Igbo Olodumare (forest of the Almighty God), a book written by Daniel Fagunwa, is best appreciated when one visits the forest in Ondo State where the author got materials for the book, according to Special Correspondent, Julius Alabi.
A handful of local and foreign tourists visit Igbo Olodumare every year, despite its dreaded image of spirits, strange voices and a portion where rain falls every day.
Local residents want the place developed, and the state government seems to be listening.
Footpath to the forest.
Ondo State has a wide range of tourist attractions in all its 18 councils that can boost internally generated revenue (IGR). Residents believe that these God-given resources can provide economic development and improve livelihoods.
Igbo Olodumare (forest of the Almighty God), one of the tourist sites, was created in the 1960s; but for a few changes, it has not been developed. Unlike Idanre Hills.
Igbo Olodumare is an enclave laced with mystery and a visit to the place showed that it has not been given attention by the state government.
The road from Oke-Igbo town to Igbo Olodumare, a distance of about 17 kilometres, is full of potholes and ditches that stretch a journey of less than 30 minutes on a motorcycle to about two hours.
Ironically, the local residents, who are predominantly farmers, are known for their hospitability.
Snail bigger than tortoise
At the junction of a road linking Igbo Olodumare community, a notice boldly written on a wall in Yoruba reads: Eyi ni ona Igbo Olodumare, nibiti Igbin tii ju Ijapa lo (this is the way to Igbo Olodumare, a place where snail is bigger than tortoise).
From the junction off Oke-Igbo, a federal road, farm produce are put on both sides of the road waiting for evacuation but the bad condition of the road makes it difficult to transport the produce to the town and beyond.
Closer to Igbo Olodumare community, one could see far off the historical evidence embellished with mystery as the curator of the tourist centre, Olarenwaju Aje, prepared to lead TheNiche to the enclave.
The journey started on a footpath which accommodated only one person at a time. Along the way, there was a stream overgrown with weed and a small maize farm in a settlement called Ereke Onibudo (sugar cane plantation).
Head stones, mystical objects
At the main entrance to Igbo Olodumare, there are head stones which were toppled, some crumbling, some completely obscured by weeds. Aje explained the mystery forest from the palace of the traditional ruler of the community, the Ologbolusin of Olodumare.
The book, Igbo Olodumare, written by Daniel Fagunwa – which was on the reading list in primary and secondary schools in the Western Region – is best appreciated after a visit to the place from which the book takes its title.
However, the statute of Akonimeje (seven great warriors) is no more there. This is a place where the warrior or whoever wanted to climb Oke Langbodo, a tourist site in Igbo Olodumare, decides whether to go on or turn back.
Oke Langbodo has mystical objects which make local residents believe that it is inhabited by people from the spirit world.
On top of the hill is a statute of Baba Onirugbonyeuke, the spiritual head of the enclave which looks like a roundabout. Baba Onirungbonyeuke means “the man with the exceptionally long beard.” He is one of the principal characters in the book by Fagunwa.
Only the brave venture beyond here
As you climb to the top of the hill, you get to Ekun Oloju kan, from there to Ojola Ibinu (python house), to Agiju Idakeroro (silent forest), and to the starting point of Igbo Olodumare.
Only a few brave people attempt to climb the hill beyond this spot because of its slippery nature. Most stop after climbing Apata Adimula, the first step of Oke Langbodo.
Residents asked the government to construct steps on the hill like those in Idanre Hills, for climbers to get to the top.
From Apata Adimula, you get to Ogbun Anisale (endless pit). You also get to where rain falls every day. From there to Langbodo Ajule-Orun, where you hear strange voices. Finally, you get to Ajonu-Iberu tinse Onibudo Igbo-Olodumare (palace of Igbo Olodumare), and thereafter to Igbo Olodumare (the forest).
Fagunwa’s stay on the hill
According to him, Oke Langbodo was discovered by Joshua Oluwayemi over 90 years ago and Fagunwa later came to join him to write his book.
Oluwayemi told Fagunwa of the strange happenings in Oke Langbodo, especially the presence of a hunter who lived a solitary life on the hill. Their friendship, which lasted 10 years, saw them maintain a close contact with the “deity” on the hill.
“During his stay on the hill, Fagunwa was sometimes seen going to the top, probably to speak with the spirits that dwell there. Those who watched from a distance were chased away,” Aje recalled.
Mighty python
He explained that Oke Langbodo once had Ojola (mighty python) on the hill whose presence brought total darkness to the whole community, but civilisation has changed things such that the python has disappeared.
The once dreaded hill now attracts local and foreign tourists who come to see the wonderful works of nature.
Aje said if hotels and other modern facilities are provided in Igbo Olodumare the site could generate millions of naira in revenue yearly.
Government’s promise
Ondo State Information Commissioner, Kayode Akinmade, said recently at a conference organised by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) in Akure that the government is taking steps to recognise Fagunwa’s contribution to Yoruba language and African literature in general.
He promised that Igbo Olodumare will be developed as well.
Akinmade disclosed that Governor Olusegun Mimiko hosted the conference to immortalise the Fagunwa heritage and a monument would be built into the state’s larger tourism vision.
This comes at a time when Akure and other parts of the state attract tourists from all over the world.
Seeking UNESCO’s recognition
The impression given by visitors that came for the conference from many countries was positive, and it energised Mimiko.
Akinmade said Mimiko has put in place a cultural and tourism development strategy to upgrade and sponsor traditional festivals to the status of carnival as well as promote children and youth cultural programmes.
It will also involve the state’s participation in national and international cultural activities and ensure the listing of Idanre Hills as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
