Brief History of the Suspended Lake in Oyo The Iyake Lake, commonly known as the suspended lake, is located atop Oke Ado Mountain in Ado-Awaye town. It is a rare natural feature—often described as the only suspended lake in Africa—formed by water collecting in a depression on a rocky hill. � Wikipedia +1 Historically, the lake is deeply connected to the culture and beliefs of the local people. Oral tradition traces the origins of Ado-Awaye to the 1500s, when early settlers established the community on the mountain, relying on the lake as a steady source of water. � FoluOyefeso The lake is surrounded by myths and legends. One popular story explains its name “Iyake” (meaning “crying woman”) as coming from a woman who, due to hardship and mockery over childlessness, jumped into the lake. Since then, it has been believed to possess spiritual powers, especially relating to fertility and answered prayers. Over time, the lake has become both a cultural and tourist attraction, valued not only for its mystery but also for its ecological importance as a natural water reservoir that supports the surrounding environment. � rsis.ramsar.org