Ogbunike Caves(discovered by a hunter called ukwa) are situated in a
valley with tropical rain forest behind the "Ogba" hills in which lies
St. Monica College, Ogbunike. Descending into the valley wherethe caves
are located is a lengthy walkway made up of about 317 steps said to have
been constructed by the Anambra State Government in the mid 90s.
At the
end of the walkway is an open space used as a reception point where
visitors are by tradition to remove their shoes.
The main cave
consists of a massive structure with a big open chamber of about5m high,
10m wide and 30m long at the entrance. There are ten tunnels at the
mainchamber leading to different directions. Within the tunnels are big
chambers and other tunnels of varying lengths, some of which are inter
connected. The caves are occupied by a large colony of bats of various
sizes. There are streams and body of water at various places. A stream
flows out from one of the tunnels into a rapid flowing river (River
Nkissa). At the meeting point of the river and the stream one can feel
the warm water from the caves and the cold river water.
Beside
this portion of the river is a table land of about 5 X 5 square meters
used as a relaxation spot by visitors to the caves. Theimmediate
environment of the caves up to about 200 meters radius is a thick
tropical rainforest type of vegetation. Among the fauna of the site are
deer, antelope, grass cutter, porcupine, rabbit, alligator, snakes and
frogs. Others are fish, crabs and birds.
Satements of authenticity and/or integrity
Ogbunike caves are associated with living traditions and are said to be
used by the people for many centuries. The site still retains its
historical and spiritual significance. There is an annual festival
called "Ime Ogbe" celebrated in commemoration of the discovery of the
caves. The biodiversity of the site has remained almost in tact. The
integrity of the site can be attested to by the presence of the primary
forests around the caves. The Nkisa River flows by the side of the caves
into which the water that drains from the caves empties itself. At that
point,where the difference in temperature is felt between the river and
the water from the rock. The entire site is within ranges of undulating
hills and valleys which stretch across other communities and farmlands.
The site has sufficient boundaries (20 hectares) to protect its values
from direct effects of human encroachment.
Comparison with other similar properties
The Ogbunike caves like the ancient cave temple of Arochukwu in Abia
State of Nigeria were a symbol of justice. Ogbunike caves have
attractive waterfall at the North West part of the cave that could
compare to Kalambo falls in East Africa. The caves are believed to have
been in existence for centuries with minimal defacement. The caves
occupy a large expanse of area.
It is a place where Africans hid
from slave raiding parties during the slave trade. Sandstone caves are
rare and small. This cave is big for this type of caves. It was formed
by tectonic forces, which produced weak zones in the rock.
Physiochemical and biological weathering and erosion formed the cave.
The cave has a large bat colony.
According to Igbo oral
tradition, there was a god called Ogba who lived inside the cavein the
middle of a large rock. Despite the opaque nature of the rock, he was an
all-seeing spirit who could detect crimes, especially, theft. When
someone was accused of crime, he could prove his innocence by entering
the cave. The guilty ones never returned alive. The town is Ogbunike and
the cave is called Ogba, like the god. But the English name used by
tourists is Ogbunike cave.
Guide/info for visitors:
...don't enter the cave except by permission
...remove your foot wears and enter only with bare feet.
...menstruating ladies are not allowed into the cave
...herbal or spiritual ceremony in the cave is not allowed
...Visitors are allowed to write on the cave's walls
...you're to pay a certain amount of money to be shown/guide through the cave
...recieve receipt after payment.
...they said wild animals in the caves don't harm people.
...going through the chambers and channels is very scary but adventurious and fun.
