5 Mysterious Places in Nigeria
opera.com
Mar 22, 2020 12:43 PM
Although Science have made us disbelieve almost everything without fact that happens around us. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for a little mystery as well. Some places or stories about places are just full of intrigues and so much mysteries that we can’t just explain them away. Below are the Top5 mysterious places/ Events in Nigeria.
5. OSUN- OSOGBO SACRED GROVE
Located on the outskirts of the city of Osogbo, Osun state. This Sacred Grove is situated in one of the last remaining high forest in Southern Nigeria. It is wildly believed that the goddess of fertility, Osun lives in the Grove. It is so rich in religious heritage that you could almost fill her presence while people have allegedly said the goddess has called out their names. The landscape is divided by a trickling river, its bank rich with little sanctuaries, old shrine and sculptures making it a terrifying view. The Osun- Osogbo Sacred Grove is the last surviving grove in Yoruba culture and an important symbol of identity for all Yoruba people. Not really scary but the thought of being alone in this forest is already sending shivers down my spin.
4. MIRACLE STREAM- ENUGU
In the month of November 2013, which usually is considered a dry season in Nigeria, a mystery stream surprisingly appeared out of nowhere in Nachi community in Udi local government area of Enugu state almost 42 years after it allegedly surfaced and disappeared in the same place. According to reports, the stream was first noticed by a Fulani herdsman who went to the area to feed his cattle when suddenly he saw water gushing out from a sandy farm-land close by. Before he could turn his back, the entire area had water about 5 feet deep. There were also scores of alleged healing testimonies from sick people who either swam or drank from the stream.
3. THE LONG JUJU SHRINE OF AROCHUKWU
It was believed that there was a temple complex with a chamber presence of God in Igboland. It once served as the highest court in Igboland where oblation and propitiation rites were performed for the Chukwu, the Great Spirit. Those found guilty were either sold into slavery or put to death depending on the degree of their offences. During the 17th through 19th centuries, the Aro extended the religious and judicial influence of Chukwu by establishing oracular shrines of Ibin Ukpabi in many villages and towns in igboland. But in 1901, the British become scared of the Aro imperial domination and economic control of the then impenetrable Igbo interior ordered a military expedition that lasted 2 years. The mandate of the soldiers was to destroy the oracular shrine together with the oracle of Ibin Ukpabi in Arochukwu which was believed to be the source of Aro imperial influence. The British claimed it destroyed the temple complex thereby drastically reducing the religious and political influence that the Aro had over Igboland. But evidence from archeological finding discovered that the temple complex was not destroyed. The Aro were believed to have used their surpassing diplomacy and extraordinary tact to secretly preserve the sacred jungle where the temple was located. From 1902, the Aro barred the indigenes from entering or talking about the complex. Since then, the oracle of Ibin Ukpabi and the chamber presence of Chukwu have remained the best kept secret of the people of Arochukwu. It is believed that the shrine has been lost in time as no one knows where or how to find the shrine.
2. BIBLE SITE, ARAYA
On August of 1914, an unlettered aging woman named Mrs. Ofuonwaike Esiero along with other farmers on their way back from their farmland suddenly discovered a large bible and a letter with a tuber of yams spread on the sandy beach. It was raining on that very day but mysteriously while everything else were soaked and dripping with water, the open bible and the letter were dry. Prior to the discovery, a man who had converted to the Christian faith told the people that he received a revelation just before the rainy season of 1914 to expect a wonderful miracle from God to Araya. After a protracted debate over what to do, the people of Araya dispatched a delegation to visit a white missionary in Patani. When Rev. Proctor saw the bible and read the letter, he was greatly shaken. He collected the bible and asked them to return in two weeks. The delegation went back two weeks later to Patani only to be told that Rev. Proctor had proceeded on a vacation to Britain. The priest never reached Britain as he reported fell sick and died during the voyage. The bible was never seen again. No one ever knew what the message in the letter said.
1. THE NOK SETTLEMENT
The NOK people lived in the Southern part of the old Kaduna state in central Nigeria. They were extremely advanced with one of the most complex judicial system of the time and research have found they were the earliest producers of life-sized Terracotta in sub-Sahara dating back to 500BC. Even though it was so early in time, when civilization hasn’t come to West Africa, Archaeologists are still marvelled at the perfection and accuracy of their works which up till this time, no one have been able to explain how that was possible. Also research into the clay used in constructing these statues showed it came from a single source still unknown to researchers to this present day. But the most shocking mystery about the NOK was their disappearance from record. Apart from their works, there isn’t a single link between the present day people of Southern kaduna with the NOK people of 200AD.
They were wiped out of history, not even reason have been found for their mysterious disappearance. The NOK civilization truly left a remarkable legacy that far surpasses any other in the history of Nigeria. Yet there are still so many unanswered questions. How were they able to make such perfect and unique Terracotta statues that have been described as “extraordinary, astonishing, ageless and almost not of this world” by archaeologists and for what purpose were this statues made? But the most mysterious question is how and why did they disappear without a trace?
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