Owo, Agricultural center in Ondo State, Nigeria.
Owo is a city in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria, positioned at a key road junction connecting Akure, Kabba, Benin City, and Siluko. Its central location has made it a regional hub for agricultural trade and commerce.
Between 1400 and 1600, Owo served as the capital of a Yoruba city-state with considerable regional influence. British colonial rule took over in 1893 and shaped the city's modern development.
The Aghofen palace features around 100 separate courtyards, each dedicated to specific deities, with carved wooden pillars throughout showing images of kings and senior wives.
Visitors will find local markets where farmers sell yams, cassava, maize, okra, peppers, cocoa, and cotton, offering a view of daily trade. The best time to explore is during morning market hours when activity is at its peak.
Excavations in 1969 uncovered terracotta sculptures from the 15th century, which are now displayed at the Owo Museum founded in 1968. These finds reveal the artistic sophistication of an early Yoruba civilization and reflect the region's cultural depth.
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