Landmarks In Yoruba Land
Yorubaland has a rich cultural heritage infiltrated by its language, songs, traditional religious practices, folktales, lore, chants, and history. The heritage comes in the form of ancient places of worship, artefacts, old towns, and monuments, just to mention a few.These are some heritage sites in Yorubaland that are worth exploring.
What is the important place in Yorubaland?Historical Places To Visit In Yorubaland —The most famous landmark in the town is Olumo Rock, a hill that served as a hiding place for the Egba people during the slave-taking expeditions of the Yoruba Civil War. The town itself is named after it, as Abeokuta means “under the rock” and there are man-made stairwells that make climbing the rock relatively easy
Idanre Hills
Agboogun Footprint
Olumo Rock
Olumo Rock Steps
Old Oyo
Known as Oyo-Ile, Old Oyo is said to be the former city of Oyo, which was deserted in the 18th century after a war with Hausa/Fulani raiders. The place lies within the borders of Old Oyo National Park and on it are the ruins of buildings built by people who lived there in the past, such as the old palace compound, outer walls with ditches, and a water reservoir.
It is home to many animals and several colourful bird species. Also within the park is the famous Agbaku Cave, which served as a shelter for the ancient warriors of the Oyo-Alaafin Kingdom during times of war.
Other sites to visit in Oyo include Mapo Hall, the National Museum of National Unity and Bower’s Tower, which was erected as a memorial of Captain Robert Lister Bower, the first British Resident in Ibadan.
Idanre, Ondo
Also called Oke Idanre, the hills are about 680 steps from the bottom to the peak and are said to have nine wonders and myths like mysterious handwritings etched into the rock which has never been decoded.
Also on the hill is a magical footprint that fits any foot put in it.
The town of Idanre has other historical sites such as the first primary school built in 1896, which still stands, as well as a law court and ancient prison built in 1906 by colonialists.
The ancient town in Yorubaland – Ile Ife
Ile Ife, also known as Ife, is an ancient Yoruba city in the southwestern part of Nigeria. Ile Ife is said to be dated back around 500 B.C. when it was founded and is the oldest Yoruba city. It is presently part of Osun State and has an estimated population of 501,000 people
