The Mysterious Waters of Olumirin Falls in Erin-Ijesa
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“Upon the dip of an enormous ridge, plummets a spotless river…”
The walls of the massive rock cleft through which the water flows is rugged in verdant colours, and although in the daytime the cleft is as dark as the night, the gracious vegetal canopies jutting out above allows some sunrays to penetrate, casting a subtle but gracious blue-green tone upon the vestal showers of Olumirin Waterfalls.
The awe-inspiring falls, also known as Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls is an assemblage of seven distinct cascades located on the south western slopes of the lush Effon Ridge, in Erin-Ijesha town, Osun state.
The gigantic Ridge constitutes a conspicuous eye-catcher for every traveler along the Ilesa-Akure expressway, as it towers into the distant skyline, forming a spectacular backrest for the sleepy towns of Erin-Oke, Erin-Ijesha and Erinmo.
The people of Erin-Ijesa believe that the waterfalls exude from a big pot located at the top of the ridge. Often times, first time tourist at the waterfalls unconsciously starts to number the waterfalls from the last drop (the base of the ridge) as it is the first of all the falls to be encountered when visiting; whereas the numbering is supposed to be from the top. Nevertheless, going by layman’s standard, the seventh drop of the waterfalls is the first waterfall.
Erin-Ijesa falls2-Naijatreks.com
The first cascade plummets through a narrow opening in a cluster of luxuriant tree trunks blanketed in dark green leafage, down a steeply folded rock face of about ten meters in height. Like a rain of a million limpid pins, the showers descend and inundate s huge boulder reposed at its plunge pool below. Fallen logs of wood laid dank in the pool and out-flowing stream channel. The air hung muggy with a heavy smoke of splashed water droplets. The sight sparks the first fire of excitement that pervade the veins of any visitor at the falls. The refreshing ambience is further thickened when one ascends the steep rocks to explore the other stages of the waterfalls.
The second cascade is the most gigantic of all, with the waters diving down a 40m-high cliff. The copious plunge is most spectacular in the rainy season when the stream channel is at its flooding levels. Its plunge pool forms a shallow swimming pool for visitors at the site who are lucky and brave enough to get to the second fall.
The climb up the waterfalls is quite intimidating and arduous, as there are no steps constructed or clear paths made up the ridge slopes, except depressions and projections on the surface, as well as roots and branches of huge trees, forest climbers and shrubs along the paths, which serves as hand and foot holds for the adventurous tourist.
erin4 – First cascade of Olumirin falls (at the foothill of the ridge).
Nevertheless,the ascent of the enormous ridge is most rewarding, as one is treated to dazzling and panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape, depicting the true natural beauty of the Nigerian landmass.
Another great attraction at the waterfalls, is the Abake village, a rustic enclave located at the top of the colossal ridge. The name “Abake”, is a Yoruba word which is a combination of two other Yoruba words: “Aba” “Oke”, meaning “the village on the top”, suggesting the location , of the small village.
A tourist ascending the ridge from the waterfalls, will have to climb for about one hour before getting to Abake settlement. The village is said to be in Effon Alaaye local government, hence the villagers refer to their settlement as Effon Alaaye (Ekiti State). The village basically consists of mud houses and the main occupations are farming, gari processing (using local method), cocoa cultivation and moi moi leaf cultivation as they are found in great numbers on the ridge. The enclave suffers from inaccessibility of good roads, lack of electrical supply, poor water supply, lack of hospitals, clinics or health centers etc. Despite the indigence of the people. They are ever convivial and ecstatic to see people beat the heights of the enormous ridge in order to visit their remote enclave.
Exciting activities at Erin-Ijesha waterfalls tourist resort includes: Swimming, base jumping (new potentials), rock climbing; bird and game watching etc.
More tourist facilities such as good road, tourist chalets, electrical supply, escalators and steps up the waterfalls etc., if provided will place Olumirin Waterfalls on the pedestal of one of the choicest tourist resorts in Africa.
The waterfall is a must-visit for you and I. If you come to Nigeria and you miss the Olumirin Waterfalls, you might as well have stayed at home.