War Site is where the “Treaty of Peace” for the cessation of war among Yoruba people, was signed. The “Treaty of Peace” was signed between the Twenty-Four Yoruba Obas, On September 23, 1886, to end a 400 year-old war which claimed lives of the strong and vulnerable people of race. Kiriji War lasted for Fifteen Years (1877-1892) and it was the last war among Yoruba people.

There are two giant “Peregun trees”planted at the site, one on Igbajo land and the other on Ibadan land. Notable features within the site of the treaty include the Peace Treaty Monument on which the details of agreement of the Peace Treaty is inscribed and the Peregun Trees which still exists to denote the spot of agreement.

Ogedengbe Cenotaph, Ereja Square, Ilesa:
Ogedengbe Cenotaph was built in memory of the renowned Orisarayibi Ogedengbe; the Mighty King of Ijesaland, ObaNla of Ijesaland, Seriki Ajanaku of Ijesaland, Balogun of Ilesa. He loved and defended Ijesaland during the days of inter-tribal war in the 19th century. He is still remembered today for his bravery. Ogedengbe was the General/Commander-in-Chief of the Ekiti Parapo Army who challenged the Ibadan hegemony.

The Cenotaph was built in his honour after his death. He died on 29th July, 1910; the sky rocked and thundered (3 times) to show that a great warrior had passed way. That is why Ijesa people always says that “God shot Gun throughout Nigeria the day Ogedengbe died” (Ojo ti Ogedengbe ku, Olorun yon ibon).

Oba-Ala’s Palace, Okesa, Ilesa:
Oba-Ala’s palace was first occupied by Late Chief Orisarayibi Ogedengbe in 1898, Oba-Ala Ogedengbe of Ilesa 1; ObaNla of Ijesaland, Seriki Ajanaku of Ijesaland, Balogun of Ilesa and the Generalissimo of Ekiti Parapo Army of the common cause in the 19th/20th Century. There are some historical places in the palace, like Ogun Shrine, Expansive Outer Court, Inner Courts; Royal Seats for Oba-ala himself and Inner Prison Cells & Dark Cell Rooms where General Ogedengbe’s captured slaves were kept.

In the palace, there are Ogedengbe’s Firearms, Swords, War Outfits and Guns. There are also Ogedengbe’s personal photographs and a group photograph taken with other notable warriors of old, including Fabunmi of Oke-Imesi, Faboro of Ido, Olugbosun of Oye, and Aruta. The large dishes and a full portrait picture sent to Ogedengbe by his foreign friend, late King George V of England are also in the palace, among others.

Ibodi Forest Reserve for Monkeys, Ibodi:
Ibodi forest reserve for Monkeys is called Igbo Edun by the natives. The forest houses Monkeys that reportedly came to Ibodi with an Oba of the town and Araomofe spirit from Ile Ife. Araomofe festival is held every September to appease the Araomofe Spirit and the Monkeys.

Allahu Rock, Allahu Enclave, Ipetu-Ijesa Territory:
Allahu rock is in an enclave in Ipetu-Ijesa territory. A verse of Quran is naturally written on the rock. It was discovered 6-7 years ago.

Source of Osun River, Iponda:
Historically, a woman called OSUN once lived in Iponda. She was a warrior. Later, she learnt that there was a war going on in Igede Ekiti and as a warrior, she left for the war front to settle the war. Unfortunately, the situation became unbearable and unfavourable as she expected at the war front; but powerful she was, she used her juju power and disappeared into the ground and turned to water spring and started flowing from Igede Ekiti to Iponda. She got to Iponda and changed back to her normal woman posture and narrated her ordeal to Aponda in Iponda. She later turned to water again and eventually became a River known as OSUN RIVER today which flows to Osogbo, Ede, Ibadan, Ijebu and other places in Western Nigeria.

The Renowned Olumirin Waterfall:
Olumirin waterfall has breathtaking seven-level waterfalls whose charm and tourism potential are underestimated. The thundering seven-level waterfall comes over the escarpment and tumbles in succeeding levels of waterfalls. It also has seven layers of rocks; the wall of its massive rock cleft is rugged in verdant colours; a verdant brushes of verdure.

It got seven levels to ascend, with each level revealing difference natural architectural magnum-opus and a great gift of nature from God. Each fall distinctly marks the mystical propensity of the fountain; broken pieces of rocks serves as stepping stones through which people climbs to each fall. Olumirin waterfall is indeed a craft of supreme architecture.
The view at all the levels is wonderful and the freshness of the water is energizing. Its falls are surrounded by towering mountains that gives one the sense of wildlife mixed with serenity. Its streams flows majestically amid the rocks and splashes down with great force on the vegetation around; it falls with thundering rush and loud thuds.

The breeze at the waterfall is cool and refreshing. Its springs never run dry in rainy and dry seasons. There are natural landscaping trees and sloppy areas. The whole scenery is fascinating and idyllic. Apart from the beautiful site present at the Olumirin waterfall are also fresh water prawns which belongs to the “Infraorder Caridea family, Atyidae and Genus Caridina” (Biological terms). Olumirin waterfall is a perfection of God’s handwork, I must confess!

The first fall plunges through a narrow opening in a cluster of luxuriant tree trunks blanketed in dark green leafage, down a steeply folded rock face of about 10 meters in height. Like a rain of a million limpid pins, the showers descend and inundates huge boulder reposed at its plunge pool below.

Fallen logs of wood laid dank in the pool and out-flowing stream channel. The air hung muggy with a heavy smoke of splashed water droplets. The sight sparks the first fire of excitement that pervades the veins of any tourist at the falls. The refreshing ambience is further thickened when one ascends the steep rocks to explore the other stages of the waterfalls.

The ascent to the second fall begins at this spring. It is tougher than the first but approaching it, one begins to see anew the overwhelming beauty of the perfection of God’s handwork. The second fall is the most gigantic of all, with the waters diving down a 40m-high cliff. The copious plunge is most spectacular in the rainy season when the stream channel is at its flooding levels. Its plunge pool forms a shallow improvised swimming pool for tourists at the site who are lucky and brave enough to get to the second fall. An adorable rainbow bedecks its floor.

Climbing to other falls is arduous and torturous, as there are no escalators or clear paths made up the ridge slopes, except depressions and projections on the surface, as well as roots and branches of huge trees, forest climbers and shrubs along the paths, which serves as hand and foot hands for the adventurous tourists. Nevertheless, the ascent of the enormous ridge is most rewarding, as one is treated to dazzling and panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape, depicting the true natural beauty of the Nigerian landmass.

The third level is simply spectacular and each increase means a corresponding rise in grandeur. For most tourists and fun seekers, climbing up to the third level can best be equated to traipsing the snowy steeply Mount Everest. The whole place is cool, calm and refreshing due to the permeation of the coolness of the streams. The fourth level beckons next and having come this far up, there is no way to go but higher still, taking the next torturous and joyful stride.

The most intriguing level is the seventh level, which is the peak of the falls. So enthralling, it takes determination, bravery and skills to get there; it is not a walk in the park at all. The environment is cool and reserving; it’s a flattish area covered in trees. There are all kinds of fruits like pineapple, oranges, among other; the view is captivating. At this level, one sees the source of the waterfalls. The source of the Olumirin waterfall is a rock-like shape of a pot from which the water gushes like a pump; the waterfalls exude from a big rock-like pot.

The seventh level hosts a settlement which is another great attraction at the waterfalls. The rural commune is called “Abake village”. The name “Abake” is a Yoruba word which is a combination of two Yoruba words: “Aba” “Oke”, meaning “the village on the top”, suggesting the location of the small village. Its inhabitants have been living there for hundreds of years. The village is said to be in Efon Alaaye Local Government, hence the villagers refer to their settlement as Efon Alaaye (Ekiti State).

The village basically consists of mud houses and the people there are predominantly farmers who specialized in growing food crops and cash crops. There women engages in Gari processing- using local method and trading. The commune suffers from inaccessibility of good roads, lack of electricity, hospitals, clinics or health centres, e.t.c; despite this deprivation, they are ever hospitable and delighted to see people climb the mammoth crest in order to visit their remote enclave. They host the tourists with fruits- oranges, pineapple, banana, and the likes.

Itapa Kingdom, Erinmo-Ijesa:
Itapa kingdom is in the town of Erinmo Ijesa, Oriade Local Government Area; it only made up of 2-3 buildings- 2 storey buildings and a bungalow. Dr. Olapade Agoro, the former presidential candidate of the National Action Council (NAC) parades himself as the Traditional and Paramount ruler of the Kingdom. Itapa-Ijesa kingdom is indeed a comical place to behold.

Other places are:
The Ancient Wall Clock , Obokungbusi Town Hall, Ilesa.
Ipole Ancient Palace of Owa-Obokun, Ipole-Ijesa.
Ipetu-Ijesa Forest Reserve (White Porcupine), Along Ilesa-Akure Expressway.
Owa Ajibogun Shrine and Groove, Igbadae.
Oke Erinmo (Erinmo Hill), Erinmo Ijesa.
Owa Obokun Statue, Ereja Square, Ilesa.
Owa Obokun Millenia Palace, Ilesa.
Imesi-Ile Mysterious Caves and Rocks.
Naturally Carved Foot-prints, Esa-Oke.
Igi-Nla (Mysterious Tree), Iwara.
Agirigiri Shrine, Ijebu Ijesa.
Kiriji Museum, Imesi-Ile.
Mineral Spring, Esa-Oke.
Ogun Shrine, Ipole-Ijesa.
Esa-Odo Dam, Esa-Odo.
Osun Shrine, Iponda.

There are also some cultural festivals in Ijesaland that are Recreational, Entertaining and also tourists’ attractions. To mention a few:
Playing of ‘Ayo Olopon’ in Ijesaland as a whole:
“Ayo Olopon” is also known as “Tota Tope”. It’s a popular traditional game in Yorubaland and Ijesaland as the Heart of Yorubaland. It is a game played on a wooden board with two rows of six holes by two to four competitors, and revered for its entertainment values.

Opa festival, Ipetu-Ijesa:
Odun Opa is the preeminent cultural carnival in Ipetu-Ijesa. It marks seasons. Opa festival does not involve rituals or making of sacrifices unto any idol, this is why throngs participate in the ceremony. It is all about singing and dancing while some physically fit men and women voluntarily flog each other on their back; the young and the old engage in severe flogging of each other to mark the clearing of the bush for the cultivation. Strong young men see it as an exercise while many people see it as a torturous festival.

Odun Obalogun, Iloko-Ijesa:
Obalogun was a warlord like many strong men, and the great warriors in history were used by the various Ajagbusi-Ekun to propagate their wars. Obalogun was an archer and very powerful in the use of charms. He hailed from Ogbe in Ondo State. He came to Ibokun on a mission from Alara of Ilara to assassinate Owa Obokun but he changed his mind because of Owa’s hospitality to him.

He lived with Owa for sometime. However, due to some friction with Owa, he was banished. Obalogun sought the favour and protection of Owaloko Oyewole (1518-1559), which was granted and he moved to Iloko as Owaloko’s warlord. Obalogun was widely renowned for his prowess and war victories; that is why he is celebrated in Iloko Ijesa till today.

The Imesi-Ile annual Egungun festival- “Owolewas” & “Daadouns”.
IKEDI Festival, Imesi-Ile: It features cultural dances and huge display of historical costumes.

Olokun and Ijesu festival, Erinmo-Ijesa: It marks the beginning of “New Yams.”

Imesi-Ile festival of Drums and Dance steps, Imesi-Ile.
Iwude-Ogun festival, Ilesa
Ibegun festival, Ipole-Ijesa
Erede festival, Itagunmodi.
Agbeleku festival, Erin Oke.
Odun Oniyo, Osu.





Yours Truly,
Oluwatomilola K. Boyinde,
Ijesaland Renaissance Initiative.