Seeker of Mysteries: A Journey of Twenty Years from Benin-City to Ijebu Ode in Search of Sacred Space : Part 2
Oluwatoyin Adepoju
Arboreal sonorities, music of trees, in Itoro sacred grounds, Ijebu-Ode
Picture of tree hollow by myself
Abstract
An exploration of sacred spaces, within an autobiographical context, in Ijebu-Ode, particularly those of the classical African spirituality of the Yoruba, in relation to Islam and Christianity in Ijebu-Ode and pre-Christian nature spirituality in England.
I needed a break from work and chose to visit Ijebu-Ode, a relatively short drive from Lagos. I wanted to explore a magnificent grove on the way between Lagos and Ijebu-Ode which I saw on my way back to Lagos through that city on a previous trip.
Image Above
Notice atop the car I used to Ijebu-Ode at Ojota motor park. Picture by myself.
Eventually, I did not see the grove until my return to Lagos in the evening, having spent the day in Ijebu Ode. I took note of the landmarks that will enable me locate the place again when I return.
What did I gain from Ijebu-Ode, though I did not see the grove I travelled to explore, until after I had left the city?
I observed the defeat of the faith of my ancestors and was provoked to reflect on how to reverse this defeat.
Mosques everywhere. Churches everywhere. Large mosques. Medium sized mosques. Even a mosque composed of an uncompleted, unroofed , unfurnished and unplastered building. Islamic academies. Quranic texts in Arabic and English, along with various Islamic prayer paraphernalia, for sale in front of the huge central mosque.
Images Above
Pictures by myself of the grandeur of the central mosque in Ijebu-Ode. The bottom picture shows a banner from the Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode and the Ijebu-Ode Muslim community congratulating Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the king of Ijebu Ode, on the 64th anniversary of his coronation and his 90th birthday.