This natural pool in the pictures below is called Obai.
It is located at Isiugwu, in the Ohafia local government area of Abia state
Obai is a river and an abode of a river goddess, served by a priestess from a particular kindred (ikwu). A sacred and jealous goddess that takes no pride in immorality, dries up once desecrated and comes back when appeased. It has healing powers for her visitors. It has beautiful lilies that spring up every morning.
Obai is beautiful, soft, pure, clean, and transparent as crystal clear, with no shadow to fear and no hiding disguise and these remind the people of Isiugwu to be true and keep hearts clean and transparent
She has the most beautiful, graceful, and harmless fish, these beautiful fish will gently swim close to your legs to welcome you once you step into Obai.
They are sacred, and not for food.
Killing a fish in Obai can attract the death penalty.
These beautiful fish will navigate your heart.
Obai flows graciously, journeying on with purpose and might.
Her flow is a captivating sight.
From afar, you can hear her singing nature’s song.
Her song echoes through the ancient heel “Ugwu Obai” It is a gentle reminder that nature’s release.
Her Sparrows and grasses bloom vivid and bright and speak of life endurance.
Obai depreciates during the rainy season and increases in height and wider during the dry season hence there is a saying “Obai ejigi mini onye ōduō etue” Which means “Obai takes responsible for her growth, happiness, and success. She is confident in her ability, worth, and potential. She believes in herself”And this has been an inspiration to the people of Isiugwu Ohafia, also her confidence and self-assuredness inspire the people of Isiugwu to believe in themselves hence there is a saying”A wu m Obai, ejim mini onye ōduō etue”
The palm tree surrounding Obai are not ordinary palm trees. They are symbols of womanhood.
The palm trees always have mature unripe palm trees fruit on them. Once a young woman got pregnant while still in her father’s house, even if it is one-month pregnancy, the palm fruit will ripe signifying that an unmarried young woman is pregnant and the community women will do some investigations to find out the pregnant girl.
Obai is a testament to nature! A sight to behold!A sigh to know!
In case you wish to visit from another village or state, please,never plan to go home with a keg of water from obai because Obai doesn’t travel irrespective of the means you want to use, she will have a way of coming back to Isiugwu ohafia.
