Ansogun Stone, Gbonka Tomb, Iresaapa Sinkhole, Agbele Suspended Lake and other tourism sites as Ogbomoso plans ‘biggest carnival’ (1)
Femi OGUNLANA
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It is touted, it is going to be the biggest carnival to unfold in Nigeria. The Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, the visioner, expressed this confidence. We cannot doubt him. All his life he has envisioned, and worked to achieve incredible goals that set him apart for high stake successes.
Styled “Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival,” it’s being driven by a committee specially chosen by the monarch headed by Prince Williams Adeleye, a Senior Advisor on Information and Ethics to former President Muhammadu Buhari. The committee is firing from all cylinders to notch this ambitious goal, rakiing up endorsements and securing approvas including from the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Oyo state Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Aare Gani Adams, the Spiritual Leader of Oodua People’s Congeess (OPC) and who is Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.
From all indications, the carnival is going to be a total package, more than just a festival but an aggregation of festivals, carnival floats, musical concerts, promotion of traditional cuisine, display of the unique tradition and culture of the ancient community (or communities embedded within the Ogbomoso geopolitical zone).
Between December 19 and 23 when it’s scheduled thousands of tourists are expected to behold the spectacle.
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Ogbomoso is an aggregation of several ancient classical kingdoms and within their bellies are nestled a number of centres with lots of tourism potentials, which however are undeveloped. But if explored can be real tourist attraction centres.
Tourism has become real money spinner that can virtually change the face of any place economically and what have you. If during the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival 1, 000 people flock the zone, imagine how that will translate into economic boom because these 1, 000 people will find accomodations, thus hotels will experience spike in patronage; the 1, 000 tourists will feed, drink – water and other drinks of choice, fuel dealers will sell more, transporters will carry more passengers, souvenirs will sell, creative persons who can come up with unique ideas will certainly smile to the banks.
That is the reason all patriots of Ogbomoso need to commend the vision of their progressive monarch fondly called “Oba Ghandi.”
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In this series, ogbomosoinsightonline.com will begin to unveil some tourist centres in the zone visitors during the carnival can find time to throng for a new experience, explorative discoveries and fun. Several of them are undeveloped but in their pristine forms and rich historical background they will be worth it.
1. ANSOGUN STONE FORMATION AT IRESAADU
Iresaadu headquarters of Surulere local government, has an ancient unique mystical stone formation, similar to what is found in some other places in the world. Such as the popular Esie soapstone in Kwara state.
The legend
According to tradition, Ansogun was a gallant warrior who led Iresaadu to many victories. But while returning from an expedition, he was confronted with an unsavoury circumstance at the city gate. Out of anger he did something unthinkable. He mumbled some incantation and there and then turned his generals, soldiers and captured slaves into stones, after which he also transformed into a rocky statue along with his hunting dog and his soul disappeared into the ground. Today, his stone statue stands unambiguously at the head of the band depicting a troop formation led by its commander from the front. The stone formations of various sizes and moulds though not particularly in human shape stretch curvaceously and in rows over 50 metres. Few people outside Iresaadu know of this unbelievably mystical formation and it is held with reverence by the indigenous people especially the custodians.
Ansogun the warrior is venerated since then. To venerate his memory, a black dog, kolanut and palm oil are offered as sacrifice.
Myth
Without a family tour guide, someone who is intent on visiting the place will miss the spot Ansogun disappeared into the ground, represented by the rock pillar, it was said. “Those who tried it in the past got lost in the forest,” Oyetokun Kola told ogbomosoinsightonline.com recently.
It is also disclosed that Ansogun’s wife upon learning his fate turned into a river and any queen of Aresa (the monarch of the town) who drinks from the river will also turn into a river.
In addition, a mysterious chain is left behind at the spot Ansogun transformed into stone or disappeared into the ground, which when pulled can stretch to any length before receding when released back. However, due to indiscriminate, purposeless snap at it, the chain had swirled back into the ground.
The Insight newspaper (print version of this medium,) did an article on it few years ago while also about four years ago BBC Yoruba produced a documentary on it after visiting the place.
It’s time to develop the place, and explore its tourism potentials. Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival it’s believed would lead in the unveiling of this potential gold mine.
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Iresa-Adu is 20 minute-drive from Ogbomoso.
2. THE TOMB OF GBONKA AT OSUPA ORILE – THE OYO FIERCE WARLORD
It’s recently discovered by this medium that Gbonka Ebiri, the redoubtable war general of the ancient Oyo Kingdom, who had a suicidal duel with Timi Agbale Olofa Ina and then with his principal, King Sango, actually migrated to Ogbomoso area, after he issued an ultimatum to the fire-spitting Sango to abdicate the Oyo throne. Gbonka resettled at Osupa-Orile in Ogo-Oluwa local government area, a contiguous community to Ajaawa, headquarters of the council area. Here, he reportedly died, and his people today are domiciled in the Gbadami compound in Osupa.
His tomb is preserved till this day in the village. Also, hoofprints of his mystrerious horse is a monument in the community. For lovers of history, those enamoured with those mystical figures – Sango, Gbonka and Timi (who became the ruler of Ede in Osun state), a visit to the tomb of Gbonka will hold a special appeal.
Ajaawa another historical town is about 30 minute drive from Ogbomoso, and in one minute, one enters Osupa-Orile from Ajaawa.
3. AJINDORUN SINKHOLE AT IRESAAPA
At Iresaapa, Iresaadu’s twin town, is a sinkhole called Ajindorun by the natives. It is on the way to Oko town, under a cacao tree, 15 minutes by vehicle from Ogbomoso.
This sinkhole which resembles sometimes a lake is said to be of great depth, bottomless indeed, hence the name – Ajindorun (deep reaching heaven) – and its water never dries off not even in the dry season no matter the severeness of the dryness. Indigenes use its water for domestic purposes, and its environment and source are usually kept in neat condition.
Meanwhile, like other potential tourists sites in the zone, it’s undeveloped, unexplored.
4. AGBELE SUSPENDED LAKE AT IKOYI
Near Ikoyi, headquarters of Oriire local government, is a hill known as Agbele Hill. The hill is of great height with some striking features – in the face of the hill, one sees a path like a carved road rising over the hill, appearing like spanning its length. Another feature of the hill is what looks like a well on its top, that can best be described as a suspended lake or well. In the meantime the water is used for spiritual purposes. Then, there are rocks held in delicate balance as one ascends the hill. It’s a stunning landscape. It reminds a tourist of Iyake Lake at Ado-Awaye in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo state.
This is yet another tourism potential that can be harnessed and bring people to this zone.
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5. BOAT REGATTA ON OBA & EKU DAMS
… Or some fishing festival. The city is blessed with some dams including Oba Dam and Eku Dam – both founded to supply pipe borne water to the metropolis. Eku Dam predated Oba Dam meanwhile. Each contains massive water that can provide exciting moments for tourists if the potentials are harnessed. Boat/canoe cruise, boat regattas can be staged in the dams during the carnival to fill the time. Boats need to be built and teams formed to engage in racing competitions. This helps to foster spirit of competitiveness, social interactions, community engagements and is always fun-filled periods. This can be experimented on small scale during the maiden edition.
Similarly, fishing festival can be staged on the dams to re-enact the popular Argungu Festival in Argungu Emirate, Kebbi state, where some 50, 000 fishermen participate with the fisherman with the biggest catch winning the competition.
To be continued (as more tourist centres are discovered, in the meantime we know about the Osupa Rolling Stone and Hill Caves, Alesinloye Horse Stable and Tie Rings, SLA Akintola Residence and Tomb, Ogun ‘O Jalu Defence Grove, The Tomb of Souns, Oba River Mysterious Source etc).
