02/05/2017
ESIE MUSEUM (ESIE SOAPSTONE)
ARCHAEOLOGY:
In the agrarian Igbomina town of Esie, Irepodun LGA Kwara Statelays the first museum in Nigeria.The museum was established in1945 to house one of the greatesttreasures ever bequeathed to
mankind, Esie Stone Images (EreEsie).
Ere Esie has long been known andassociated with the people of Esie.
Indeed, it has become a referent inthe cosmology and socio-culturalspectrum of the people. However,the origin of these stone figureshas long been a subject of socialand academic discourse. In some
quarters, it is believed that theimages were formally human beingsturned to stone by Supreme Being(Olodumare), while researchers andArchaeological findings prove thatthey were carved by some yet to beidentified carvers. In fact, theobjects are shrouded in greatmysteries, myths and taboos.
It is widely believed that Esiepeople migrated from old Oyo inthe years of Alafin Amuniwaye (late18th Century). An Oyo prince,Adesole had contested the thronewith Amuniwaye and lost.
Consequently, he had to leave theOyo town as tradition forbade himto stay after losing the contest.
These Oyo emigrants, havingwondered and settled at differentplaces finally came to their presentabode around 1775. It is alsobelieved that a famous hunter, Baragbon who took the mantle of leadership led the people to Esie. It is equally believed that it wasBaragbon, during one of his huntingexpeditions that he accidentallydiscovered the stone images in agrove arranged in a semi-circle.
This grove is located about 1.4kilometres south west of EsieTownship. The images consist ofover one thousand stone carvingsof men and women presided over
by a king (Oba Ere), the largest collection of stone images in sub-Sahara Africa. Majority of theobjects are carved in sitting
position and were manufacturedfrom steatite type of rock, otherwiseknown as soapstone. Features likefacial marks and striations are seen on majority of the objects whilesome of the heads are plain-faced.
The sculptures range in height from1.4 to 120 cm and weight between0.55 and 104 kilograms. Thecarvings represent people engagedin different social activities: some
playing musical instruments andmany armed with arrows, machetesand unidentified objects. Fewobjects represent lower socialstatus while majority of the objectsdepicts higher social status as
attested by their rich attires, heavybeads and well-designedheadgears. The artistry of theobjects suggests that the objects
were produced by highly developedAfrican Society of the past.
These impressive artistic featuresof the object prompted the thencolonial government of Nigeria tobuild a shelter to house the imagesin 1945 at the site of discovery(National Museum, Esie).
Other facilities include:
• Vast land mass suitable for eco-museum
• Viable archaeological sites forexcavation
• Spacious children playing ground
• A modern gallery with apermanent exhibition titled;Indigenous Artworks as Indicatorsof Cultural harmony
• A stand-by generating set.
• Serene environment etc.
ACCESSIBILITY OF THE TOURIST SITE:
The museum is accessible to tourist
from different part of the world.
TIME OF VISIT:
Any time, Any day.
SECURITY:
Maximum security guaranteed for
visitors/tourists.
ACCOMMODATION:
For visiting tourist who wish to stay at the state capital, there are a lot of hotels of different classes, which can suite different standards. And for those who wish to stay close to the onsite, Image Garden Hotel is locatedbeside Esie Museum.
*The hotelfeatures an eventcenter.
*Each air conditioned room has anen-suite bathroom and a TV withsatellite channels to catch the world at your finger tips.
*Guests order a variety of mealsand drinks at the onsite restaurantand bar.
*Guests enjoy swimming sessions at the swimming pool.
*Laundry and car hire services areoffered onsite.
*The premises areguarded round the clock andonsite parking is available.
*The hotel is about 50 minutes drive from
the state capital.
REVENUE:
-Did you know that millions of N$£€can be generated from the tourist site?
-Did you know that a sustainableincome can be generated for the hostcommunity even locally?
-Did you know that the tourist site in collaboration with hospitalitybusiness owners can drive theeconomy of the state, if not thecountry higher?
-Did you know that severalemployment opportunities could begenerated through public privatepartnership via the tourist site?
-Did you know the social mediamarketing strategies in this tourismproject?
-Did you know that our Nollywoodartists have not been living up toexpectations on this touristadvantage, which ought to have beenharnessed and showcased to the world through theirmovies and thereby, genemorencome income for all stakeholders?
-These and many more questions are
begging for answers as to how to go
about it.
For answers to the above questions, for more archaeological and economic enquiries:
Contact BRAND KWARA (X-plore Kwara)
***BRAND KWARA: Exploring, harnessing and Showcasing Kwara natural potentials to the world, to create wealth.
