Ogbunike Caves Ogbunike Cave has been known to the local residents for a long time; it was here that many of their ancestors hid during slave raiding parties during the African slave holocaust times.The cave is segmented into sections and there are different stories about each section. The native tour guides delight visiting tourists with the stories of each section. Leading into the cave is a track (a multiple of 60 steps) which leads into a number of other mazes (a complex and baffling network of paths, lines). The entrance to the five tunnels of the cave is a wide and tapering mysterious hemispherical vault of solid rock with all season cool spring water dripping from the top and all corners. Once inside the vault, you feel quite serene as though you have come to a wonderland.
Sandstone caves are very rare and typically very small. The Ogbunike Cave which is a sandstone cave is extraordinary big for this type of caves. It was formed by tectonic forces, which produced weak zones in the rock. Physiochemical and biological weathering and of course erosion led to the formation of the cave. The cave has a rather long history so there are also human alterations. The naturally-carved network of chambers and tunnels has two levels. The lower level is 100m long and leads to an underground river. The upper level is twice as long and dry, and a bat colony and a waterfall sit at the north-western end. Visitors to the cave are advised to go with torch light, wear trousers and prepare to do some crawling. Within the vicinity of Ogbunike cave is Mbida Ogba stream. Visitors to Ogbunike cave will have the advantage of savouring the serenity of the stream.
The cave contains a large bat colony which produced a large deposit of Guano. This guano is the basis to a rich and diverse invertebrate fauna, but also the reason for histoplasmosis infections. In 1996 a very interesting study about histoplasmosis infections amongst the locals was made by a certain Mutoe-Okafor. According to oral tradition passed down the line, it is said that there was a god called Ogba who lived inside the cave in the middle of a large rock. Despite the opaque nature of the rock, he was an all-seeing spirit who could detect crimes, especially, theft. When someone was accused of some sort of crime, he could prove he was innocent by entering the cave. The guilty ones never returned alive. Hence the locals call the cave ‘Ogba’ after the god. The cave which is a tourist destination is very well known in the area and has a considerable number of visitors every year. Because of religious tradition the visitors to the cave are only allowed in with their feet bare.
There are numerous other rules for visitors, and these are displayed on a sign at the entrance which reads, “Ifite Youth Movement warning; no entry except by permission. Remove your shoes before entering into the cave. Ladies under period banned. Receive receipt after payment. Herbalist or spiritual ceremony in the cave is banned. Deforestation of cave will be prosecuted. Defaulters will be prosecuted”. Unfortunately painting graffiti on the wall is not forbidden, so many walls are full of graffiti. The Ogba-Ogbunike are associated with living traditions and are said to have been used by the people for many centuries. The site still retains its historical and spiritual significance. There is an annual festival called “ ” celebrated in commemoration of the discovery of the caves. The biodiversity of the site has remained almost intact. The integrity of the site can be attested to by the presence of the primary forests around the caves. The Nkisa River flows by the side of the caves into which the water that drains from the caves empties itself at the point, where the difference in temperature is felt between the river and the water from the rock. The entire site is within a range of undulating hills and valleys which stretch across other communities and farmlands. The site has sufficient boundaries (20 hectares) to protect its values from direct effects of human encroachment.
Wow! Worthy to be visited.
ReplyDeleteNnaemeka Aguofia