Where Nyipir/Gipir Found His Cows
Located in Ariek chiefdom in Nebbi district, Omyer heritage site was Nyipir/Gipir’s next stopover from Locjudongo as he searched for his cow that kept on straying.
Having seen his cow, he exclaimed: “Nen! Ebedo myero ira ni nwango dhyeng para keni!” meaning “Look, fortunately I have found my cow here!” The place was named “Omyer’’ after Nyipir/Gipir’s exclamation.
Nyipir/Gipir fell in love with the place and invited his people in Locjudongo to come and settle with him in Omyer, also known as Te Got Ageem (literally meaning ‘at the foot of the hill called Ageem). The place is marked by Got Ageem.
While staying at Omyer, Nyipir/Gipir’s cow again strayed in search of pasture and water, leaving its calf behind. Nyipir/Gipir’s children became furious with Adrogo, who tended to the cow, but Nyipir/Gipir pleaded with children to be calm. One day, the cow came back to Omyer to feed its calf. It had mud on its feet. Nyipir/Gipir and his people were impressed by the white soil on the cow’s feet and thought the cow had found a good place where they could live. Nyipir/Gipir told Ulei to guard the cow carefully in case it would go back with the rest of the cattle. Indeed, the cow went back with the rest of the cattle, and Ulei and his team followed the cattle. Others say it was Nyipir/Gipir himself who followed the cattle till he found them on the highland and the place was named “Okoro,” meaning “where the cattle waited for the king,” or “Where the people of Palei guarded Nyipir/Gipir’s cattle.” Others say it is at Okoro that Nyipir/Gipir stopped, having fallen sick. He retreated following his footsteps to Locjudongo.
Another legend holds that the site was named after chief Omyer Amor who succeeded Nyipir/Gipir. Omyer Amor is said to have established a base at Te Got Ageem from where he ruled his people. It is said that the spirits at Omyer [Te Ageem] site are closely linked to Locjudongo and Wang-Lei site