2026-10-09T23:33:39+00:00 Zend_Feed_Writer https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/ Nigerian Cultural Heritage https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com 2020-12-01T01:10:00+00:00 2022-07-27T03:08:58+00:00 https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/329 Andrew Devlin The Tinubu Square is one of the most popular places in Nigeria. The Tinubu square is located in the middle of the commercial centre of Lagos Island, Nigeria. The square is a high tourist attraction for Lagos State, and it also goes by the name of Independence Square, a name given to the landmark by the leaders of the First Republic. The square is two thousand square meters. The name Tinubu derives from the woman, Madam Efuntoroye Tinubu. Madam Efuntoroye Tinubu was a very wealthy woman, and some regard her as a Rockefeller of Nigeria. She started with trading tree bark, which made her a wealthy aristocrat. She then married a Nigerian king. As Madam Efuntoroye Tinubu stayed out of politics, she made a fortune in the slave trade business. She owned over three hundred slaves herself. As England outlawed slavery, Tinubu still supplied a large flow of slaves to the Americas. Eventually England sent a force to arrest Tinubu and shut down the trade of slaves out of Nigeria. Tinubu fought back the English forces in the mid 1850’s and up until her death in 1887. After the English ban of the slave trade, Madam Tinubu moved her wealth into the salt and arms trade. Madam Efuntoroye Tinubu is a symbol of the fight against colonial power of Nigerians. In the Tinubu Square there is a monument of Madam Efuntorotye Tinubu. It is believed the Madam Tinubu donated the two thousand meter piece of land that is now the Tinubu square. The square has a multitude of purposes. Tourists can relax, or they can engage in recreational activities. The first structure that was built in the square was the Court of Assizes. Eventually the court was taken down and a large water fountain was out in place. The fountain commemorates the Independence of Nigeria. The “Wings of Liberty” is a statue also dedicated to the independence of Nigeria, more specifically the state of Lagos in 1960. There is a cenotaph for Madam Efuntorotye Tinubu in the Tinubu park. It celebrates Tinubu’s impressive work of wealth and her fight against the British Empire. There is also a statue of Madam Tinubu in the square. It stands tall and is a beautiful piece of artwork that represents leadership and entrepreneurship, the two qualities that made Madam Tinubu historic in Nigeria. Another statue is of a man laying down reading a book. The title of the statue reads, “Knowledge is Power”. The statue represents how important education is. Next is a statute of a blind drummer and a dancing woman. Kokoro was a popular Saka drum player and singer. He was well known in the 1970’s by going from place to place providing entertainment for the people of Lagos Island. The Tinubu Square is a very beautiful and safe place to visit. There is a twenty four hour power supply that illuminates many lights during the night. Many police officers occupy in and around the park, along with regulating commercial activity around the square, as it is in the heart of the commercial district. Governor Ambode stated that “Lagos State government will continue to use artistic facilities such as the Tinubu Square and others to be constructed across the state to showcase our positive attractions and create a must-visit appetite for both domestic and foreign tourists”. The Lagos state officials want to preserve the rich culture for the future generations. This was a major reason as to why Tinubu Square was created. Madam Tinubu has been credited for putting Lagos on the commerce map of the world. Many tourists arrive in Lagos every year to see the Tinubu Square due to its rich connection with the culture of Nigerian History. For more (including 5 images), view the original article. 2020-11-22T19:34:50+00:00 2022-08-02T00:10:19+00:00 https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/328 Andrew Devlin The National Commission for Museums and Monuments proposed the Oban Hills in Nigeria to be declared a World Heritage Site. The proposition was submitted back in 1995. The Oban Hills are located in the Cross River National Park. The Oban Hills have many different attractions. The attractions range from animals, plants and the geography of the park. The Oban Hills terrain has a ton of varience. Hills range from one hundred meters while in other areas near the river valleys they can be as tall as one thousand meters. The Oban Hills have a large amount of plant and animal life. Many of the plants in the Oban Hills area are not well known by people and scientists. This is due to the massive amount of biodiversity in the Cross River Park. People from all over the world have been visiting the Oban Hills for that reason. On the border of the Oban Hills Division, there is another national park. The Korup National Park borders the Oban Hills. The Korup National Park is in the Republic of Cameroon. To have another large park border another park is very crucial to the preservation of the area. The Oban Hills is a biodiversity hotspot. The environment in and around the hills is very suitable for birds, and over three hundred and fifty bird species have been recorded. The Oban Hills is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests that is considered a biodiversity hotspot. There are over a dozen primate species in the park. The Xavier’s Green Bull is found in the Oban Hills, and is only found in one other area in Nigeria. The amount of snake species exceeds forty. African Forest Elephants which are considered endangered, are found in the Oban Hills. There are over seventy mammal species. The number of mammals is slowly decreasing due to the hunting of primates for their meat. Around fifteen hundred plant species have been found in the division. Along with all of the plant and animal diversity, the Oban Hills is also known to be the richest area in Africa for butterflies. Historians think that at one time there were many people living in the Oban Hills area. They also think during the slave trade, the numbers of people living in the division shrank due to its close proximity to Calabar. As many slave trading companies in Calabar took people from the interior, is it very likely that they took people from the Oban Hills. While this area of Africa is very beautiful, humans are starting to make a negative mark on the surrounding areas of the Oban Hills. Big farms consisting of oil palm, pineapple, and rubber are becoming popular in the area. These farms and plantations lead to massive illegal logging to clear areas for farms, despite legal action to protect these areas. The amount of fishing and hunting is rising every year due to farmers moving farther inland on the reserved areas. Local communities allowed hunters and farmers to gain a big amount of forest land. Around two hundred and fifty kilometers have been allowed to be farmed and hunted on. There is a lot of money to be made by the sale of the meat from Chimpanzee and Drill, as they are considered endangered. The Ekuri community set up a Forest Project that helped park officials with the management of the park. Villagers are being taught how to harvest food from the forest without damaging the ecosystem. Government officials are starting to enforce the illegal hunting and logging that occurs in the park. As one of the most biodiverse forests in Africa, it is very important to Nigerians that it is preserved. For more (including 5 images), view the original article. 2020-11-18T01:58:50+00:00 2022-08-02T00:15:47+00:00 https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/327 Andrew Devlin There are countless artifacts scattered throughout abandoned Yorubaland. Sacred Groves were created by the Yoruba. These Sacred Groves were built in every town throughout Yoruba communities. The Yoruba population numbers just under fifty million people. Over time many of these Sacred Groves were affected by the urbanization of local areas. Without continuous upkeep of the Sacred Groves, much of them are very hard to recognize. Osogbo is the capital of the Osun State. The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is located here. The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is still revered, and is the largest Sacred Grove to have survived. The last remnants of the primary high forest is found in the dense forest of the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. The grove is named after the river goddess Osun. forty shrines were built in the forest along the meandering river. These shrines included artworks and sculptures. Mostly created in the past forty years, the Osun Sacred Grove contains nine worship points, five sacred places and two palaces. The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is very different from most other groves throughout the Yoruba community. The Grove is “defended” by the goddess of entrepreneurship. Since it was built recently, it includes a large twentieth century sculpture that was built to strengthen the connection between the Yoruba pantheon and people. In the Shrine there is a stone stool that is over five hundred years old. The restoration of the grove had a major impact on the Yoruba people. The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is now the highest sacred grove for the Yoruba people. Worship in constantly taking place at this grove. A festival that occurs every year takes place at the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. This festival reconnects bonds between people of the town and the goddess. The festival lasts twelve days in July and August. The grove also has another very special role. Within the grove are around four hundred different species of plants. About two hundred of these plants are used in herbal medicine in the surrounding community. The grove is around seventy five hectares. “The sacred grove, which is now seen as a symbol of identity for all Yoruba people, is probably the last in Yoruba culture". The Yoruba folklore explains the goddess of fertility named Osun, and the story of Osun is very interesting. There was a fight between one of the wives of “Sango '' and Osun which led her to change herself into the River Osun. The deity is considered to live in the river which still makes the grove sacred. The grove is said to have been discovered by an elephant hunter. Osun then made a deal with the people which he vowed to protect the people only if they built a shrine for her and to also protect the grove. The belief in Osun and the shrine is very strong and deep within the Yoruba culture. Annually at a Osun festival, the amount of people that attend exceeds one hundred thousand. Many bring offerings and carry out sacrifices for Osun. If women were barren they would often visit the Osun shrine for blessings. The Grove was declared a national monument in 1965, and all 75 hectares are protected under the Nigerian Cultural Policy of 1988. For more (including 5 images), view the original article. 2020-11-13T01:42:40+00:00 2022-08-02T00:24:29+00:00 https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/326 Andrew Devlin The Idanre Hill is an amazing natural landscape. It is located about twenty four kilometers southwest of Akure. Akure is the capital of the Ondo State, Nigeria. For one hundred years the Idanre people have lived around the ancient Idanre Hills. The geography of the hills have played a crucial role in the Idanre community. The Idanre Hills is highly regarded on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The immense scenery the hills offer are incredible. The town of Idanre is almost totally surrounded by these massive hills, on which people of Idanre used to live. Old Oke-Idanre is the main attraction of the Idanre Hills. This is where the Idanre community originally settled. What is left behind are old mud buildings which are slowly decomposing. “Attesting to the architectural taste of the old Idanre people, the old magistrate court, the first primary school, the Oba’s palace, and the market square hold their original place and location at Odeja Village, Old Oke-Idanre.” The way the Old Idanre relocated is very interesting. The Idanre people descended from the hills and settled at the foothill of the Idanre town. The Idanre people built the current town almost identical to Old Idanre. Also, during the building of the current Idanre location, families were allowed to keep their ownership of their family household in Old Idanre. The Idanre people have a very strong tie to their culture and history. This is a major attraction that brings in tourists from all over the world. The hills are a staple in the people of Idanre. No matter where one looks, the hills are always in the vast background. Many people from around the world travel to see the hills of Idanre. Many say those who visit feel a great feeling while in the middle of the various hills. “Basically due to its perceived mystical aura and the giddy excitement lovers of nature get when they surmount the steep, daunting climb to the top, to witness a spectacular view of the new town and adjoining hills in a breath-taking manner.” There is a breathtaking view from the top of the hills as one can look down and see the town of Idanre. For many decades the plant and animal life have been studied by scientists. As one climbs up to the Old Idanre location, they have to top over six hundred and fifty steps. Every May, all the Idanre families climb the steps up to Old-Oke Idanre. The families then sleep in their old family house for a week. Many natives of the town travel from very far away to take part in this annual Orosun festival. “Bat-hunting expeditions to the largest and most dreaded and revered caves on the hills- Owa and Ojomu caves as well as spiritual cleansing of the ancient town and sacrificial offerings to Orosun- the god of the highest peak on the hills.” There are many different famous landmarks in the hills that tourists can visit. One is “The Ark of Noah’. This landmark is a wooden structure that resembles a boat. The ancient structure rests upon a flat opening on top of one of the hills. The Idanre people believe that it is the biblical account. The “Unreadable Letters of the Flood” is also a very famous landmark. The indigenous writing states “a white man cannot decipher a chicken's writing”. The most famous attraction to the hills is the Agboogun footprint. This is told to be a human footprint which is actually carved on a rock surface. The footprint was used to determine if a person was a witch. The footprint was to fit everyone's foot except those of witches. The Idanre people and location are both a very incredible feat of nature. The history of this area is rich and endless. For more (including 4 images), view the original article. 2020-11-08T17:03:16+00:00 2022-08-02T00:31:29+00:00 https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/325 Andrew Devlin The city of Arochukwu, is one of the biggest cities in the Abia State, Nigeria. The Long Juju Shrine is located in Arochukwu. This shrine is full of beauty and is known for its important history. The Long Juju Shrine was used to judge criminals for the crimes they commited. During the Atlantic slave trade era, the Long JuJu Shrine was at the height of its power. “At the height of its powers was the most powerful deity in Igboland”. The Shrine was controlled by a chief and members of the cult. This is the main oracular shrine of Ibn Ukpabi and by which stands as if on guard the cult statute of Kamalu "the warrior god". The interworking of the Shrine was very complex. The person at trial walked into the temple complex and prepared to face judgment from the god called Chukwu. The throne of judgment was located inside the Shrine complex, also known as the dark presence. If one was found guilty they would have to walk into the dark tunnels. If one was found innocent they were brought back to their relatives. The Long Juju Shrine acted as a final judgment and a supreme court. There were no appeals to the decisions made in the Shrine. As one would be found guilty, they were told to strip of their clothes as they made their way into the tunnels. The clothes of the guilty created the “hill of rags”. The Long Juju Shrine is also connected to the slave trade. As those found guilty disappeared into the dark tunnels a red color was shown in a stream of water nearby. This would show relatives that their guilty relative was killed as punishment. What would really happen was totally different. The tunnels that the guilty would walk through were a kilometer long. Instead of being killed, the guilty were led down to the end of the tunnels. At the end of the tunnels were boats waiting to take the guilty to Calabar. This is when the guilty became slaves. The Long Juju Shrine conducted its role in the slave trade during the 17th century up until the 19th century. During the British assault along and around the River Niger, the Long Juju Shrine became very important for the surrounding kingdoms. As many tribes and kingdoms fell to the British, the Shrine brought communities together. The shrine became an apex court for peoples east of the Niger river. The influence that the Shrine had on people grew very large during this time. As the Long Juju Shrine was at its peak, some members of the Shrine moved to other kingdoms and communities to the south, which grew the influence of the Long Juju. The amount of slaves being trafficked through the Long Juju Shrine was at its peak during this time. Due to the vast influence the Shrine had reached, guilty peoples from dozens of communities were brought from far lands up to the Long Juju for judgement. With huge amounts of profits coming in, the cult used this to set up satellite shrines in far communities. This brought in even more revenue due to the higher number of people that were sold as slaves. “With the Long Juju network already established, trading posts and slave quarters with satellite shrines were set up in different villages all over the region.” For more (including 3 images), view the original article. 2020-11-07T16:19:37+00:00 2022-08-02T00:52:48+00:00 https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/324 Andrew Devlin The Ogbunike Caves are some of the most beautiful historical landmarks in the Anambra State. Surrounded by a tropical rainforest, the Ogbunike Caves are a natural wonder. “The Ogbunike caves, described by geologists are millions of years old, and are the yet undiscovered cash cow of Anambra.” The caves are said to be discovered by a man named Ukwa from the Umucheke family of Ifite-Ogbukine around four thousand years ago. Legends state that the deity Ogba created the caves and still live inside of them. An important spiritual heritage within the caves dates back many years before the first Europeans made their way onto Nigerian soil. The caves's great darkness was a place of worship for many locals for hundreds of years. Many locals and indiginous peoples still arrive at the caves to pray and worship. This is due to the various phenomenons that occur in the caves. The caves are a major tourist attraction for people visiting the Anambra State, as it is becoming more popular and well known. There are actually a vast amount of caves all connected by a network of big tunnels that make up the Ogbunike Caves. The Ogbunike Caves have served various purposes over time. “In the latter months of 1968 and 1969, when hundreds of people hid in the dark to escape the perils of the Nigerian Civil War, the Ogbunike Caves presented many options.” During the time of the Atlantic slave trade the Ogbunike Caves were used by slave traders. Slave traders would hide in the caves and plan out their lucrative raids on villages in surrounding areas. In the 1990's the government created an easy access entrance to the caves consisting of over three hundred steps. The main cave in the beginning is quite large. Almost two stories high and around forty feet wide. In the main chamber there are ten tunnels all leading in different directions. Many tourists are shocked to see the massive colonies of bats that live inside the caves. The bats are harmless as they stand guard of the caves wonders. Some of the tunnels and caves also have streams of water that run through them. The River Nkissa is connected by one of the streams from the caves. The water in and around the caves is thought to be divine by spiritualists. Spiritualists also visit these caves to collect water that falls from the top of the caves. It is thought to be considered healing water. On the trip deep into the caves tunnels, at some points visitors have to crawl their way through. At one intersection of tunnels, tourists can choose to see “talking stone”. “The Indigenes call the talking stone ‘Nwanyi Akpanyi’”. The Ogbunike caves are very different than many naturally occurring underground structures and they are getting more popular as each day passes. Tourists have to be very respectful as they arrive at the caves. Rules and provisions are reviewed before entry into the caves. One major rule is that you cannot leave the caves by the same entrance you come in. The rule is highly enforced and there are no exceptions. Also all visitors need to take their shoes off upon entering the cave. Once a year the locals hold the Ogbe festival. This festival celebrates the spirits and caves. Around the caves are about two hundred meters of thick tropical rainforest. There is a large amount of wildlife surrounding the caves in the rainforest. This also adds to the beauty of the caves and area around them. In 2013, the movie series Idemili was shot at the Ogbunike caves. The UNESCO added the Ogbunike caves to their World Heritage consideration list in 2007. For more (including 5 images), view the original article. 2020-11-02T18:07:49+00:00 2022-08-04T03:49:59+00:00 https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/323 The Nigerian Cultural Heritage Team The story of this ancient and revered artifact begins with the Yoruba people. The Yoruba are an indiginous African ethnic group that number roughly fifty-five million. The area occupied by the Yoruba people, often referred to as Yorubaland, constitutes modern day Benin, Togo, Ghana, and south-western Nigeria. It is in southwest Nigeria where you will find the highest concentration of Yoruba people, roughly forty-three million. Much like the U.S., the country of Nigeria is divided into states. The town of Ile-Ife located in the Osun state, which is northwest of the capital city of Lagos, is where the Oranmiyan Staff is located. The story goes that Oludamere, the supreme god in the Yoruba religion, commanded his underling Obatala to create the earth. Unfortunately, Obtala slacked in his duty which allowed his younger brother, the god-king Oduduwa, to steal the materials needed to create the city of Ile-Ife. Oduduwa had many sons and daughters. His last son Oranmiyan is the namesake of the staff. Oranmiyan would help his father rule in the Edo empire in modern Benin. Following that venture, Oranmiyan would become the leader of the Oyo empire sometime during the late thirteenth century or early fourteenth century. This empire encapsulated southwest Nigeria and some of eastern Benin. The staff is said to have been created sometime around the year 1300 as commemoration for Oranmiyan after he died. The folk legend of how it was established is much more entertaining. The giant godking Oranmiyan had journeyed south of Ile-Ife to do battle. In his absence the city came under attack and he was forced to return to its defense. He unleashed devastation on the attackers, but he also killed his friend in the crossfire. He was so overcome by grief that he plunged his weapon into the ground and departed from Ile-Ife, never to be seen again. The staff is nearly twenty feet tall and made entirely of granite. The body of the staff is ornamented with 123 iron nails that are arranged in the shape of a trident. No one knows who arranged the nails or why they are arranged in that way. Ile-Ife as a city has a paramount importance to the Yoruba people. It is regarded as the spiritual homeland of the Yoruba and the place where all life was created. Oduduwa was the first Ooni of Ife, the guardian and leader of the city. All successive leaders of the city carry the title of Ooni. The staff itself is located in the Oranmiyan house and is guarded by the Akugan, translated as brave warrior. The house plays an important role in the succession of Oonis. Any newly appointed king of Ile Ife receives his staff of office in the grove that houses Oranmiyan’s staff. Another festival held in Ile Ife is the Olojo festival. This festival is held every October and honors Oduduwa’s first born son Ogun, the god of iron. The Ooni spends several days in isolation communing with the ancestors. The women from his family sweep the palace to cleanse it of evil spirits. After the Ooni emerges, he leads a procession to the shrine of Ogun where various rituals take place. This day of festival is very important to the Yoruba people as it is specially blessed by the supreme god Oludamere. This monument, just like any monument that commemorates a cultural icon, is a symbol of hope for its people. Whether or not the Yorubas believe the myths about its origin, the staff represents who they are and who they can be. The figures involved in the legends helped construct the societies and cultural practices that resonate to the present. The staff acts as a direct link to Oranmiyan, his siblings, and his father Oduduwa. These ancestors founded great empires that expanded and thrived for centuries. In this way, Oranmiyan’s staff is a symbol of pride; a reminder that the same blood that flowed through the veins of the great Oonis flows through every Yoruba. For more (including 2 images), view the original article. 2020-11-02T17:47:41+00:00 2022-08-04T04:05:27+00:00 https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/322 Lauren Elizabeth Pisarek The Nok Archaeological Site is located in the Nok village. It is listed as a cultural heritage site. The Nok village is governed by the local Kaduna State Nigerian government. The village is located in the Sahel region in West Africa thus, the resources allowed the Nok people to create these figurines. It is specifically located in central/northern Nigeria. The village was inhabited between 1500 BCE to 50 CE, during the Iron Age. One source claims that “Nok culture, also called Nok figurine culture, ancient Iron Age culture that existed on the Benue Plateau of Nigeria between about 500 BCE and 200 CE” (Nok Culture Britannica 2019). The Iron Age followed the Bronze Age where humans began to utilize iron to create tools and other artifacts. For other civilizations like the Greek, the Iron Age represented a time of ‘cultural decline’. It is said the villagers ‘vanished’ in 200 CE. The Nok are the earliest ancestors of modern-day Ham people. In 1928, tin miners rediscovered this ‘lost’ village. Therefore, Nok culture existed over 2000 years. Miners found life-sized terra-cotta figurines which revealed human inhabitants in the area. Another source propounds that “historians and archaeologists refer to this culture as the Nok culture because artifacts were first discovered near the modern Nigerian town of Nok” (The Nok Culture 2020). Archaeologists also found dishware, stone axes, and other forms of art work which signified much intellectual and cultural advancement. Terracotta is a brownish red color and the aftermath of firing clay. An artist must understand how to fire a piece without allowing bubbles to burst and ruin it. The Nok also utilized iron to make tools as well as cultural art. Iron is a similar color to terracotta and also requires knowledge and intelligence to use it. Iron smelting as well as sculptural art arguably began in the villages of Nok people. The smelting of iron required certain tools such as hoes, hand axes and cleavers. According to one source, “the remains of perhaps 13 iron-smelting furnaces were discovered at Taruga alone (55 km southeast of Abuja)” (Nok Culture 2019). Nok people are known for their extremely advanced social system and use of iron/clay. The Nok people advanced in farming and gardening. Archaeologists found evidence of cooked plant material such as pearl millet as well as legumes and arboreal plants. Nok farmers also produced crops such as pumpkins and sorghums. Nevertheless, this village is considered a part of the center of sculpture-tradition in the history of humankind. These terracotta sculptures are one of the earliest of its kind in human history. Some believe that the figurines could provide powers to ensure crop growth, good health, and fertility. Moreover, this art allows us to examine the intelligence and human advancements of the Nok people. During the late 1960’s, looters began to steal these terracotta figurines. The local Nigerian government took action against this damaging act against humanity. I believe that this site is important for a number of reasons. First of all, this village is arguably the first West African civilization known in West African history. These findings of sculptures made out of terra-cotta, tools, and other forms of cultural art proves that the minds and souls of the Nok people were quite advanced. Many European and colonial thinkers propound that Africa is/was never culturally or intellectually advanced. The race concept systematically attempts to disprove the intelligence of black bodies. However, evidence such as the Nok Archaeological Site proves this racist way of thinking wrong. Secondly, this site is important because it allows us to see into the minds of our earliest ancestors and their day to day realities. They perceived humanity with such beauty and lived during such an early time of human civilization. For more (including 4 images), view the original article. 2020-10-13T20:18:30+00:00 2022-08-04T04:15:22+00:00 https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/321 Daniel Gdanski<br /> Mungo Park was a Scottish explorer of West Africa. He is thought to be the first successful explorer of Africa and set a precedent for all who followed in his footsteps. Upon one of his journeys, after being attacked by Native African canoers, Park was forced to jump into the river in an attempt to escape. He never resurfaced and drowned. To honor Mungo Park, A House was built and named The Mungo Park in 1886. This house was built by the Royal Niger Company. It was built by the British who colonized Nigeria at the time. This house was the first headquarters of the Royal Niger Company and Nigeria’s first political headquarters in 1900. This house is recognized as a National Monument. It was originally built for business of Palm Kernal. It also was used by government organizations such as local and Delta State governments Orphanages, Women Development Centre, Water Board and now Monument for keeping relics and artifacts to entertain both foreigners and locals. Nowadays, you can go to this national monument and receive a tour along with visiting the art gallery that is attached to it. Numerous historians will visit this site to get a glimpse of the history of Mungo Park and European influence in Africa. The house is made from palm wood following in its horizonal and vertical patterns. Recent accounts show that it is not being maintained and is falling apart. Local officials would like to renovate the house, however, they want to keep the original ambience of the house. It serves as a very important local site. It holds fond memories for residents of the 'big heart.' It is reputed to be named after one of the founders of Asaba. It is a commercial beehive that hosts the now rested Asaba textile mills, the Grand Hotel, monuments attesting to the presence of colonial overlords in the pre independence era, and other majestic looking historical buildings. The town of Asaba rallies upon this site as it tells the history of their people and gives the town a sense of purpose. It is an important site as it, “tells the story of the inter play between Western influences and African culture, including the multiple tales of numerous conflicts, particularly that of trade and investment in pre-colonial era.” The house represents the dawn of European influence among African nations. It represents the spark of trade between European and African nations along with the European cultures that would be brought upon the African people. This European culture brought to Africa attempted to develop the nation and bring about economic prosperity. On the contrary, the house also symbolizes conflicts such as the exploitation that would later come. Europeans tried to rid of African culture, forcing the European culture upon the Native Africans. In addition, Europeans began to seize control over the African lands to abuse their resources along with cultural & religious influences. Mungo Parks' conquest paved the way for European settlements along the West Coast of Africa. These settlements first came from the Portuguese in which they began the trans-Atlantic slave trade. They took all the goods Africa had to offer and then brought slaves from Africa to the New World. Without Mungo Parks conquest, this would not have been possible. This house signifies the first European exploration of Western Africa and all that would come in the future. For more (including 5 images), view the original article. 2020-10-12T16:28:04+00:00 2022-08-04T04:39:51+00:00 https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/320 Cady Walts Exploration has always been a central part of cultural expansion. Due to its rocky shore and rough land, Africa has been neglected in terms of exploration. Although Africa has been neglected due to its rocky terrain, two brothers, John and Richard Lander gained fames from their discovery of the mouth of the Niger River. The Landers Brothers made their voyage from Bussa to Asada in the 18th century. They set sail to the western part of Africa in hopes to open communication with the people there, form a settlement in the area which had not been done before, and finally open trade between Great Britain and Africa. These brothers were the first people credited with the exploration of the inner part of the Niger River. This famous voyage was particularly important for several reasons. This voyage and exploration led to the opening of West African trade between countries, and this eventually led to the replacement of slave trade. People of this area began to trade more than people, they began to trade resources which they had in the area such as ivory and gold. These new resources were very valuable to the outside world. While trade relations of Africa in general opened and improved, the trade economy in the area of Asaba opened up as well. Along with trade, the men on the expedition had a big goal of bringing Christianity to the people of Western Africa. Due to the famous expedition and the importance of the discovery, a site has been set up in memory of the Lander Brothers, and this site is placed at their landing point. The site is located off a main road, Nnebisi Road. At the site there is an information center, restaurant, and a museum. Inside the information center there is high amounts of information on trade throughout the area, travel, and more modern day information in the tourist realm of the world. On the flip side, the museum which is in the property contain many artifacts and information on the expedition and the aftermath of the expedition. In particular, the boat that the brothers used was donated and is on display in the museum. This is considered the center point of the exhibition. At this site, there is a monument which was built in memory of the two brothers who had such an immense impact on this area. This monument is of an anchor which signifies the spot of their landing. Also on the anchorage monument, there is a cross and this is significant because it shows the spread of Christianity to the area. Also, it is important to add that there is a grave yard at the attraction as well. This grave yard is next to the anchorage monument, and the grave yard is the final resting place of various missionaries who came here in order to spread their religion to the African people. This site teaches us various things about the history of the people of this area. For instance, the small amounts of trade in the area before the landing of these brothers shows how closed off this area was to the rest of the world. Whether this was due to its rough terrain or that these people did not want to trade with outside countries, they were opened up to the world vastly after the landing of these two brothers. Also, over the years Christianity has been one of the largest religions, and it has had a foothold in many areas of the world. Since missionaries went to this area to convert the people, it shows that these people were not followers of the major religion, like European people thought that they should. For more (including 4 images), view the original article.