By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti

Deep in the heart of Erinjiyan, a small town steeped in mysteries, lies a river unlike any other. More than just a body of water, it is a source of reverence, superstition, and inexplicable occurrences that have shaped the town’s identity for generations.

Locals believe the river has a mind of its own, welcoming those with pure hearts and rejecting those with evil intentions.

“If someone with a wicked heart throws anything into the water, the fish will not appear. Even more curiously, if the fish are caught and taken home to cook, they never get done,” says Kehinde Oguntoyinbo, a town elder.

Tales abound about how, no matter how long they are boiled, the fish remain uncooked and raw. In some instances, the water in the pot boils vigorously, yet the pieces of fish miraculously rejoin to form a whole again. Those who attempt to eat the fish despite these warnings are said to be doomed to a life of poverty and misfortune.

Every July, the town hosts a sacred water festival to honour the river’s spirit. As part of the ritual, the community prepares local delicacies, including bean cakes (akara), which they place in the water as offerings.

It is during this time that a mermaid is said to emerge from the depths, reciting prayers in an ancient dialect before vanishing beneath the surface.

A native of Erinjiyan, Adedeji Deborah, said, “I have seen the mermaid myself. It is not just a story passed down by my parents or forefathers. When it was my family’s turn to perform the rites, I took part in the ceremony.”

The wonders of the river are not limited to its sacred festival. In an unusual twist of nature, the river flows upward, defying the natural course of water.

The surrounding palm trees, deeply rooted in legend, are said to be untouchable. Any attempt to tap them for palm wine ends in misfortune. The belt of any palm wine tapper daring enough to try is believed to transform into a snake.

Oguntoyinbo recounts another peculiar tradition: “Whenever a visitor comes to see the fish, we throw small pieces of bread into the river. Within seconds, the fish rise to the surface to eat. But if the visitor harbours any doubts or impure thoughts, the fish remain hidden and untouched.”

It is also said that if water from the river is taken for prayers and given to someone with evil intentions, it will have no effect.

The town’s name, Erinjiyan, is deeply tied to the river’s history. Derived from the phrase “Erin river does not argue,” the name reflects the belief that the river stands its ground, choosing its own path and refusing to be influenced by human will.

To this day, no one dares to kill a fish from the river, nor can they explain the many mysteries that surround it. Whether one believes in its supernatural nature or not, the river of Erinjiyan remains a place of wonder, legend and unshakable tradition.