Abeokuta

Abeokuta

Abeokuta is the capital of Ogun State, in the southwestern region of Nigeria. It was once a walled town and relics of the old wall still exist. Abeokuta was founded in about 1830 by Sodeke, a hunter and leader of the Egba refugees who fled from the disintegrating Oyo empire. The town was also settled by missionaries in the 1840s and by the Sierra Leone Creoles, who later became prominent as missionaries and businessmen.

Abeokuta's success as the capital of the Egbas stems from it's success in different wars which it won during the 1800s. Warriors sought refuge under the Olumo rock hence the name Abeokuta (refuge under rocks). South of the town are the Aro granite quarries, which provide building materials for much of southern Nigeria, and a huge, modern cement plant at Ewekoro.

Ilaro - Is a neigbouring town where the Egbados settled. The Egbados are another subgroup of Yorubas who sought independence after feeling oppressed under Egba rule. European missionaries who arrived there in the 1860s established the Yoruba Anglican Mission in Ilaro.

Olumo Rock

Most prominent in the town of Abeokuta is the Olumo Rock, a massive outcrop of granite rocks of primitive formation. The name "OLUMO" was derived from the rock being naturally surrounded with caves, which offered protection to the Egbas long ago during the period of inter-tribal wars. The caves beneath the huge granite rock provided a hiding place and one of protection hence the name of city Abeokuta (meaning under the rock). To the Egbas, the Olumo Rock stands not only as a monument of faith in unity but also as a source of national strength, unfailing protection and sustenance from the Supreme Being.

Alake's Palace

The official residence of the Alake of Egbaland (the traditional ruler) was built in 1854. It is famous for housing numerous and notable antiquities and relics.

Historical/Noteworthy Structures

Abiola Stadium

(built and named after the late Chief MKO Abiola. The presidential nominee who's results were cancelled in 1994)

Akin-Olugbade Social Centre

Centinary Hall (built in 1930)

Governor's Office

Ogun State Parliament Building

St. Peter's Cathedral

Trade Centre

Attractions

Adire (Cloth Dyeing) Markets, Itoko

Birikisu Sungbo Shrine

Mat making Markets

Management Trainee Centre, Ogere

Obute-Oni Tourist Beach

Ogun River

Ogunde Theatre Centre

Festival(s)

Oro Festival

The oro cult festival takes place once a year for a period of 2 weeks usually between July and August. Cult members sometimes perform on outside the festive period to either offer sacrifices to ancestral spirits on the "oju oori" (the burial ground of the founders of the community) or to correct security problems in the land by helping the elders control the people's movement.

An announcement stating that the oro has taken over the land is made whenever the oro comes out to enforce the curfew that is dictated by tradition. Curfew is proclaimed when the Oro is out according to the dictates of tradition, and women and children are forbidden to come out. Only grown up males can come out. Women are especially forbidden from seeing or knowing about the oro, and the practice is that they must cover their heads and those of their female children. A grave penalty awaits any woman who fails to respect the curfew.

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