Okposi salt lake, situated in the Ebonyi state of Nigeria, is among the fantastic wonders of nature. This is owing to the great features and historical background that the lake can boast of.
The lake is located at the Ivuezizor at Okposi Okwu in the Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
For 400 years, the lake has served as the source of salt for the area’s locals and indigenes. There is a local legend surrounding Okposi Salt Lake. According to a local legend about the natural wonder, two local hunters discovered the lake while searching for drinking water. The hunters subsequently realized that the lake’s water could not quench their thirst.
Over the years, the local Okposi women led salt production using solar energy. Subsequently, The town became a notable trade centre. It attracted several buyers from the eastern and northern parts of present-day Nigeria.
Some years later, A renowned market called Odenigbo Okposi rose in the area.
The solution for the Okposi salt is found only in the salt lake of Ebonyi that covers not more than three plots of land at 100×70 measurements.
If one kis to inspect the lake with a closer eye, The lake is purely greenish and glitters. Trees and grasses also surround the lake.
The locals and indigenes of the Okposi community love and adore the lake owing to a common heritage, myth and custom surrounding the lake.
The custom of the land is a common law which the locals and the okposi community can never violate. The locals firmly believe that anybody who breaks the law shall not go without consequences. They think that the lake goddess would deal with him or her. The punishments for law violation include striking the offender with death or madness.
The community rules forbid the men among the locals and indegenes from fetching the salt solution from the lake. The community does not allow the men to even assist the women in lifting the pot containing the water from the salt lake.
Further, the community’s rules dictate that the (women even) cannot use Gallons and other plastic materials while fetching the salt solution from the lake.
The community residing in the Ebonyi state restricts visitors from walking into the lake or nearby with footwear. The restriction regarding footwear is also applicable to women.
Further, the salt lake rules dictate that any woman on her menstrual period needs to stay away from the lake and its surroundings.
Ebonyi State government tried installing a machine inside the lake and running a pipe from there (outside). However, both the device and the line got damaged.
The Okposi Okwu people believe that this indicates that the salt lake goddess doesn’t need technology.
