The Story of Awhum Waterfall reminds one of the stories of
the pool of Bethesda in the Bible. The Awhum waterfall is said to be associated
with healing, and is capable of dispelling evil forces when sprinkled upon.
Awhum waterfall in Amaugwe village of Awhum town in Udi
Local Government Area of Enugu State is an opulently grand rock encased waterfall.
The waterfall is as a result of heavy outthrust of rock with water descending
from the top and forming a rapid flowing stream at the base.
The waterfall is nature gift to the people of Awhum and it
is managed by the Catholic Monastery. This is why you cannot separate the cave
and the waterfall from the monastery. The waterfall and the cave and the
surrounding environs were gifted freely to the monastery about forty years ago.
Everything the monastery did at the cave and waterfall was permitted by the community;
hence it becomes a place for religious and leisure tourism.
As a religious tourism haven, Awhum serves as centre for
meditations and deep reflection. At the main entrance to the cave is the statue
of Virgin Mary believed to have been erected by the Catholic Church. The statue
has been erected in 2001. Also, before getting to the waterfall one can see
another statue of Virgin Mary surrounded by late Christians’ faithful in
genuflection to the Mother of Jesus. Beside, one can also see some piece of papers
stocked on Mother Mary, believed to be prayer petitions of people who had once
visited. However one sees it, this is a place where people seek for religious
upliftment and solace to their troubled soul.
Awhum waterfall also serves the leisure tourists who wanted
a place for adventure and picnicking experiences. The pattern at which the
water undulates as it falls from the cliff makes it an eye-catchy site to
visit. The long walk of about fifty minutes from the Monastery down to the
mouth of the waterfall and down a slope surrounded by hills and green
vegetations makes it an adventure to experience. One needs to be careful as you
walk on the miniature rocks, and your footwear must be water friendly if you
would want an easy walk through the fast running water.
The waterfall itself is an undeniably charming sight that
entices one to a cool bath. Aside the waterfall, the mind-blowing 300m long
limestone walls engulfing the footpath at either side would as well catch your
interest. This is why the 30km high waterfall and the cave are something for
the adventurous tourists.
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