MYSTERIES,WONDERS OF WARRI KINGDOM ROYAL CEMENTERY
Situated on a massive expanse of land, the Warri Kingdom Royal Cemetery is one exceptional place to visit due to its nature. The royal cemetery, which is the resting place of all the kings that have ever reigned in Warri Kingdom, is a unique forest in Ijala Land.
On the trail to the various locations following a single footpath, one would expect to find tomb stones and other usual markings or landmarks to identify the various resting places, but this is not so.
Like any other forest, the usual lush vegetation with trees and plants of various kinds, coupled with the serene environment and the chirping of birds that breaks the silence to welcome tourists to this place of grandeur is the characteristics of this cemetery.
Naturally, one would wander around the forest without it leaving significant impression, but being guided by our tour guide, Mr Henry Erikowa and leading us to specific locations made the tour a memorable one.
Making our first stop at an enormous Iroko tree, our guide declared the resting place of Olu Ojoluwa, the fourth King to reign over Warri Kingdom in the year 1550 to 1569. Gazing with awe at the magnificence of this tree that is over 400years old, which was planted immediately Olu Ojoluwa was laid to mother earth as a mark of identification for his resting place, it beat our imagination as to how a tree could last that long with no sign of drying up soon.
Branching out to hold more firmly to the ground, the powerful roots that bear this enormous gift of nature leaves you wondering if it gets its continued sustenance from the royalty that lies peacefully underneath it; or from the land that has lain fallow for hundreds of years.
This also goes for all the other 17 trees standing over the graves of the other kings that ruled over the Warri kingdom, from Olu Ginuwa I that died in 1500 to Olu Erejuwa II who died in 1986.
This is evident that the culture of tree planting, which is being practiced and popularised all over the world, did not begin today. Although not for the same reasons, the culture of ‘preservation’ might as well be said to have begun with the Kingdom of Warri.
Taking various shapes and sizes, these trees stand impressively across this forest. What differentiate them from other normal trees are placards nailed to them, bearing the name and dates of ruler ship of each king that lies underneath them.
Being a revered land, people were not allowed to trespass, but with the review by the Warri Kingdom Royal Council, the place has become open to tourists in order to share the rich cultural heritage of the kingdom.
Presently, a restoration process has begun in order to transform it into a world class tourist destination and every necessary support and contribution is being solicited by the Warri Kingdom to make it a dream come true.
Ijala land has played a great role in the lives of the people of Warri Kingdom. It is not just a cemetery for the kings of Warri, but has also played a background role in the history of the Warri Kingdom, which would be featured in subsequent publication.
On the trail to the various locations following a single footpath, one would expect to find tomb stones and other usual markings or landmarks to identify the various resting places, but this is not so.
Like any other forest, the usual lush vegetation with trees and plants of various kinds, coupled with the serene environment and the chirping of birds that breaks the silence to welcome tourists to this place of grandeur is the characteristics of this cemetery.
Naturally, one would wander around the forest without it leaving significant impression, but being guided by our tour guide, Mr Henry Erikowa and leading us to specific locations made the tour a memorable one.
Making our first stop at an enormous Iroko tree, our guide declared the resting place of Olu Ojoluwa, the fourth King to reign over Warri Kingdom in the year 1550 to 1569. Gazing with awe at the magnificence of this tree that is over 400years old, which was planted immediately Olu Ojoluwa was laid to mother earth as a mark of identification for his resting place, it beat our imagination as to how a tree could last that long with no sign of drying up soon.
Branching out to hold more firmly to the ground, the powerful roots that bear this enormous gift of nature leaves you wondering if it gets its continued sustenance from the royalty that lies peacefully underneath it; or from the land that has lain fallow for hundreds of years.
This also goes for all the other 17 trees standing over the graves of the other kings that ruled over the Warri kingdom, from Olu Ginuwa I that died in 1500 to Olu Erejuwa II who died in 1986.
This is evident that the culture of tree planting, which is being practiced and popularised all over the world, did not begin today. Although not for the same reasons, the culture of ‘preservation’ might as well be said to have begun with the Kingdom of Warri.
Taking various shapes and sizes, these trees stand impressively across this forest. What differentiate them from other normal trees are placards nailed to them, bearing the name and dates of ruler ship of each king that lies underneath them.
Being a revered land, people were not allowed to trespass, but with the review by the Warri Kingdom Royal Council, the place has become open to tourists in order to share the rich cultural heritage of the kingdom.
Presently, a restoration process has begun in order to transform it into a world class tourist destination and every necessary support and contribution is being solicited by the Warri Kingdom to make it a dream come true.
Ijala land has played a great role in the lives of the people of Warri Kingdom. It is not just a cemetery for the kings of Warri, but has also played a background role in the history of the Warri Kingdom, which would be featured in subsequent publication.
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