Ikogosi waterfall is located
in Ekiti West Local Government Area in Ekiti Sate. The warm spring rolls down
over a hilly landscape at 70 degrees. From another hill rises a cold spring
which joins the warm spring at a confluence at the end maintaining a
temperature of thirty seven degrees. Together they form a continuous stream.
The spring is said to have some therapeutic effects on some
diseases like rheumatism and guinea worm. The undulating topography enhances
the aesthetic beauty of the people of Ikogosi.
The people of Ikogosi worship the goddess of the water and
have strong belief in the myth around it.
The myth
The traditional legend has it that the Ikogosi Warm Spring
was discovered by a local hunter by the name Ogunkugan in the course of his
hunting expedition.
Fagged out and with a craving for water, Ogunkugan was
propelled to stop by at the water fountain, which he later discovered to have a
higher temperature than other similar streams in such a pristine environment.
It was with an admix of fear and ecstasy that the hunter hurriedly made his way
to the Oba’s palace to reveal the amazing wonder that he had just discovered.
The Oba sent a set of selected traditional title chiefs to
the site to verify the strange story. At last, it was confirmed to be true. There
is need for such a site must guide jealously, after serial meeting, a high
ranking chieftain Baaleshi was immediately announced as the spiritual head of
the “Awo” (the traditional name given to the warm spring). Similarly, the
adjourning cold spring, which has a confluence at a point in the same precinct,
was called “Awele”.
“The warm spring automatically became a place of traditional
worship and point of intercession with the gods by the community dwellers for a
long time during the olden days.
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