A trip to Erin Ijesha waterfall

Temi Iwalaiye

July 8, 2021 12:45 PM

Pulse speaks with Dimeji about his trip to Erin Ijesha waterfall.

Erin Ijesha waterfall

The Erin Ijesha waterfall in Osun State, Nigeria is believed to have been discovered by Akinla, the first daughter of Oduduwa.

Oduduwa is the ancestors of the Yorubas. There was a time Oduduwa was so old and feeble he could not rule the Yoruba kingdoms anymore.

A disagreement came up about the custody of the Iro, a symbol of fertility. Ayinla believing it to be hers rightfully by virtue of her position as the first daughter fled with it.

She was accompanied by her loyalists to find a new settlement.

While looking for a place to settle, Erin Ijesha was discovered. It was a magnificent waterfall with pure white water cascading.

It was named Olu Mirin meaning 'Another god'. They worshipped the waterfall.

It is believed to have some healing properties and, women looking to conceive children go there to pray to a statue of Yemoja.

The trip

I spoke with Dimeji, who went to the waterfall with his friends when he was a final year student at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

At the gate, they paid a discounted gate fee because they were a large group of 11 people.

This is what he had to say about the place and the journey up;

Dimeji and his friends at Erin Ijesha water fall Pulse Nigeria

"Well, it was an awesome experience, I mean all I wanted to do is just to have fun with friends and all, and yeah, I did have fun.

And on the place in general, it was not actually how I pictured it, I do not feel that it is well maintained. Most of the stepping to take you up is in bad shape.

It was not easy climbing up because we had drinks and some refreshments with us and trying to go up was scary.

I think the bad maintenance culture spreads everywhere in Nigeria.

The statues at the entrance are even okay sort of but those after is not something to write home about."

The Waterfall

The Waterfall is in seven layers, and you would probably have to take a hike to get up.

The first layer has a waterfall pouring out of two tree trunks. The second level is where most people like to stay. It has a waterfall that is about 40 meters long.

This is where Dimeji and his friend hung out and took pictures. He enjoyed playing in the water even though it was cold.

The water is shallow enough to stand on, you do not need to know how to swim.

The seventh layer is plain, with a settlement inhabiting it. You can lay down your picnic mat or cloth and have a picnic there. It is also scenic with a lot of trees surrounding it.

Temi Iwalaiye