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Ilé-Ifẹ̀ Sacred Groves & Shrine Forests
Ile-Ife, Osun State, southwestern Nigeria
Nigeria
Active (shrines & festivals)
Regional cluster
- Location
- Ile-Ife, Osun State, southwestern Nigeria
- Coordinates
- ~7.49°N 4.56°E
- Elevation
- Forest zone
- Size
- Multiple grove/shrine sites
- Age / Founded
- Ancient (Yoruba cradle; Igbo Olokun glass-working 11th–15th c. AD)
- Status
- Active (shrines & festivals)
- Deity & Religion
- Olokun, Obatala, Oranfe (Oramfe), Yemoo, Oduduwa; Yoruba (Ifa) religion
- Community & Guardians
- Ife Yoruba; priesthoods
- Vernacular name
- Igbo (Yoruba sacred forest)
- Record type
- Regional cluster
Cultural practices & uses
Shrine forests: Igbo Olokun, Yemoo grove, Olokun grove, Osara & Yeyewara shrines, Igbo Irudi; rituals & festivals; Igbo Olokun = early glass workshop
Plant species
Forest-zone shrine groves
Biome & fauna
Southwest Nigeria lowland forest
Threats & protection
Urban encroachment; cultural/heritage protection
Source
Ife Shrines (Nigeria National Repository); Osun State — Ile-Ife; Igbo Olokun