Ogbunike Cave: A wonder in the heart of Anambra

January 2, 2020 10:23 AM

And as a sign of devotion to the spirituality of the cave, an annual celebration is undertaken to commemorate the discovery of the cave.

Ogbunike Cave: A wonder in the heart of Anambra. [traveldigest]

Ogbunike Cave will always remain a wonder to the mind that beholds it.

Nobody can tell precisely how long Ogbunike Caves have been in existence. What is known is that the cave was discovered by a hunter centuries ago.

Located in Ogbunike, Anambra state; Ogbunike cave is a collection of caves that have been in use for hundreds of years for the local people living in the vicinity of the cave.

To these ones and many others, Ogbunike Caves has a spiritual significance. And as a sign of devotion to the spirituality of the cave, an annual celebration is undertaken to commemorate the discovery of the cave.

This celebration is known as "Ime Ogba".

Ogbunike Cave is sited in a valley area. And in other to find ones way to the cave with ease, the Anambra State Government, in the 90s, constructed a lengthy walkway made up of about three hundred and seventeen steps.

Traditionally, it is a must for visitors to remove their shoes before entering the cave. Also, women who are having their monthly cycle are not allowed to enter the cave.

At the entrance of the main cave, there is a massive structure with a big open chamber of about 5m high, 10m wide and 30m long.

And there are ten tunnels at the main chamber leading to different directions. Within the tunnels are big chambers and other tunnels of varying lengths, some of which are interconnected.

Strangely, the caves are occupied by a large colony of bats of various sizes.

Ogbunike Caves is not for the faint of heart

There are also streams and body of water at various places. A stream flows out from one of the tunnels into a rapidly flowing river (River Nkissa).

Interestingly, the meeting point of the river and the stream carries both warmth and cold. And tourist can feel the can feel the warm water from the caves and the cold river water.

There is a tableland of about 5 X 5 square meters that is used by visitors as a relaxation spot, besides the portion of the river.

The immediate environment of the caves up to about 200 meters radius is a thick tropical rainforest type of vegetation.

And owing to this, it is believed that the site has sufficient boundaries (20 hectares) to protect its values from direct effects of human encroachment.

It is this undisturbed quietness, coupled with the mystic nature of the cave, that gives tourists a feel of having a glimpse into another world at the proximity of the cave.

Like the likes of Idanre Hills, Ogbunike Cave is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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