#AdventureTravel – Olumo Rock

Olumo Rock

Hey Guys!!!

I am really embarrassed saying this but I am from Ogun State, I schooled in Ogun State for 5 years (Covenant University) and this trip was my very first time visiting Olumo Rock. I follow @UnravellingNigeria on Instagram and she had planned a tour to Olumo Rock, I happily paid for the tour not knowing anyone in the bus. I was a bit skecptical at first but I had fun and I managed to cross something off my list (Rock-Climbing). I may still add it back if I ever have the opportunity to travel out of Nigeria.

DSC_0259 DSC_0263

DSC_0264 DSC_0266 DSC_0269DSC_0279

To be honest, I am not exactly sure how long the journey took us or if we even encountered traffic on the way because I was asleep through out the journey.

DSC_0275
A View of the Rock and its elevator from the gate

Lemme give you a lil back story on Olumo Rock and Abeokuta.

DSC_0274

Abeokuta  (Abẹ okuta) which means “Under the rock” is also known as the Egbaland and is the capital of Ogun State. Olumo means “God molded it” and “God has put an end to our travail and unrest”.

DSC_0276

“Abeokuta was originally inhabited by the Egba people. People who found refuge at the Olumo rock during inter-tribal wars in the 19th century. The rock provided sanctuary to the people as well as a vantage point to monitor the enemy’s advance leading to eventual triumph in war.” – Wikipedia

DSC_0281

DSC_0282

It was said that the the spring water that  flows out near the crown tree and all the way down the rock base was medicinal. About 50 years ago, the water stopped flowing till date and no knows why.

DSC_0283

The site has various Art galleries (we were not allowed to take pictures inside the Gallery due to copyright thingy) and a restaurant.

DSC_0285
The tour guide

 

DSC_0288
The entrance to the second gallery

 

DSC_0289
The entrance to the first gallery

 

DSC_0292
Our rock climbing begins

If you dont want to go through the stress of rock climbing (not sure why you would come tho), then there is an elevator which takes to various points on the rock. It costs about N1500 for the trip, but there was no light the day we came and so we couldn’t use it.

DSC_0290 DSC_0294 DSC_0295

DSC_0299
The view of the city from the first point of the Rock.
DSC_0309
When everyone still had energy

 

DSC_0315
A cave which was built as a safe room for the Egba Warriors.

The cave is now used as an Olumo deity shrine hence the blood and chicken feathers on the door. It is said that during the Ogun Festival (5th August), sacrifices are made at the shrine to appease the gods.

DSC_0320

It is said that Medicinal Water used to flow form the Olumo Rock and can be used in curing all aliments.

DSC_0319
A tree growing on the rock

 

 

DSC_0321
Chief Sonni Osi-Toko

Underneath the rock is the tombstone of Chief Sonni Osi-Toko who died on the 23rd January 1956.

DSC_0333
Shrine underneath the rock

Moving on, we came across another where the priestess stays.

DSC_0332
Leaf used in the coronation of the Alake of Egba Kingdom

It is said that the leaves of this tree is used in the coronation of Kings but that this particular that of this particular tree can only be used in the coronation of the Alake of Egbaland.

DSC_0331

DSC_0330
One of the priestess
DSC_0323
Egba War Time Hide-Out

 

 

The rooms underneath the rock where the Egba people hid during the war. There were various rooms underneath the rock. “The Egba people built mud walls and pillars across the entrance of the caves to form the perfect dwelling places.” – NaijaTreks

DSC_0325

DSC_0326

DSC_0327
The hollows used in pounding their food

 

DSC_0328

DSC_0343
The heads represent Egba warriors

The standing heads representing the warriors who survived the war, while the other heads represent the warriors who did not survive the war.

 

DSC_0335
Oshe Tree at Obaluaye Garden

The bark of this tree is boiled and used to bathe prematured children. If the water touches the head of the child, it is said that the head of the child would be very big.

DSC_0338

The tree produces some fruits which has a milky substance inside it, hence the milky substance on the tree.

DSC_0351
The real rock climbing begins

 

DSC_0353

DSC_0358

DSC_0381

DSC_0386
Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta

DSC_0395

DSC_0404DSC_0405

DSC_0406

 

DSC_0392

DSC_0366
NTA Mast on Egunya Hill

DSC_0393

DSC_0302
Central Mosque

DSC_0396

DSC_0389 DSC_0388 DSC_0387DSC_0398

DSC_0414
Lunch
DSC_0415
Healthy drink

 

11 Replies to “#AdventureTravel – Olumo Rock”

  1. Nice pictures Sim….. Need to get me some rock climbing experience soon…….. #ThumbsUp

    You went without me tho *hmmmmm*

    1. Hey, @UnravellingNigeria is organizing a trip to Idanre Hills next month.

  2. I love these pictures. I’ve been dying to go on one of these tour trips across Nigeria. There’s so much beauty right in out backyard! Now, I must visit Olumo Rock before the year runs out

    http://tobiadegbemi.com/

    1. Thank you! Since dollar ti wan, I decided to visit Nigeria instead.

  3. […] Nigeria (remember the Olumo Rock Trip here) was organizing a weekend to Idanre Town (Idanre Hills) included. Although, I couldn’t go for […]

  4. […] visited Olumo Rock in March here and Amarachi of Chapter One shared her experience at Idanre Hills with us here in April. I would […]

  5. […] Read my experience at Olumo Rock – Olumo Rock | Adventure Travels […]

  6. […] P.S. You can read about my experience at Olumo Rock here. […]

  7. […] I went hiking on yet another mountain with @UnravellingNigeria from my first trip to Olumo Rock here. This time was to a town known as Ado-Awaye not too far from Iseyin in Oyo State. We also visited […]

  8. […] Rock – Yes I know I went there twice last year. Read my experience here. However, I am more interested in the Itoku Market, Alake’s Palace and Abeokuta […]

  9. […] Read about my experience here. […]

Leave a Reply