The Nigerian Field Society

Lagos Branch

Ogidi - 03-2003	Okomu - 05-2003
Oshogbo - 07-2003	Badagry - 08-2003
Palm wine tasting - 08-2003	Sukur-Lake Chad - 09-2003
Niger Republic- 10-2003	Ibadan - 11-2003
Kano/Katsina - 11-2003	Ikorodu Backwaters - 12-2003
Trips & Talks

IKORODU BACKWATERS TRIP

December 6, 2003

On Saturday 6 December 2003 a group of about 25 members of the Lagos Branch met in Ikoyi and at St Agnes Church to do the Ikorodu backwaters trip.

Our first stop was at Gberigbe where we met a High Priestess. Her shrine was in lovely blue with a very exciting backyard full of surprises. The group was introduced to her work with pregnant women from about twenty villages in the area. At that moment she was attending about eight pregnant women. We were also shown the inside of the shrine and some rituals and procedures were explained.

High Priestess in blue dress – Gberigbe

The ogogoro distillery – Okoto

At Okoto we visited the Urhobo tribe and their Ogogoro distillery. Ogogoro is a local gin distilled from juice extracted/tapped from raffia palm trees. The tribe uses wooden trunk canoes to go into the lake area to reach the trees. A special rope is used to support the person extracting the juice. The juice is then distilled in a very neat distillery with an open fire to boil the juice in a drum to form steam, after which it condenses to a liquid passing through a beautiful wooden vat. The gin is then collected in bottles and containers. Members of our group could buy some of the gin at a very reasonable price.

Boro’s two-storey raffia house – Ijaw settlement

Woman selling fresh fish – Epe local market

Our next visit was an Ijaw settlement where we had the opportunity to see the inside of a two-storey raffia palm house. This was a definite first in the area with an upper TV room complete with electricity. The reason why Mr. Boro built the two-storey house was because of a shortage of land and a large family to accommodate. Raffia palm is commonly used in the area to build houses.

Bush meat – Epe local market

Fisherman coming in after a day at sea – Magbon Alade

The local market at Epe was one of the highlights of the day. The market has all the normal products, fruit vegetables, etc. used by the normal Nigerian family, but also bush meat and fresh live fish. For the bush meat lover, the animals and the reptiles were still alive and very fresh. In the fish market woman with big straw hats, standing in the water, were eager to sell the fish kept alive in baskets in the water. The market is a definite must for all.

Woman and children waiting for Fish – Magbon Alade

Woman leaving with fresh fish – Magbon Alade

After the Epe market we visited Magbon Alade Village to see the nomadic fisherman from Ghana. At this village they repair their beautiful painted boats and nets. Local woman anxiously await the fresh fish to re-sell at their own shops and the market. The colourful fishing boats, the dresses of the woman and children on the beach, mixed with excitement, is something that makes one feel good and realize that Nigeria is a surprising country.

The visit to the shrine at Origanrigan was on a low note because the High Priest was not available to introduce his shrine.

Picnic at the botanical garden – Chevron

The last stop for the day was at the botanical garden near Chevron Head office for a picnic. All of us were tired, warm and hungry, but satisfied with a day well spent in a beautiful country. We all thank Romeo, Veronica and Mark for organizing a wonderful day and keeping the group together and on time. Thank you for your time.