Owo
Owo is one of the largest cities in Ondo State, South West Nigeria. The Palace of the Olowo of Owo is the largest palace in Africa.
Understand
In their oral tradition, Owo traces its origins back to the ancient city of Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba culture. Oral tradition also claims that the founders were the sons of the Yoruba deity Oduduwa, who was the first ruler of Ile-Ife. The early art-historical and archaeological records reinforce these strong affiliations with Ife culture. Owo was able to maintain virtual independence from the neighboring kingdom of Benin but was on occasion required to give tribute. The transmission of courtly culture flowed in both directions between the Benin and the Owo kingdoms. The skill of Owo's ivory carvers was also appreciated at the court of Benin. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Benin's rulers increasingly utilized insignia made from ivory, and imported Owo's art objects and recruited its artisans for their own royal workshops. There were other notable artworks that can be evidently supported.
Owo later came under British rule in 1893. After Nigeria declared independence in 1960, it was part of the Western Region until 1967 when it became part of the Western State. Owo and its indigenes played significant roles in the politics of the First Republic in Nigeria. In 1976, it became part of the newly created Ondo State.
In 2016, the area was home to about 220,000 people.
Districts
| Idasen |
| Ipele |
| Isuada |
| Iyere |
| Owo (rural) |
| Upenmen |
| Uso |
Get in
By bus
There are different buses that transport people from various parts of the state to Owo ranging from ₦500 depending on your location.
People also come from various parts of the country to Owo directly paying different prices depending on your location.
By plane
People move down to Owo with plane from different parts of the country especially Lagos. From Lagos to Owo using a plane is about 1½ hours. The prices also vary depending on locations.
Get around
By bus
People move around Owo to all parts of the city using buses apart from the taxi which can be used to transport people and goods.
By motorbike
Bikes are also used to convey people to some parts of Owo especially places that are far from from the road or are rough for the use of buses.
See
- Olowo of Owo Palace. The Olowo of Owo's palace is the largest in Yoruba land and was declared a national monument by the Federal Government in 2000. It was built in 1340 and is the largest palace in Africa with a covering of 99-hectare piece of land. There are over 100 ancient courtyards and they were dedicated to a particular deity, each has its own function. Only 17 are still intact.
Places
- Rufus Giwa, Polytechnic, a state-owned institution established in 1979.
- St. John’s Teacher Training College
- government trade institute
Museum
- 1 Owo Museum. Owo Museum was founded in 1968. It is home to many monuments and artifacts. Because of its proximity to Ile-Ife and Benin city, two cities renowned for their artistic and cultural legacies, the museum was built to preserve the antiquities that were formerly stored in Olowo’s Palace. From there, one can learn about the people of Owo and their history.
Do
Igogo Festival: This festival takes place annually. It lasts for a period of seventeen days and begins with Upeli proceedings by the Iloro chiefs. This Upeli procession lasts for 12 days and features several activities including Utegi, Ugbabo, Uyanna and Ugbate. This festival is also a period of celebration of new yams and masquerade dance. Dancing in the market by the monarch is also one of the rites performed during the festival. The festival is done in remembrance of the king’s wife who turned into a tree while she was being pursued by the king’s slave so that she will return to the palace after her rival violated her taboos in her presence. During the procession, beating of drums by individuals or associations is forbidden beating drums rather metal gongs (agogo) are being used and firing of guns, the use of caps by men and head ties by women at close range to the Owo monarch, the Olowo of Owo is also highly prohibited. The Olowo normally dress himself in coral beaded gown and plaits his hair like a woman during the celebration. The chiefs plait their hair and dance round the town, and visit their loved ones who give them gifts in return. The festival features the dance of bare-chested men, the Iloro Quarter men called Ighares. They often wear white caps with two horns of buffalo in their hands. They strike these horns together while dancing around the town and visiting some sacred places in the town. During this rite, any animal that crosses their paths automatically becomes food for them. The prime aim of the festival is to encourage greater involvement of the youths of the community into the cultural norm of Owo.
Buy
Eat
- Chicken republic, Ijebu (along Owo-Akure Road just after the Ijebu-Owo roundabout.), ☏ +234 815 064 3080. Daily 8AM - 9PM. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery.
- 21 Ages international. 24/7. Dine-in. Takeaway
- Laide Restaurant, Ikare-Owo road. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery
- Isale-Oro Restaurant, 4, Ishokun-Odo street, ☏ +234 706 706 8068. 7AM - 10PM. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery
- Kemi kitchen, Okedogbon Rd, Owo - Oba Rd, 135., ☏ +234 803 529 0863. 24/7. Takeaway
- Burgerland Pastries, 41 Oke Ogun St, Owo, ☏ +234 812 893 8443. M-Sa 9AM-9PM, Su 11AM-8PM. Takeaway and delivery
- Femcy Kitchen, No 120, Oke Ogun Street (adjacent to Fingerprint Hotel), ☏ +234 816 176 4630. M-Sa 7AM - 10PM. Takeaway
- 1 Triple Tee, 47 ikare-Owo Road Owo. Ondo state, ☏ +234 814 767 1321. Serves various kinds of local dishes and fast food, and they also offer takeaway services and dine-in services.
- 2 La cuisine palace, Pvc, ☏ +234 803 2171 836. 6:30AM-9PM daily. Menu: catfish pepper soup, fried rice, porridge yam ,vegetable soup, white rice, other local dishes and assorted meats. Dine-in, take away or delivery.
- 3 De Elegance Restaurant, 12 Itare Express, ☏ +234 803 509 9969. Continental cuisine, fast food, local dishes; dine-in or takeaway.
- 4 200 Degrees Grill and Pastry, Iyare road, adjacent Eco Bank, Ijebu, ☏ +234 705 624 7208. 9AM-11PM daily. Home delivery Services, dine in, take away. What'sApp contact:091 247 115 23.
- 5 Honesty Restaurant, 8 Ado junction Akure Benin Rd, ☏ + 234 70 3587 4600. 7:30AM-8PM. Provides local and continental dishes soup and fast food and cafe; dine in, takeaway or delivery.
- 6 Wana Restaurant, Along Ososo Grammar school, Ososo, ☏ +234 816 429 453. 7AM-10PM. Dine in, take away.
Drink
- Omoskla cafe, Opposite Chicken Republic G.B 22, Ododasa Street, ☏ +234 803 498 8214. Dine in and takeaway
Sleep
- 1 Best Western Mydas Hotel, Owo (Mydas Hotel), KM 1 Ikare-Owo Road (via Sagamu-Benin Expy/A121), ☏ +234 700 880-8800, toll-free: +234 814 880 8800, reservations@hotels.ng. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₦15,000.
- 2 The Chancery Hotel Owo, Owo-ute-uhen Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. A 3-star hotel. It has swimming pool, free wifi, car hire, a garden and terrace. All the rooms are air-conditioned and each room has a dishwasher, a microwave, a coffee machine, a bidet, a hairdryer, a TV with satellite channels and dvd player,24 hours laundry/valet services, fully equipped gym for fitness exercise, Lawn Tennis Court, parking space and security. All the rooms come with a seating area. The hotel offers a paid airport shuttle service. ₦15,000-₦0,000 per night.
Connect
Go next
From Owo, you can go to some other cities in Nigeria such as: