Agu-Owuru Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Umumba Ndiumo 401123, Enugu. (6.31052, 7.26732)
Open:	no restrictions. [2025]
Fee:	free. [2025]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	Emeka E. Okonkwo, Ezekaka Afoma, Igwemadu Martha (2017): Cave Tourism and its Implications to Tourism Development in Nigeria: A Case Study of Agu-Owuru Cave in Ezeagu, International Journal of Research in Tourism and Hospitality (IJRTH), Volume 3, Issue 3, 2017, PP 16-24. ISSN 2455-0043. DOI pdf ARC Journals
Address:	Agu-Owuru Cave, Umumba Ndiumo 401123, Enugu, Tel: +234-.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Ogba Agu-Owuru (Agu-Owuru Cave) was named after the local lore that it was once inhabited by lions. The name translates "cave that inhabits lion". During the Civil War the cave was used as a hideout by the locals.

There are numerous weird rules about caves in this area, most of them apply to women. Here they are even weirder than ususal.

A woman who is menstruating may not enter the cave.
A woman who is still grieving for her husband may not enter the cave.
A woman who is having an abortion within a year may not enter the cave.
A woman wearing pants may not enter the cave.
Hunting game is allowed in the cave, but the hunter must roast, prepare and eat some of the meat outside the cave before taking the rest home.

The reason for such rules is the fact that the cave is said to be the home of a god, in this case Ogba. There is a picture of the god inside the cave on a wall and this part of the cave is used for services. The shrine may contain old shoes, Coke bottles and other things, which are sacrificial items. This whole belief is quite weird, and the fact that the name of the god translates "cave" is even weirder. It was probably a joke and the locals were just pulling the researchers' leg.

The cave has two entrance, which are more than 2.5 m high, one is 2 m wide, the other 4 m. The passages behind are spacious enough for comfortable walking, though there is always a little water on the floor. Currently, the cave is not developed at all, though there is a trail to the cave for the religious use. Once a year there is a festival at the cave.