Ogbunike Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Ogbunike is in Anambra State. Ogbunike is made up of six villages: Amawa, Ukalor, Ifite, Umueri, Azu and Osile

Ogbunike is one of the towns that make up Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra. it lies between kilometres 11.3 and 14.5 along Onitsha — Enugu Road.

Ogbunike is bounded by Umudioka on the east, Umunya on the north east, Nkwelle Ezunaka on the north and Ogidi on the west and south.

The town has an even landscape, sufficient rainfall and fertile soil.

Ogbunike people do not kill or harm python (Eke) or tortoise. These animals are the town's sacred animals and anybody that kill or harm the sacred animals must be subjected to the traditional cleansing of the land.

It is also important to respect the local culture and customs when visiting Ogbunike. Visitors should dress modestly and avoid public displays of affection, as these are considered inappropriate in the local culture. Visitors should also ask for permission before taking photos of people or places, as some locals may not feel comfortable being photographed.

The best time to visit Ogbunike is during the dry season, which runs from November to March. During this time, the weather is cool and dry, making it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. The wet season, which runs from April to October, can be quite humid and rainy, which may limit some activities. However, the wet season also brings lush vegetation and beautiful scenery that can be enjoyed by visitors who don't mind a little rain.

Ogbunike has two seasonal climatic conditions, the rainy and dry season with shot spell of harmattan . the dry season start from February to May while the rainy season starts from June to September. Harmattan starts from December to February.

Ogbunike can be accessed through the nearest airport which is Chinua Achebe International Airport. Umueri in Anambra State. The airport handles domestic services connecting the city to Nigeria's major metropolitan cities.

With bus or any means of road transportation, one can access Ogbunike through Onitsha via Niger Bridge.

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Map of Ogbunike

Moving around in Ogbunike is usually done by tricycle, motocycle and buses. The tricycle popularly known as Keke and Motocycle popularly known as Okada have their park at the outskirt of the town from which they carry people to the town . such parks are in Oye olisa, 7th Miles and express

• 6.185876.906071 Ogbunike cave. is located in a forested valley area in Ogbunike L. A long walkway o was built to enable safe and easy descent to the cave. Tradition demands that visitors enter the cave barefooted, and restricts women in their monthly period. Also, during tour, visitors are restricted from stepping into a certain small depression made by flowing water on the floor of the cave. Consequences of violating these traditions are unknown. Ogbunike cave is on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (updated Jan 2024)
• 6.16536.88432 St Marks Anglican Church Ogbunike, Abagana 421108. (updated Jan 2024)
• St Monica's College Ogbunike. (updated Jan 2024)

The people of Ogbunike perform many festivals annually. The period of each festival is determined by counting the appearance of the moon so that each native month has its own festivals. Festivals in Ogbunike involves diverse cultural activities which all together portrays the glamour of the town’s indigenous way of life. These festivals are the anvil on which cultural unity is anchored as its celebrations and this acts as a unifying force which binds the people of Ogbunike together. These festivals are occasions for merriment and it is seasoned with a purpose attached to different aspects of a city’s life. It is usually a period of rest from strenuous daily activities thus, availing them quality leisure time to consume all the entertaining cultural aesthetics of the event. Frankly speaking, through ages, Ogbunike traditional festivals with its associated cultural display has been a platform that sustained cultural uniformity amongst Ogbunike people and its neighbouring town

Nwafor Festival is one the most popular festivals in Ogbunike This festival marks the ending of the planting season. It is generally occur around July and it lasts for 4 days or one native week. It is a masquerade festival during which the youth with their colourful masquerades roam the streets exhibiting youthful exuberance. On the other hand, the aged sit by, recalling their feast in their youthful days on such occasions. The grand finale is the day the whole participants, young and old and the masquerades converge at the Ilo or village square shrine where the high priest performs some rituals and prays and thank God for favourable weather during the farming season. He also prays for the good health of every Ogbunike man and woman during the year.

The New Yam Festival in the Ogbunike community, is an important way of marking the beginning and end of the farming season. It is a celebration of life, accomplishments in the community, culture and well-being.

Ogbunike is renowned for its agricultural produce and arts. One of its popular produce, yam, is hugely celebrated yearly at the harvest of new yams from the farms, in an elaborate ceremony popularly known as the New Yam Festival. The celebration attracts tourists from the country. The traditional ruler of the land, the Igwe of Ogbunike, opens the ceremony with prayers of thanksgiving for the favour of nature and the importance of yam to the community and its farmers. The ceremony begins with a collective prayer, followed by the community partaking of freshly harvested yam. The tubers are roasted, dipped in palm oil, and washed down with the local brew.

The festival transcends geography, being celebrated with equal vigour by the diaspora. Royal fathers and dignitaries of other communities, especially those ones that share boundaries and affiliations with Ogbunike pay respect to the Igwe of Ogbunike land during the festival, and thrones, kings and dignitaries honour the festival to show solidarity and support of the people.

Investors, good deeds and accomplishments within the community are recognized during the festival. Chieftaincy titles are given to appreciate significant community contributors for creating industries and employment opportunities for locals.

• 6.157126.889621 Oye Olisa Market. (updated Jan 2024)

Ogbunike like most Nigerian cities is defined by large rudimentary informal markets where everything from basic food produce to clothes, cosmetics and household items are being sold. The largest market in Ogbunike is Oye Olisa daily Market named after one of the four market days in Igboland. This market is at the outskirts of the Town. It houses many lock-up shops and stalls all tightly close to each other

It is a centre of different activities ranging from food items to hair care products, fabric, pipes, upholstery, kitchen utensils among many others.

In addition to older informal markets in Ogbunike there are several beautiful supermarkets that have sprung up around the City to cater to customers seeking modern shopping conveniences. These supermarkets offer a wide range of products ranging from food items to provisions, beauty care items, furniture, wines, drinks, hotel stock, frozen foods, biscuits, perfumes, toiletries among many other things.

There are one stop restaurants at Ogbunike available for visitors and travellers to stop by and have a sumptious meal. Prominent among these restaurants include:

• Makojo Bar and restaurant at Oye.

There are nice joints and bars in Ogbunike where visitors can go and enjoy themselves . Some of them are.

Makojo Bar at Oye Olisa Market

• Boston Hill Resort Hotel Ogbunike
• Abada Hotel Amawa Ogbunike. This hotel is located at Emenike Junction Amawa Ogbunike
• The Residency Hotel is a top-rated hotel that offers comfortable rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a restaurant that serves local and international cuisine.
• Leophine House is another excellent option that offers clean and spacious rooms, a garden, and a terrace that offers scenic views of the town.

For budget travellers, there are also several guesthouses and hostels in Ogbunike that offer affordable accommodations. Some of these include the Green Valley Guest House and the Ogbunike Tourist Lodge, which offer basic amenities.

MTN (Everywhere you go), ☏ 180. Their service includes: data (internet), SMS and GPRS service. They also offer airtime bonus to new customer. (updated Jun 2021 | edit)

Airtel. Service includes: data (Internet), SMS and GPRS service. They used to be known as ZAIN. (updated Jun 2021 | edit)

9MOBILE, ☏ 200. Service includes: data (Internet), SMS and GPRS service. They used to be known as ETISALAT. (updated Jun 2021 | edit)

GLO, toll-free: 121. Their service includes data (internet), SMS and GPRS service. They are also known as grand masters of data. (updated Jun 2021 | edit)

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