10/10/2020
Idere is very rich in tourism generally. Cultural & historical ranging from her food, dialect, religion, music, man-made wonders, festivals, hills, Valleys, mountains, caves, lakes of different sizes, wonderful rock formations, Eco System and so on
The major Tourist Sites that has a good number of Historical collections is IDERE HILLS.
Overview of Idere Hills :
It is situated in Idere town in Ibarapa Central Local Government of Oyo State. It was once a settlement with an advantage of protection from intruders especially during wars as there are only few entry points to the town on the rock. Two kings (obas) reigned there before relocating the township to the foothill and other places called Idere today. Part of Idere Hills is being used for farming - cocoa, cassava, tomatoes etc but the whole terrain is being planned to become world class tourism and recreational center.
Some of the sites and their historical significances;
Aroye - meaning 'we can see and understand'. It is a three layered rock formation. It is a post/office for the secret police/spy. Areas in front of 'Yara' can easily be seen and findings communicated to the guards and palace for coordination.
Yara - Yara means room in Yoruba language. It is the real main gate to the town on the hills proper. The walls on either side is rocky and approximately about 40ft in length, 18ft in height, and about 6ft apart. It served the trio purpose of security gate with inlet and outlet, room or office for the guards, and the top to the right (Iho Eja) for the snipers.
Eeyore - is the natural water pool on Idere hills. It is a big indentation with water storage capacity of approximately over 12,000L which is sufficient to support the community then even during the dry season. Its water is majorly for household and agricultural purposes.
Olorogun meji - two small lakes believed to have been formed by two female rivals, wives to a particular husband and are both mystical.
Odi Ilu - defense wall, specially formulated and constructed, it has holes for sighting and shooting. It has what with stood wind, sun, rain for over 200 years. It is one of the major relics on Idere hills.
Kosomonu - an area on Idere hills, about the tallest place. From here the whole township can be viewed. Kosomonu means, ' he does not lose the child' - if somebody is lost, instead of running aimlessly around, they go to Kosomonu section of the hills, locate the child and send to fetch the child. It has a tunnel that also serves as a hideout - narrower and longer than 'Yara'.
Iso Eleko Idere - the spot at which the famed Eleko Idere of Irosun meji in IFA panegyrics sold her pap on Idere hills. Idere is undoubtedly an ancient town in Yoruba land, Southwest, Nigeria.
Isoku-Iruku - a place where you have to put the co**se down before you carry it again. While and after coming down from the hills, a section of Idere hill is designated for burial of members of the royal family. While taking the co**se up there, they get to this place where they have to put the co**se down, climb a step and carry the co**se again otherwise the co**se can't be carried comfortably. It becomes a place of rite or ritual during princes and princesses burial.
Ape tree - one of the oldest trees within the township. It was met when the town was founded and is at the then new community entrance now Saaro's compound. It is estimated to be over 300 years.
Idopa - Idopa in Yoruba language means 'where walking stick and staff are submitted' by chiefs, baales and lesser obas that came visiting as Onidere is a strong royalty.
Aafin ( palace) - there are two places that served as palaces. The structures are caves. They serve as both abode and office for the king ( oba).
Iho Eja/Omi Eja - this is a hole on the rock to the right side of Yara that looks like a fish indentation into the rock. Its water is meant for commercial laundry and other forms especially during the dry season.
Oja - market, it was an open space where people bring their wares - farm produces, food products etc. Eleko Idere was once one of the traders in this market.
Atapa water springs - this is actually a spring at Atapa hill on the Idere hills. It never dries, though not much but always there. It served as drinkable water for the whole community. It is also said to be medicinal and curative for many ailments.
Thousands of Tourists visit Idere Community to explore our tourist sites. We have other sites of interest with historical antecedents, archeological materials, caves and rock clefts like Otien hills, Oba, Idere; Aye Rock ( it is believed that Aye, the mother of first Onidere and the 12th Alaafin ,Ajiboyede turned to this small rock formation) at Ijegun, Idere; Adanatu Hills, Idere among others.
West Coast Travels and Tours is set to take you there
website www.westcoasttravel.com.ng
https://web.facebook.com/westcoasttravelsandtours
IG www.instagram.com/westcoasttravels
