Esiẹ Museum, First national museum in Esiẹ, Nigeria.
Esiẹ Museum holds over one thousand soapstone figures carved into human shapes, gathered in this location in Kwara State. The collection represents the largest concentration of such carved artifacts found anywhere in the world.
This museum was established in 1945 by the colonial administration, making it Nigeria's first national museum of this kind. Its creation marked the start of formal efforts to preserve cultural objects across the country.
The stone figures reflect beliefs and practices rooted in the local community, showing forms that have held meaning for generations in this region. When you walk through, you notice how these objects are arranged to show their connection to daily life and local traditions.
The museum sits in Esiẹ in Kwara State and can be reached by buses and local transport. Wear comfortable shoes, as you will walk around the grounds to view the figures and the historic tree on the property.
All the stone figures were originally discovered and dug up from beneath a large tree on the museum grounds. That tree still stands in its original location today, drawing visitors who want to see the very spot where this remarkable collection was found.
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