Ekiti
Land of Honour
Ekiti State
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Ikogosi Warm SpringLocated in the heart of Ikogosi, is a quiet valley town with rich local customs in the western part of Ekiti State, these two springs are a geological wonder: one warm (up to 70° Celsius at its source) and one cold originate close together (and within the same rock formation), meet, and flow onwards with each retaining its thermal identity. Experts believe that these springs are the only example of their kind in the world. It is believed that both springs used to be human beings, wives of one husband who were transformed as a result of their rivalry. The hot and ill-tempered wife is believed to have turned into the warm spring while the cool-tempered wife turned into the cold one and their husband became the undulating hills that encompass the springs. Some of the townspeople still worship the springs as deities.
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Olosunta and Orole Hills of Ikere
These sacred hills are located in the Ikere LGA and are worshipped every year for seven days as part of a large festival which draws tourists from far and near. The Ugele hill has a big cave which can house over 1,000 people and which served as a refuge place for the locals during wartime centuries ago. The cave was also used as a venue for traditional wrestling in the past. The Orole hill resembles an egg half-buried in the soil: a distinct shape which stands out within the landscape. The rock is worshipped by the indigenes as a goddess of prosperity. The site is ideal for mountain-climbing, sight-seeing and picnicking.
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Fajuyi Memorial Park
Situated in Ado-Ekiti, the park was built in memory of the late Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, the former military governor of the Western Region who was killed along with General Aguiyi Ironsi during the second military coup in Nigeria and is home to his final resting place. The park is equipped with a fountain, game arcade, playground, a mini-museum/archival centre, restaurant and bar and GSM telephone booths for visitors and tourists.
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Erinta Water Falls
The Erinta waterfalls are a wonder spectacle to behold, cascading down rocky hills from a great height to form a flowing pool of spring water amidst natural forest vegetation. They are located in Ipole-Iloro Ekiti and are a popular tourist site that draws local and foreign tourists to the State.
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Efon Water Falls
These waterfalls are of a height of ten metres and are tucked away in a remote corner of Effon Ridge near the town of Effon-Alaaye. They are notable for their pristine spring waters.
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Osun River Source
The source of the Osun River is located in Igede-Ekiti in the Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA. The river meanders from Igede-Ekiti to the Ijero area, moving through Ikoro-Okemesi-Ekiti before flowing into Osun State. The river is worshipped by the people of Osogbo in Osun State as a goddess of fertility.
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Esa Cave, Iyin-EkitiThe Esa cave is in Iyin-Ekiti in the Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA. The cave is capable of containing approximately 34,000 people and was believed to have been a refuge for the people of the town during internecine wars in Yoruba land.
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Olota, Ajo, Age, Ayoba and Uta Epe Hills
These hills are striking features of the beautiful scenery surrounding Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. Olota Hill (also known as Mary Hill) is a religious tourist site where Christian pilgrims flock to for retreats and Olota Hill also provides an excellent view of the entire Ado-Ekiti hinterland.
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Ooni River
The Ooni River is in Efon-Alaaye-Ekiti and is believed to have the power of curing water-borne diseases such as guinea worm. Scores of visitors troop to the river in hopes of finding cures for various diseases.
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Egbigbu Lake
This is an artificial lake located in Ayetoro-Ekiti in the Ido-Osi LGA. The lake features guest houses, a restaurant and bar. It is ideal for relaxation, boating and fishing.
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Oroke Ewo War Centre
The Oroke Ewo war centre is located about two kilometres from Ilupeju-Ekiti (formerly known as Egosi-Ekiti) along the Ibele-Araromi road. It was the site of a famous war between warriors from Ilorin (led by their warlord Ali) and the Egosi Kingdom (led by Oloseru, Elewere, Oloyagba and Olowotoranse) during the eighteenth century. Local legends hold that during the war, the Egosi people displayed magical powers, including turning the warlord Ali and his chair and calabash of charms into stones (known as Odidi-mode). The Ilorin warriors’ big bembe drum was also turned to stone (Ojongbede), while Ali’s camel was turned into an ose tree, all of which are preserved at the centre. The stone drum still rings out when beaten.
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Udiroko Festival, Ado-Ekiti
The Udiroko festival is celebrated in Ado-Ekiti. It is the only festival apart from Ogun or Oitado according to Ado-Ekiti tradition that brings all Ado-Ekiti citizens both at home and in the diaspora together. It was established around 1310 AD during the reign of Oba Awamaro, the first Ewi (king) of present day Ado-Ekiti and marks the first day of the year for the town’s inhabitants. It is a day people set aside to give thanks for their creator Olorun (hence its nickname, the Olorunborun festival). The name udiroko is derived from the venue of the festival, which is beneath the big Uroko (Iroko) tree at the Ewi’s palace.
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Ogun Onire FestivalThe Ogun festival is held annually in most towns and villages in the state in remembrance and worship of the god of iron, was believed to be a hunter who migrated from Ile-lfe to Ire-Ekiti in the course of a hunt, but ended up staying permanently. According to oral history, he is believed to have disappeared into the ground after beheading some people of the town who deceived him with an empty keg of palm wine. Ogun is believed to be the god of those who use iron in their professional work (and who are therefore obliged to worship the deity in order to receive his favour).
In Ire-Ekiti, the main festival in remembrance of the deity takes place biennially, usually during the month of August. The elaborate events take place over the course of a week and include a re-enactment of the arrival of Ogun in Ire.
Other festivals include Odun Ijesu (the New Yam Festival), the Okorobo festival (held in Ifaki-Ekiti), the Ajagbo Dance (Isinbode-Ekiti), the Ladunwo Masquerade (Oke-Imesi), the Uromo festival (Igede-Ekiti) and Odun Ifa.
