Mariam Sule
| Special to USA TODAY
In the city of Ilorin, the capital of Kwara state in Western Nigeria stands the Sobi rocks at nearly 1,300 feet (396 meters) above sea level, named after the Sobi community.
It is a collision between two steep and smooth rocks, depending on which side of the rock you’re climbing. At the top of the rock is a savannah of sparsely spaced trees and short bright green grass. It is the highest point in Ilorin and offers a great view of the city.
Unlike most tourist attractions, visitors are not charged a fee to explore the rock but are instead required to do something else: take off their shoes, as it is holy ground.
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As you climb the rock, a white line traces a path to the top. Along the way, you’ll see a hollow in the rock, where water gathers and sometimes people wash their clothes. Historians say that during the early wars that shaped the Kwara state as we know it, the rock served as a home and refuge for warriors and hunters. The evidence lies in those hollows, which are perfect spots to hide from the sun during the dry season –…
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