Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site Entrance Fees

In this article, we look at Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site Entrance Fees. Situated northwest of the town of Migori, in the Lake Victoria region, this dry-stone walled settlement was probably built in the 16th century CE.

Thimlich Ohinga means “frightening dense forest” in the Dholuo language. Thimlich Ohinga is the largest, and best preserved and is gazetted as a national monument. A third of the ground is covered by enclosures. The property comprises four larger Ohingni, all of which have extensions. The main Ohinga is referred to as Kochieng, while the others are Kakuku, Koketch, and Koluoch. The dry stone wall enclosures are constructed in a three-phase design with separately built-up outer and inner phases, held together by the middle phase. Stones were placed in an interlocking system that enhanced overall stability without the use of any mortar or cement. The walls are built of neatly arranged stones of various sizes and without mortar, ranging from 1.5 m to 4.5 m in height, with an average thickness of 1 m. A similar style of construction is found in the Great Zimbabwe, a stone structure from which the Southern African country draws its name. It can also be compared with the walled cities of the Middle East in Jordan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, and the Surame Cultural Landscape in northern Nigeria.

While the exact purpose of Thimlich Ohinga is still debated, it is thought to have had various functions, including a defensive fortification, a livestock enclosure, and perhaps a ceremonial site. Other important activities also took place at the site including exchange of goods, farming, and veneration of the gods. The site, therefore, functioned as a small urban centre, combining administrative, social welfare, and economic activities or functions. These functions continued until the last groups occupying the site broke from the traditions when colonial rule interfered with their systems. The abandonment of the site then became inevitable, leaving it as a place for occasional visits to commune with the ancestral spirits.

Despite being built without mortar, the expansive structure, on a 52-acre piece of land, is still standing, except for a few sections destroyed by weather, and human and animal activities. The dry stone wall structure was gazetted as a national monument in 1981. Thimlich Ohinga was also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018. This recognition highlights its cultural significance and the need for its preservation. Thimlich Ohinga is one of the leading tourist attractions on the Western circuit. Its strategic location is a perfect stopover for those on their way to or from the nearby Ruma National Game Park, Gogo Falls, or the Macalder gold mines.