China's Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Temple of Heaven

I finally made up my mind, after long deliberation, to visit somewhere different, somewhere...Spiritual.

After shopping for souvenir for friends and family, in the famous Chinese Pearl Market, I resolved to visiting somewhere, a stone-throw away, somewhere if located in Africa, I would be tagged a traditionalist, partisan to voodoo worship, a pagan, or even an occult for visiting such a place. But this Temple of Heaven isn't in Africa, having no diabolic affiliation to our 'supposed' enshrined demigods.

Apparently, the Temple of Heaven, literally known as the Altar of Heaven, built in 1420, is China's largest existing complex of ancient sacrificial buildings and religious worship with a total area of 270 acres. *** "White man Juju is good Juju" they say, "but the black man Juju?" Hmmm...I comment my reserve. You can even imagine how the Altar occupies space.***

DVB's Visit To Bird's Nest Stadium, Beijing

So Dat Village Boy visited the innovative Beijing National Stadium, officially the National Stadium, also popularly known as the Bird's Nest. This landmark architectural masterpiece hosted the 2008 Olympics.

Thrills Of The Abuja Carnival

Interview with Nigeria's Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke

The 2012 Abuja national carnival has come and gone, but its memory will linger for a long time.
The carnival with the theme, ``Carnival of Peace and Harmony’’ was held in Nigeria's capital city of Abuja from Saturday, Nov. 24, to Tuesday, Nov. 27 amid tight security.

Beautiful faces, cool costumes, warm weather and an ecstatic crowd watched the floats of the Abuja 2012 carnival that delivered beautiful and scintillating performances by various colorfully attired Fancy groups representing different states of the federation as the Carnival climaxed.

Tourist Attraction: Cathedral Church of Christ Marina

I was in Lagos from Abuja for my usual work, and so decided to go on a photo tour for my Nigerian friends in diaspora. A way of bringing back blessed memories and linking them back to motherland.

This is one of the pictures I took and a bit History I dug out about the object / subject in the pix.

::Christ Church Cathedral, Lagos, popularly known as the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, is the oldest Anglican Cathedral in the Church Of Nigeria Anglican Communion and also one of the finest of Cathedrals in Africa. It is the seat of the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and automatically the seat of the Bishop of Lagos. 

Established in 1869, Christ Church stands on a prominent position on the CMS (Church Missionary Society) suburb of the Marina, of the Lagos Island, overlooking the Lagos lagoon. 

Its current structure, which was completed in 1946, is the third church built to house its congregation and was designed by Architect Benjamin Bagandogi in a Norman Gothic style. 

The growth of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) since the end of the Slave Trade has been a very rapid one.

History has it that, on April 1st 1839, the first set of returnees who were Christians sailed from freetown for Badagry, a former slave port in Western Nigeria. It was from their new abode that they took the initiative to ask for a missionary from the Welseyan Missionary Society. 

It is interesting to know that within two centuries, Christianity and indeed Anglicanism, which started like child's play in Badagry, and Abeokuta has spread like wild fire to all nooks and crannies of our country Nigeria. 

Although, Christianity came into Nigeria in the 15th century through the efforts of Augustinan and Capuchin monks from Portugal. 

However, it was not until 1842 that Henry Townsend of the Church Missionary Society sowed the seed of Anglicanism properly when he landed in Badagry from Freetown Sierra Leone.

This masterpiece structure has continued to stand out in the midst of the bustling and hustling of markets around Marina, in Nigeria's commercial hub, Lagos.

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Chi Josh

http://www.thecathedrallagos.org/about-the-cathedral.php

Welcome To Zuma Rock

The Zuma rock located near Abuja, Nigeria’s capital state was nominated for the world’s seventh wonders. It’s a famous tourist attraction in Nigeria both locally and international. From far it depicts an image of an African elephant but when close an inscription is seen which keen observers have described to bear a resemblance to a human face.

The image of Zuma Rock is depicted on Nigeria's 100 Naira Note and geographically, it marks the centre of Nigeria.

Local indigenes living around the rock believe the presence of the Zuma rock brings them blessing.

There are mysteries behind the rock. Most of the locals believed that it was the home of powerful spirits. Until very recently, the myth tellers claimed, that any one venturing near the rock will never return.

However, when the reality to this myth was tested by some daring, Russian climbers, they successfully returned unharmed, as conquerors of fear and old age myths.
The ceremony was so captivating that even Senior Government Officials and Ministers of Tourism attended it.

As they say: “Conquering the mountain was as important to the Nigerians as landing on the moon was to the Americans”. From that day on, Zuma has been open to challenges and dare devils.

If you're planning a trip to Nigeria, whether to see a relative, a friend or just to discover the amazing country, there is one thing without which your visit can not be completed. Visiting the Zuma Rock! Gateway to Abuja, Nigeria.

Chi Josh, " The more you see the less you understand; while the more you ask, the less you can comprehend."