Residents of Ipole Ugbugbu Owukpa, Ogbadibo local government Area of Benue State are yet to unravel the mystery behind a strange face that appeared in Awube stream.
The stream which according to a Daily Post report, is a second god and a major source of livelihood in the community that has been in existence for over three-hundred years.
The community members do practically everything with the water as it is the only water source in their area yet there is hardly a record of water-borne diseases.
A Daily Post reporter who travelled down the stream for an investigation was shocked when a young man, who gave his name as Isaac warned him against taking photos of the stream in line with the warning of one of the late chief priests years ago against the publication of stories that will expose activities around it
He went back into the village but returned to the stream in the evening hours of the fateful day to take the image of the stream only to see a strange image of a human face in the middle of the stream and managed to take some shots.
One of the community elders identified only as Ajeh, disclosed that the stream which flows from Amala in Enugu State through Eke-Akpa does not dry up at any point in time.
He said, “It’s just recently that Christianity took over the community that some of us stopped worshiping Awube. In those days, several sacrifices were offered to the Awube goddess to appease it as Ugbugbu people, till today believe that the community derives much of its blessings from the stream.
“Those who swear to Awube as an oath in those days must be sure that they were innocent, if not such person or persons would live to regret their actions. I know some people who worship Awube till today.’’
A woman leader, named after the stream, Awube, disclosed that those possessed with Ogbanje spirit in the community usually got healed after they are led to the stream by an Ogbanje priest for cleansing.
She said ‘’I was once possessed and I had my cleansing bathe inside the stream several times. I’m a Christian today, but I must tell you that people’s cosmic views hardly change. Awube is very important to us.’’
A youth leader, Augustine Okpe said: “Awube used to be very mysterious. In those days, light would shine across the stream at midnight. Sometimes, bad people are chased away from the stream when crossing to the other side at the wrong hour.
“I’m not surprised you got this image as it is very possible that Awube after several years may have decided to show its face.”
It was gathered that the stream which flows throughout the year has two sections – the Up section (Okpa-ogicho) and the Down section (Okpa-ogaje).
Men bathe in the Up section while women fetch water from the Down section. There is also a myth that any man who urinates inside the stream will become impotent.
See photos of the stream below. (Click on any image to enlarge).
