Life on Idanre Hills

Like I said in my last post I was in for more Adventure and I decided to hike further to see the settlement of the Idanre People on the hills. It was really cool to see that people lived normal lives like a community on top of the hills in the ancient city of Ondo State.

They had houses made of mud with those of the chiefs still standing firm. On our way up, we met Chief Lorin who is one of the chiefs and whose family produces chiefs till this day. They serve as a sort of custodian. Traditionally, it is prohibited to wear cloths , shake hands and carry loads on ones head without holding it in Chief Lorin’s house.

The Idanre people had a Criminal Justice Administrative System which tried offenders in a law court established in 1906 with a prison for those found guilty to be incarcerated.

The Idanre People were also commercially inclined and had market stalls for trading.

The people of Idanre also knew the importance of education and as far back as 1896 had for themselves a primary school where knowledge was imparted, an intiative led by Rev. Gilbert Carter, a missionary.

Up next was the kings palace where I saw several art carvings, I wondered why they were all nude and had explicit genitals. I would think that had something to do with depicting fertility though.

I also saw animal bones which were remnants of animals used as sacrifices during festivals.

Last up was the Prayer ground which was a more elevated part of the hill, which I had to climb with a bit of assistance.

With all the rocks around, I suddenly thought maybe I could magically possess rock bending powers just like in avatar but oh! Well, no such thing.

Other fasinations were the Arun river which warriors drank before going to war and which serves as a sort of protection and the Mauso Lawn which is the burial site of 2 kings.

    

I saw this Art on my way out and even though I was tired and exhausted as can be seen in my eyes, I still decided to do a photo beside it.

I am African and Proud!!!