Bilikisu Alagawura

The Bilikisu Sungbo Shrine, located in Oke-Eri, near Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, Nigeria, is a sacred and historic site believed to be the burial place of a mysterious noblewoman known as Bilikisu Sungbo. Local legend identifies her with the Queen of Sheba, a figure mentioned in both the Bible and the Qur’an as a powerful, wealthy ruler who visited King Solomon. In Yoruba and Ijebu oral tradition, Bilikisu Sungbo is remembered as a devout, wealthy woman who commissioned the construction of massive earthworks—Sungbo’s Eredo—as a personal tribute and protective wall.
The shrine, believed to date back over 1,000 years, consists of her tomb, surrounded by forest and marked with traditional symbolism. One of the most mysterious features of the shrine is a small patch of ground near the grave where nothing ever grows, no matter the weather. This is believed to be the exact spot where her body was washed before burial. According to custom, women and dogs are strictly forbidden from entering the inner sanctuary, with numerous oral accounts warning of serious consequences for breaking this taboo.
The surrounding Sungbo’s Eredo, a system of defensive ditches and embankments stretching over 160 kilometers, is considered one of the largest man-made earthworks in pre-colonial Africa. Archaeological findings suggest the site once belonged to a wealthy, centralized state with spiritual and political influence.

The Bilikisu Sungbo Shrine remains an important site for pilgrimage and cultural tourism, attracting Muslims, Christians, and traditional worshippers alike. It stands as a powerful symbol of Nigeria's ancient civilizations, engineering prowess, and rich oral heritage.

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