SHRINES & GROVES

Ile-Ife is still today, the centre of indigenous or traditional Yoruba worship. Shrines and groves are all scattered around the ancient city. The people still hold strongly to their ancestral religious worship. There are series of traditional festivals marked annually by the people to commemorate many deities known in the history of the ancient city and Yorubaland as a whole.
Looking at the architecture of most of the shrines in Ile-Ife, they are of the typical royal house or palace with courtyard for rituals and ceremonies. This in a way may want to make one to affirm that these deities were rulers or king during their time before being deified. Today, you find the prefix of `Oba’ before their name e.g. Obatala, Obalufon.

Not minding the fact that the major foreign religions are eroding fastly, the traditional religion in the ancient city, yet Ile-Ife is still the stronghold of traditional worship. There are about 201 shrines and groves in Ile-Ife apart from numerous family shrines in their individual houses or in the family hall called 'Akodi'.

Akodi

Obalufon Shrine: This shrine is located along Obalufon Street between Lagere Post Office and Olubuse market. The shrine is dedicated to Obalufon one of the ancient rulers of the city. The ancient crown, Are, is usually presented to the Ooni-elect by the Chief priest of Obalufon at a point marked by two peregun trees along Igbo Itapa street (specifically at Ile-Balea: Balea compound).

Orisa-Kire: This shrine is located between Oduduwa Street and Ilare Street. The Chief priest is known as Obakire. Orisakire is the deity of peace and productivity. This annual festival comes up in early October.

Orisa-Kire Shrine

Esu-Ilare Shrine: Located along Ilare Street, not far from Ifa Temple at Oke-Tase. Esu is said to be messenger that carries ebo (sacrifice) to Olodumare. Unfortunately, the original statue of Esu was stolen and a replica is mounted on a pillar base at the site.

Esu Ilare Shrine

Point of crowing new Ooni along Igbo Itapa

Ifa temple (Oke-Agboniregun) at Oke-Itase: This temple is directly overlooking Oduduwa grove along Ilare Street. Agboniregun’s original home is at Oke-Igeti (and that is why he is referred to as Okunrin Kukuru Oke-Igeti i.e. the short man of Oke-Igeti. Agboniregun moved from Oke-Igeti to Oke-Itase on the order of Oduduwa so as to be nearer to him (Oduduwa). The Ifa festival comes up annually – in June. This is the beginning of a New Year for the Ifa calendar. The chief priest is Araba.

Oke-Mogun shrine: Ogun was said to be the pathfinder. He was one of the children of Oduduwa and Ogun also reigned as Ooni. Ogun is the god of iron and this is why Ogun shrine is found in the home of hunters, blacksmiths and all users of metal. Ogun shrine is the centre of activities during Olojo-festival in Ile-Ife. The chief priest is Osogun. This shrine is located in front of the modern Ife City Hall, opposite the palace of the Ooni.

Oke-Mogun shrine

The Palace: The palace aafin houses the Ooni (the king). The palace itself is a historical/cultural and tourist centre on its own. It houses Yeyemolu well, Ogun Laadin shrine, Moremi statue, Ile-Nla (the town hall built by the colonial administration in 1922) and the National Museum that houses the numerous antiquities showing the arts treasure of the town in particular and the country as a whole.

Obatala Temple: Obatala otherwise known, as Orisa-Nla is the greatest of all the Yoruba pantheon gods. He is the alaala funfun (the white garment god). He has the Ase (authority). The chief priest is Obalesun or Obalale. The shrine is situated at Igbo-Itapa.

Oluorogbo Shrine: Oluorogbo was the mediator between Obatala and Oduduwa on their age-long quarrel. He was the first to have the knowledge of writing. His writings can still be observed on the walls of the shrine. The chief priest is Obalase. The shrine is along Ilode Street on the way to Ifewara town.

Oluorogbo Shrine

Osara shrine: The famous Agbon Dancers of Ife is associated with this shrine. Olosara is the chief priest. The shrine is along Moore Street.

Osara shrine

Yeyemolu well: Yeyemolu is said to be the wife of Ooni. The well is traditionally the source of water for the Ooni and his household. The well is said to have a link to another well almost 500 metres to the palace.

Ogun Laadin: L0aadin was the first blacksmith in Ile-Ife. His workshop today is the Ile-Ase where oath is taking. Today, any installed traditional chief takes oath at this shrine.

Ile-Nla: This is the hall built to serve as a conference hall between the Ooni and the colonial resident officer. It was built in 1922 as designed by Architect Taffy. Today it serves as conference hall for social events.

Ile-Nla

National Museum: The museum is one of the early museums established in the country. It was opened to public in 1954. It houses archaeological and ethnographical materials depicting Ife culture in particular and is one of the early museums established in the country. It was opened to public in 1954. It houses archaeological and ethnographical materials depicting Ife culture in particular and Yoruba in general. It is presently exhibiting the 20 years on throne of Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II and the photo exhibition of the Nigerian Dresses. The museum is at the right side of the entrance to the palace.

Oduduwa Grove and Shrine: Oduduwa is the father of the Yoruba race worldwide. His grove and shrine lie at a three-acre piece of land. Oduduwa is believed to have entered the ground at this grove. A round house where he was said to have entered the ground with a chain marks his shrine. The Chief priest is Obadio. The grove is along Oduduwa Street.

Oduduwa Grove and Shrine (Ile Oduduwa)

Yemoo Grove: The grove today houses a pottery museum and in-situ potsherd pavement excavated by Frank Willet in 1957. Yemoo was the wife of Obatala. The grove is along Moore Street opposite the Ife Cooperative Store.

Olokun Shrine:  This is the grove where in 1910 Leo Frobenius removed the famous Olokun bronze head. Olokun was one of the wives of Oduduwa. She was rich but barren. She started the famous segi (blue bead) industry in Ile-Ife. Today, one can pick up beads any where within the area of the grove. The grove is situated at Irebami Street, off Fajuyi Road.

Oke-Igeti: This is the first point of settlement for Agbominregun (Ifa) when he descended from the heaven. The shrine still stands in front of the Akinosinla family hall. Oke-Igeti is at off Igbodo Street.

Oranmiyan Groove & Shrine: Oranmiyan, the grandson of Oduduwa was the founder of Oyo Empire and the Eweka dynasty of Benin Kingdom. He was a warrior. He entered the ground at this grove and a 5.27 granite monolith with iron studs stuck into this granite stand at the entrance of the grove. At the back of the monolith staff stand his house, which still stand till today. Eredumi is the chief priest. The grove is along Arubidi Street on Ife-Ondo road.

Oranmiyan Groove & Shrine

Moremi Grove: This grove dedicated to Moremi, the legendry woman that save Ife from Igbo – invasion. During Edi festival, Tele always carries the etutu to this grove. Thegrove is at Moremi Street, Iloro area of the town.

Ijugbe Grove: The grove is the house of Orisateko, the first farmer to plant yam In 1983, the grove was destroyed as a result of the Modakeke/Ife crisis. The grove is at Ijugbe in Modakeke side of the town

Ijugbe Shrine: The shrine is at Obalejugbe Street. It compliments the grove and it is this shrine that the instruments of worship as well as Orisateko himself are housed.

Iledi Ooni: Along Iremo Road is the Iledi Ooni, which serves as a meeting venue for the Imole, the cult of elders. On ascending throne, any elected Ooni must join the cult and this Iledi is where members meet every fifteen days (itadogun).