With Okorie Uguru
okorieuguru@gmail.com
The Ikere-Ekiti rocky hills are part of the range of rolling hills that enfold Ekiti State. Right at the top of these hills are the Ugele caves.
From Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, to Ikere-Ekiti is about 15 to 20 kilometres, through the Ado-Ikere road. It is also a journey of about 20 to 30 minutes on a traffic free road. The foot of the hill leading to Ugele caves is just a few metres from the main road.
According to the oral tradition of Ikere-Ekiti people, their forefathers, who were the early settlers, were hunters who migrated from Ile-Ife. They settled in Ikere-Ekiti over 500 years ago.
These early settlers used the natural caves of Ugele with its different chambers as secure hideout and fortress when protecting themselves from invaders and other tribal conflict.
Speaking further on this, High Chief Lawrence Awe, the Olotin of Oke-Ikere Ekiti and traditional custodian of the caves, said: “The cave was once inhabited by early settlers—hunters who migrated from Ile-Ife over 500 years ago. They lived in the cave and used it as a refuge during times of war because of its hidden, secure structure. The cave also derives its name from “Oloko,” a hyena believed to have once lived within the shelter.”
Scientific research has further established the site’s historical importance. Archaeological research led by Professor Raphael Ajayi Alabi, former Head of Department (HOD) of the Archaeology Department at the University of Ibadan, uncovered pottery fragments, stone tools, and metal objects, indicating long-term human activity. A radiocarbon date of 620 to 660 years before present (around A.D. 1310) confirms that the cave was occupied during the Late Stone Age, with continued use in later periods.
With the advent of modernity, in which inter-community invasions and wars are rare, the Ugele carves evolved to become a kind of sacred caves where the people of Ikere pay annual religious pilgrimage. The climbing of the hills and visit to the cave was done once in a year.
However, with the potential of the caves as a veritable tourism site, and the efforts of the Ekiti State government to develop its tourism assets, the Ekiti State Tourism Bureau in collaboration with the traditional council of Ikere-Ekiti decided to open up the caves to develop them into a tourist site for visitors.
Also, the Ekiti State deputy governor, Princess Monisade Afuye, who is an indigene of Ikere Ekiti, also added her voice to open the caves for touristic purposes. Giving her reason, the deputy governor said: “We are blessed to have the Ugele caves. Tourism has become a major economic activity to empower the people. So we are queuing into it.”
Former National Assembly member representing Ekiti Central in the Red Chamber, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, having climbed the Ugele hills to the cave, has this to say: “This is magnificent. It is awesome. I thank God that I am alive when this place is being developed.”
The Ugele caves have their own allure and peculiarity that could be woven into a major tourist asset for Ekiti State.
First is its prime location. The foot of the hill is easily accessible being just a few metres from the main Ado-Ikere Road.
However, from the foot of the hills, climbing up to the caves is an experience. The caveat is that it is not for the old and unfit. The path to the cave is tricky with its own exciting discomfort. For the unfit, like this writer, it leaves the heart panting for breath. However, an occasional stop, and a refreshment of a bottle of water is advised.
The Ugele cave is a labyrinth with an outer court from where one could make one’s way to different apartments and rooms within the caves. It is easy for one to get lost and head to other parts of the caves.
Unlike some caves with no ventilation, nature has built Ugele in such a way that the caves are roomy with ample head room, and different openings where air circulate within the caves. It is easy to understand why it became a refuge for the early people that inhabited Ikere-Ekiti.
Ugele has prospects. Creative resort designers could design stylish natural rooms into the caves to give the caves an authentic distinct feel. The caves can host and house up to 100 persons for picnics and other recreational activities.
The push to develop Ugele caves into a major tourist attraction by the Oyebanji administration is being spearheaded by Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre with the support of the state governor.
Ojo-Lanre spoke about the uniqueness of the cave and why the Ekiti State government is interested in developing the site: “This is the best rock shelter settlement in Nigeria. I don’t want to compare, but I want to tell you about the uniqueness of this place. First, in this place, you can do anything here: hold a meeting, sleep and relax. The apartments are full of many rooms; number one is the sitting room. Have you seen the large hall? Also the room and parlour, the long walk way?” Asked to compare the Ugele caves to the more popular cave in Olumo rock, Ojo-Lanre said: “I am not comparing but I believe it is the best.”
Outside touristic visits, the Ugele hills and caves have also become an attraction for Ekiti Hikers who also throng the ancient caves and hills annually to hike and exercise. This has further exposed Ekiti as a destination for ecotourism and sports tourism.
Being a heritage site where ancient inhabitants once dwell is also an added incentive to visit the caves.
For those seeking something out of the ordinary, and to strike out from the usual tourist sites, visiting the Ugele caves might not be a bad idea.
However, for accommodation, tourists could stay in hotels at Ado Ekiti and visit the Ugele caves from there.
The post Ekiti’s Ugele caves: Offering unbridled natural excitement appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.