Arochukwu long juju slave route

Arochukwu Long Juju slave route is a six foot gully that takes people to the judgment temple, back in the days.

After the cities of Aba and Umuahia, Arochukwu, which is sometimes referred to as Arochuku, or Aro Oké-Igbo is the third largest city in Abia State.

It is composed of 19 villages with an overall leader called Obong or Eze Aro.

there are several historic tourist sites in the city of Arochukwu. And among them are the mystic Ibini Ukpabi shrine, the slave routes and other relics.

Prominent for its sacred sense of mystic beauty is the Ibinu Ukabi or the long juju Shrine where the perpetrators of crimes were judged.

Tales have it that back then in the kingdom of Arochukwu, Ibini Ukpabi was the most powerful deity in Igboland.

And this was during the Trans-atlantic slave trade era.

Being a kind of supreme court whose judgment was final, there was no appeal.

Those at trial would enter the temple complex, ready to face the judgment of Chukwu (God). It is here that you will find the throne of judgment– the dark presence (“the Holy of Holies”).

And those found guilty walked into dark tunnels and those found innocent went back to their relatives.

There is also a hill of rags: It is where the condemned were instructed to undress and leave their clothes before they disappeared into the tunnels around the hill.

The long juju slave route is a dark kilometre-long series of tunnels.

There is a red river where it is said that as the guilty disappear,

And the red water flowing down the stream would be a sign to the relatives that the victims were dead.

However, stories have it that through a feature known as Iyi-Eke– an outlet to “Onu Asu Bekee” (the European beach, which later became the government beach), blindfolded those found guilty and led them to waiting boats that took the enslaved to Calabar for onward transmission to Ala Bekee.

However, the sacred stronghold was destroyed by the British as their quest for colonial power prompt them to wage war on the Long Juju and the network it had established in the region.

the long juju slave route of Arochukwu still remains a perfect destination for tourists around the world.

The Long Juju Shrine: The Apex of Power

At the heart of Arochukwu lies the Long Juju Shrine, also known as Ibini Ukpabi. This shrine shrouded in mysticism, served as a place of judgment during ancient times.

A long time ago, when ships were ferrying numerous enslaved individuals to the Americas, Ibini Ukpabi emerged as an immensely potent god in Igboland. It functioned as a supreme court, where the judgment pronounced by God (Chukwu) was final, with no possibility of appeal.

The Throne of Judgment

Within the Long Juju Shrine temple complex, one can find the throne of judgment – a dark presence known as “the Holy of Holies.” Those accused of crimes would enter the complex, ready to face the ultimate conclusion. Innocence or guilt would determine their fate.

The Tunnels of Destiny

As the accused awaited their judgment, they would wander through the temple complex. Those found guilty would be led into dark tunnels, never seen again. On the other hand, the innocent would return to their families, relieved of guilt. The tunnels surrounding the hill of rags played a significant role in this process.

The Hill of Rags and the Tunnel of Disappearance

The hill of rags served as a symbolic location where the condemned had to undress and leave their clothes behind.

Stripped of their belongings, they would journey into the hill’s tunnels. These tunnels, known as the Tunnel of Disappearance, swallowed the guilty, ensuring they would never m witness them again.

The Red River: A Symbol of Death

As the guilty disappeared into the dark abyss of the tunnels, a red river flowed downstream. The aro, the shrine’s custodians, would color the river red to create the illusion of death. This crimson stream served as a sign to the relatives of the condemned, indicating that the victims were no longer among the living.

Iyi-Eke: The Path to Enslavement

Another significant feature of the Long Juju Slave Route is Iyi-Eke, an outlet that led to the European beach, later known as the government beach.

Here, they would lead blindfolded victims found guilty to waiting boats, which would transport them to Calabar for onward transmission to Ala Bekee. This harrowing journey marked the beginning of their lives as enslaved individuals.

Isaac Boro Garden Park | A tranquil oasis in the heart of Port Harcourt

Destruction and Resilience

The British colonial powers recognized the influence and management of the Long Juju Shrine and its network. In their quest for control, they waged war on the shrine, ultimately destroying it.

However, the spirit of the Long Juju Slave Route and its historical significance persist today, attracting tourists worldwide.

How to Reach Arochukwu

Arochukwu, situated approximately 100 kilometers from the capital of Abia State, Umuahia, can be reached by road. Although the journey from Umuahia to Arochukwu can be challenging due to poor road conditions, the allure of the Long Juju Slave Route makes it worth the effort.

The travel time typically ranges from three to four hours, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the historical wonders of Arochukwu.