Anambra
Light of the Nation
Anambra State
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Ogba WaterfallsThe Ogba Waterfalls are located in Owerre Ezukala, a town in the Orumba South LGA, which shares boundaries with Imo, Abia and Enugu states.
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Agulu LakeThe Agulu Lake is a natural lake situated between the Agulu and Nri communities of Anaocha LGA.
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Igbo-Ukwu BronzesIgbo-Ukwu is an ancient town and renowned cradle of Igbo civilization. The Igbo-Ukwu museum houses various archaeological findings dating back to the 9th century AD and highlights the iron-age and bronze-age works of Igboland. Igbo-Ukwu is a popular tourist and research centre and attracts scholars and visitors from all over the world.
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Ikenga Virgin Forest
The Ikenga Virgin Forest is in the Orumba North LGA. It is the only known virgin forest in Nigeria as the reserve has neither been cultivated nor had its trees cut down.
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Ogbunike Caves
The Ogbunike caves are situated in a valley behind the Ogba hills in the Oyi LGA. They have much historical and spiritual significance: before the arrival of Christianity in Ogbunike, the caves were worshipped by the local people and their existence is associated with several myths. The caves feature a waterfall at their northwest corner and are linked by a series of tunnels. A stream flows out from one of the tunnels into the River Nkissa. Among the fauna that can be seen at the site are deer, antelope and alligators. In 2007, the caves were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tentative List in the ’mixed’ category.
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Okpu Ana Natural Spring
The Okpu Ana natural spring is in the Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State. The spring, whose source is unknown, gushes out of a large boulder embedded in a cliff and is regarded as having some of the purest waters to be found anywhere.
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Rojenny Tourist Village, Oba
The Rojenny Tourist Village is situated in Oba along the Onitsha/Owerri road. The tourist village provides a tropical atmosphere for relaxation, picnicking, cultural entertainment and nature conservation.
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The Odinani Museum
The Odinani Museum is located in Nri and was founded by the Archaeology Department of the University of Ibadan. It has received wide recognition for its documentation of the ancient Nri Kingdom whose monarchy dates back to about 900 AD.
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Obu Ofo-Nri Museum
The Obu Ofo-Nri Museum is a private museum established by the Eze Nri of Enugwu-Ukwu. It has a wide range of artwork collections.
Other historic sites include a monument for the first indigenous Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan (the Professor Kenneth Onwuka Dike Centre in Awka); the tomb of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi (the first Nigerian to be beatified by the Catholic Church); and apparition centres (sacred places believed to be unsafe for people owing to the presence of ghosts) in various parts of the state. -
New Yam Festival
The most significant festival in Anambra State is the annual New Yam festival celebrated in thanksgiving to the gods for good harvests.
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Ofala Festivals
The Ofala festivals are annual feasts that feature dancing and masquerades in commemoration of the kings' annual outing.
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Igu Aro
Igu Aro festivals are celebrated in some of Anambra’s communities to flag off the annual planting season.
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Mmanwu Festival
The Mmanwu festival, which features large displays of masquerades from various communities performing together, is aimed at preserving aspects of Igbo cultural heritage.
Other important festivals include the Ime Ogbe (celebrated in commemoration of the discovery of the Ogbunike caves), the Egwu Imo Awka festival in Awka, the Nwafor festival in Ogidi, the Onwa Asato festival in Nri, the Omaliko festival in Abatete, the Uzo-Iyi festival Umuoji, the Udo festival in Igbo-Ukwu, the Ezi-okpaligwe festival in Amawbia and the Orima festival in Amorka. Participants in these festivals are treated to dance, drama and other arts performed both by people and masquerades.
