Ogbunike Caves

Ikem O.
Feb 5, 2016
3 min read

The Ogbunike Caves are located in Ogbunike, Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria.

Located in a valley blanketed by tropical rain forest, the collection of caves has been in use over centuries by local people for whom it has particular spiritual significance. This spiritual significance is still apparent, as the "Ime Ogbe" celebration is undertaken every year to commemorate the discovery of the caves.

Descending into the valley where the 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. Visitors must remove their shoes before entering the caves, as per tradition. And women who are having their monthly circle cannot go in.

The main cave consists of a massive structure with a big open chamber of about 5m high, 10m wide and 30m long at the entrance. There are ten tunnels at the main chamber 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. The immediate environment of the caves up to about 200 meters radius is a thick tropical rainforest type of vegetation. The site has sufficient boundaries (20 hectares) to protect its values from direct effects of human encroachment.

Ogbunike caves are associated with living traditions and are said to have been 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 Nkissa River flows by the side of the caves into which the water that drains from the caves empties itself. At that point, is 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.

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 its type. It was formed by tectonic forces, which produced weak zones in the rock. Physiochemical and biological weathering and erosion formed the caves.

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 a crime, he is allowed to 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.

... Women in their menstrual cycle 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.