Prior to the period of the Biafran/Nigeria Civil war, the Igbos have reveled and blasted in their cultural heritage, which also accounts for their religious and historical aspect.
Tourist attractions have the ability to attract worldwide attention which transcends from not only setting up a physical edifice but also embodies structures or places if natural and physical value.
They depict historical significance and outstanding beauty capable of owning and amusing the public; the physical evidence if genius architectural designs and brain work, coupled with the mysterious dynamism of natural ingenuity make then the go-to place of a memorable tourism experience.
In this post, We talk about 7 historic places in South East, Nigeria that you need know.
The history of the Long Juju Shrine of Arochukwu
Arochukwu is the third largest town in Abia State (after Aba and umuahia) in Southeast Nigeria and is a famous tourist destination as the cave of the famous long juju oracle is a particular attraction. It is originally, a religious centre with well-laid down administrative structure headed by Chief priest. The cave is believed to hold the metal pipe through which the gods speak to the people, and was used to judge the perpetrators of crimes in the old time.
The history of Mbari Cultural Centre
Mari is a traditional arts and crafts center retained by the Imo State council for Arts and culture Situated at ikenegbu in Central Perri, Mari, it is an open air museum that houses monumental arts depicting the culture, tradition and history of the Igbo people. Sometimes referred to as the ‘house of gods’, it is a huge tourist attraction. Although Mbari is a monumental art sacrifice to “ALA” the earth goodness, it also shelters artistic representations -artefacts as well as sculptures-which tell of the prevalent social life of the Inbox and images of other prominent deities that inhabit the traditional igbo cosmic system.
There are also images of Ikoro, the Igbo traditional instrument for communicating messages; unfamiliar creatures such as the ostrich (Enyi Nnunu); a allegedly a certain tall figure representing Alakuko, allegedly the tallest man in Igboland; ‘Onye afo toro’, a man whose stomach became bloated because he committed an abomination against Ala, etc contrary to general assumption, Mbari Cultural center is neither a centre for idol worship nor an idol in itself. It is an art form that has its origin very deep in Igbo cultural and religious beliefs and practices. The Mbari cultural centre is a three dimensional cultural facility, made up of the Mbari House, Mbari museum kitchen and an amphitheatre, and definitely a must-see location.
The History of lgbo-Ukwu Museum
The Igbo-Ukwu museum is in Ngo village, Igbo-ukwu, Anambara state. The town, Igbo-Ukwu is of great historical and cultural significance in Igbo land as it is notable for bronze artifacts from a very sophisticated bronze metal-working culture centuries before other known bronzes of the region. It is in recognition of this that the Federal Government in Nigeria granted approval for the hosting of an annual National New Yam Festival in Igbo- Ukwu to promote the culture and tradition of Ndigbo and new yam festival. The festival takes place at National Yam House built by the Federal Government in Igbo- Ukwu since 2005.
The Igbo-Ukwu bronze treasures were accidentally discovered by a worker who was hired to dig a cistern by Mr. Isaiah Anozie during dry season in 1939. Subsequent archaeological excavations of the area led by Professor Thurstan Shaw led to the discovery of other sites, making a total of three sites: Igbo Isaiah (a shrine), Igbo Richard (a burial chamber), and Igbo Jonah (a cache). Among the recovered object include a ritual Pottery Vessel, Scabbard, Pendant with rams head, Human face with scarification, Bronze bowl and a pear -shaped bowl. lgbo-Ukwu Museum has remained an attraction to tourists mostly because of its bronze artifacts.It is great place to visit as the bronze pieces are a sight to behold.
The Ogbunike Cave is a major tourist site in Eastern Nigeria situated in a valley behind the Ogba Hills, Anambra State. the cave consists of a network of sandstone chambers and tunnels, and is regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest geographical masterpiece. Cocooned in a valley with tropical rain forest and buffered by 20 hectares of lush vegetation, the caves are occupied by colonies of bats while the surrounding rainforest is home to antelopes, deers, alligators, porcupines and snakes. The collection of caves has been in use over centuries by local people for whom it has particular spiritual significance.
Descending into the valley where the caves are located is a lengthy walkway made up of about 317 steps. The caves consist of 10 tunnels and a main chamber which snake their way underneath the hillside. The tunnels are filled with streams and small pools, and within the tunnels are big chambers as well as other tunnels of varying lengths, some of which are inter connected. A stream flows out from one of the tunnels into a rapid flowing river (River Nkissa). The “Ime Ogbe” celebration is undertaken every year to commemorate the discovery of the caves. Local history records that Ogbunike’s ancestors hid from raiding slave traders in the caves. The site has sufficient boundaries to protect its values from direct effects of human encroachment. The Ogbunike Cave is certainly a place anyone would want to visit and explore. Tradition demands that visitors remove their shoes before entering the caves, and women who are having their monthly circle cannot go in. It is however advisable that visitors bring a torch and light water proof covering.
The History of Mungo Park House
Mungo Park House, also known as National Museum Asaba, is tucked behind the Delta State High Court and the state Library Board complex along Nnebisi Road, Asaba, Delta state Nigeria. Although named after Mungo Park, the man who discovered River Niger, the prominent colonial vestige of pre-fabricated wooden storey building was never owned or visited by Mungo Park. The house was constructed by the Royal Niger Company (RNC) in 1886 and served as the first British administrative headquarters in the country and invariably the first government house in Nigeria. The Mungo Park House offers education on Nigeria’s rich historical background (mainly that of trade and investment in pre-colonial era) and journey to civilization. Although some parts of the building are slowly dilapidating due to the elements (weather corrosion), it is definitely a place to visit. The museum is also just a few blocks from the popular Grand Hotel, Asaba.
The History of Awhum Waterfall & Cave
Located at Amaugwe village of Awhum town in Udi Local Government Area, the Awhum waterfall and Cave is as a popular tourist site in Enugu, Nigeria. A result of a titanic outcrop of granite rock with water tumbling from the top to form a stream, the waterfall is beautiful at any time of the year. While a section of the waterfall is always warm through the season, the water is said to be therapeutic (have healing power) and capable of vanquishing evil or satanic forces if and wherever sprinkled. Awhum waterfall is 30 metres high and is located close to Awhum Monastery
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