THE CRYPTIC IJALA, OGIAMES’ RESTING PLACE

THE JOURNEY TO THE CRYPTIC IJALA, OGIAMES’ RESTING PLACE

 

 

Mysterious

 

Like the past17 or so Olus before him, Ogiame Atuwatse II’s final resting place is likely to be the eerie Royal Cemetery sited in Ijala, a sleepy town entrenched between creeks in Warri South LGA. The rustic community can be accessed through the Ubeji/Ifie road or by boat through the Warri river and snaky creeks.

During out visit in search of the resting place of the Olus, were were told by various sources that although there is a road leading to the site, the remains of the late monarch would most likely be brought in through the Ginuwa Creek, which flows into the Warri River.

The murky creek is covered by water hyacinth and other sea weeds and at the time of our visit, there was no sign of any major event taking place in the area. Residents of the area went about their businesses as if oblivious of the significant role Ijaw would play in the days ahead.

“Nobody can tell you exactly when the Olu would be buried, how or if he has already being buried. The last Olu was brought in by canoe, maybe because there was no good road back then.  I think it is the tradition for our monarchs to come to their final resting place by boat.

“Again, cars coming into the area at night might arouse suspicion but doing so by canoe is stealthier and less likely to raise attention,” one of the aged inhabitants of Ifie-Kporo told our reporter on condition of anonymity.

 

 The first impression of the Olus’ resting place was that of an abandonment natural treasure. There is an organized disorderliness around the thick forest surrounding the royal cemetery; the forest is dense and fertile, but it untilled. The multi-acre expanse of land is covered by verdure vegetation, very tall palm trees and other ageless trees, which accentuate the aura of mystery around it.

Two guides who accompanied our reporter and two others on the mission boasted that the groove is guarded by spirits and ghosts of past ancestors. There are paths around the wide expanse of land, but there is no visible path into its interior.

Residential houses on the east north and west boundaries were demolished by the state government. Rather than fence and beautify the cemetery as was planned, the site has been abandoned, much to the chagrin of the aggrieved landlords, who lost multimillion naira property to the demolition.

While warning that our reporter that he would be entering the sacred groove at his own risk, the two young men warned that they would not be part of any action that desecrates the sacred land.

Pointing to a very old, very big tree (Egungun in Itsekiri) with several hunches, one of the guides remarked: “That is the grave of the first Olu (Ginuwa I), who left the ancient Benin Kingdom in the 1950s.”

He said the graves of past Olus are bit unmarked by any remarkable objects, but trees are planted over them. “The sizes and age of the trees can tell you how old the grave is, but if you go by boat, you can actually see names etched on the trees.”

The guides would not allow our reporter to get close enough to ascertain the various monarchs, because “You have to perform some sacrifices, before you can pass through the uton (creek). If you don’t perform them, anything you see make you take (accept your fate).”

On the way out after, over one hour traipse round the forest, the myth of a supernatural power was reinforced when a swarm of bees suddenly swooped on the team.

The two guides muttering supplications in Itsekiri swiftly fell on their faces; this reporter, working on information picked up years ago that bees would not sting if they don’t see your faces, did the same thing with two other friends in the company.

The bees flew lower, lingered for about a minute that seemed like eternity, and then went away.

“That was just a warning,” Thomas (not his real name), one of the local escort, said in a voice that brooded no argument.

“If not because we are indigenes of this place and because you came here with good intention, it would have been disastrous,” his counterpart added emphatically.