Okpu Ana Natural Spring Ukpor
Okpu Ana Natural Spring Ukpor is located in Nnewi South Local government area of Anambra state,the town is the headquarters of the Local government. The source of the spring is unknown and it simply gushes out of a large boulder embedded in a cliff and is regarded as the purest waters to be found anywhere. To access the water, one has to descend virtually into the bowels of the earth by means of steps constructed by the people for that purpose. The people of Ukpor are very proud of the mysterious spring, as they lead tourists to its banks; they also encourage them to take a drink. The spring forms a stream at the bottom, which has a beautiful bet of white clay, giving it an entirely surreal atmosphere. The quiet and serene environment of the spring is conducive for camping and picnicking or simply for a quiet time of meditation. There is also another an anicent tower called 'DIKE'S ANCIENT WAR TOWER' In Igbo land ‘Dike’ is referred is a great man and must have performed an extraordinary feat to deserve the title. In times past, it was used for great warriors who had shown exceptional bravery at war. Dike Madueke, who lived and died in Ukpor before 1700, falls under this category. He is reputed as the greatest warrior in Ukpor land. He led the people to many wars, perfecting a strategy that enabled the people defeat their enemies all around. The early European adventurers who came to Ukpor met such stiff resistance from the local soldiers that they had to retreat for re-enforcement before they were able to subdue the people.
DIKE MADUEKE'S ANCIENT WAR TOWER
It was said that in the process of perfecting his war strategies, Dike Madueke erected in his family compound which still stand today as a tourist site, a twenty-foot tall multi-purpose pyramid tower that aided the people to thwart the plans of their enemies. The interior of the tower has three decks, spy holes all around it and with the aid of ladder people climb from one deck to another. A sentry is constantly posted on top of the deck from where he observes the surrounding area and reports the movement of soldiers from every direction. The middle rung is reserved for sharp-shooters armed with Dane guns and darts. The height gives them the advantage of reach over enemy soldiers. The ground floor of the tower is the most spacious and acts as a refuge for women and children, considered the most vulnerable in war times. While the men fight, they ensure their loved ones are protected from attack. Dike’s tower has recently been reduced in height to enable maintenance and preservation of this important historical monument. It has survived years of weathering due to special indigenous architectural skill that went into its construction, which according to the people has been lost, years ago. The walls, hedging the Madueke family compound is as old as the tower itself and still stand as strong as ever. One cannot claim to have seen the ingenuity of the Igbo people during the early years without a visit to Dike’s tower at Ukpor town in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
written by
Johnpaul Ezeani
08063502100
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