DECLARED MONUMENTS IN NIGERIA

Ate Ogu Tumulus near the Palace of the Ate of Idah:

Ate Ogu is a large earth mound behind the houses that bordered the west side of the main road leaving Idah for Ankpa.

It is associated with the main traditional section of Idah and not with the modern parts of the town.

In relation to the division of the Old town into indigenous quarters (Occupied by the Igbala Mala families) and royal compounds (Occupied by the little relative of the Ate) the mound is closest to the latter section.

Its name implies that people were killed there in the past or alternatively that it was a site for Ogu sacrifice which is usually that last rite in the traditional sequence of funeral ceremonies.

In explanation of the name, it is said that Onoja Oboni, a legendary Igala giant, once employed his army to build on this site a tower that would reach the sky and enable him to carry war up to heaven. But the Tower collapsed and buried most of the workers leaving the mound in its present form.

A less common story is that the mound forms the ruins of a former tower, similar to one called Odogo in the Ata's present compound and is associated with Agenapoje, an early female member of the present dynasty.

Declaration:
Declared monument on 15th December, 1964.