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Ogbunike Caves Sacred Grove
Ogbunike, Oyi LGA, Anambra State
Nigeria
Active (annual Ime Ogbe festival; UNESCO tentative)
Single grove
- Location
- Ogbunike, Oyi LGA, Anambra State
- Coordinates
- ~6.18°N 6.86°E
- Elevation
- Forested escarpment/valley
- Size
- Cave system + surrounding sacred forest
- Age / Founded
- Ancient (traditional)
- Status
- Active (annual Ime Ogbe festival; UNESCO tentative)
- Deity & Religion
- Ogba spirit/deity; Igbo traditional religion
- Community & Guardians
- Ogbunike community (Igbo)
- Vernacular name
- Sacred grove (Ogba spirit)
- Record type
- Single grove
Cultural practices & uses
Sacred caves & grove; remove footwear before entry; annual festival; historic refuge
Plant species
Surrounding tropical forest & stream (Nkissa river)
Biome & fauna
Rainforest valley; bats in caves
Threats & protection
UNESCO World Heritage tentative list; community-protected
Source
Ogbunike Caves (UNESCO tentative); IOL — 'Inside Nigeria's evil forest'