Community dreads potency of Crater Lake in Plateau
By Martha Agas
Tourism
Jos, April 8, 2018 (NAN) A tourist, Mr Thomas Artu, says a Crater Lake, Am-Pidong, in Ampang West of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau, is dreaded for abducting people if it is not appeased.
Artu, the Public Relations Executive of Plateau Tourism Corporation, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Sunday.
He said the Crater Lake was being developed as a tourist site in Plateau.
“There are great folk tales handed from generations to generations about the Crater Lake and its significance.
“An olive tree located at the edge of it is believed to be so sacred that nobody dares to climb the tree without throwing seeds to the lake.
“To avoid being abducted by the Lake, you have to seek permission before plucking the black fruits.
“And when you do, the first seven darkest seeds must be thrown into the lake else the climbers gets stuck up,” Artu claimed.
According to him, the lake is believed to be the only the one in West Africa that retains water, but does not release it to any channel.
“Myths say that even when you fetch its water in a container, it does not flow to any channel when it is being poured,” he said.
NAN reports that a guided tour, which also coincided with the community’s annual `Yaghal Kopshu Festival’, was held on Saturday as part of the 2018 Jos Easter Carnival.
Mr Mitaive Temine, a participant of the guided tour from the Wayfavers Tour group, said he was impressed with the architectural design of the houses in the community, saying it is unique despite being constructed with indigenous items.
He urged the state government to make roads leading to the lake more accessible to tourists, saying the gesture will generate more revenue for development projects and attract local and international tourist developers to invest in the sector.
Miss Rabiat Usman from the Jos Hike group, commended the community for their hospitality, saying the friendly environment will shore up the number of tourists to the area.
NAN reports that the Crater Lake formed as a result of volcanic eruptions covers an area of 0.5 hectares.
It is estimated to be 11km deep and has never dried up within the West Africa sub-region. (NAN)
MAA/OFN/MST
Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Muhammad Suleiman Tola