Zuma Rock

Last updated
Zuma Rock
Zuma Rock.jpg
Highest point
Elevation 1,125 m (3,691 ft)[ citation needed ]
Prominence 300 m (980 ft)
Coordinates 9°7′49″N7°14′2″E / 9.13028°N 7.23389°E / 9.13028; 7.23389
Naming
English translationBig rock
Language of name Koro
Geography
Nigeria-karte-politisch-niger.png

Zuma Rock is a large natural monolith, or inselberg, an igneous intrusion composed of gabbro and granodiorite, located in Madalla, a town in Niger State, Nigeria. [1] It is situated in the west of Nigeria's capital, Abuja, along the main road from Abuja to Kaduna, off Madalla, and is sometimes referred to as the "Gateway to Abuja from Suleja". [2] Zuma Rock rises approx. 300 metres (980 ft) above its surroundings. [3] It was once thought to be in the Federal Capital Territory but is actually located at the upper end of Madalla, a rural settlement in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.

Contents

Zuma Rock is depicted on the 100 naira note. [4] It was used for a defensive retreat by the Gbagyi people against invading neighbouring tribes during intertribal wars. [5]

Zuma Rock is very tall by the standards of Nigerian geography. [6] It is taller than Aso rock and Olumo rock combined. [7] [8] Nigeria has a landmark area that covers her natural resources, wildlife and tourist centers. Her landmass miles is 356,668sq while the kilometer is 923,678sq.

Origin

The rock in 1960 Nigerian Public Domain 717.jpg
The rock in 1960

The rock was found in the 15th century by the Zuba people of Niger State, who called it zumwa, which could translate to “a place of guinea fowls”. [10] It had been known that by the 15th century the Kwararafa (Kororofa) had started to spread all over the northern areas of Nigeria. The people of Zuba today were part of the Kwararafa that are called or identified today as Koro. They are part of the Jukun that are in diaspora. The forefathers spread from the Kwararafa empire, travelled to the western direction through Lafia (but Lafia was not there as at that time), then through Keffi area (but there was nothing like Keffi as at that time), then into the old Abuja area which was not in existence then too. But before they reached the Zuma Rock, their soothsayers told them that they are not to settle down permanently until they reached one wonderful rock, far ahead of them. They continued to move approaching the Zuma rock till they came to meet the Zuma rock in the middle of a thick forest. When they entered into the forest, they settled within a mile radius around it and founded settlements like Shinapa (where their leadership was), Chaci, Luki, Esa, Zumwa, Yeku, Huntu, Wagu of the upperland and Wagu of the lowerland. [11]

Local Legends

Zuma rock Zuma Rock - Village.jpg
Zuma rock

Zuma Rock, situated five miles to the south-east of the Suleja, is not only a geological marvel but also a site steeped in local folklore and legends. According to the Gwari people, the indigenous inhabitants of the surrounding area, Zuma Rock holds profound spiritual significance. One prevalent legend among the Gwari people posits that Zuma Rock is a deity, acting as a protective guardian for those residing in its shadow.

Local beliefs attribute healing powers to Zuma Rock, and there exist accounts of individuals who claim to have experienced remarkable recoveries after visiting or praying at the site. These indigenous myths and beliefs contribute to a unique cultural and spiritual dimension, enriching the overall significance of Zuma Rock beyond its geological features.

'Fetish' village

Deep within the dense forest surrounding the rock, there existed a village inhabited by the Koro people, overseen by their chief who serves as the priest of the rock's deity. This deity is associated with a small rock within the village where sacrifices were believed to occur. The inhabitants of this forest village are said to protect the rock, preventing 'outsiders' from reaching it. There was a prevailing belief that no person had ever reached the rock's base due to superstitions and the fear of a curse. Additionally, it was believed that the village itself was hidden from sight. Historically, the Emir of Abuja sent annual sacrifices—a black ox, a black he-goat, and a black dog—to the guardians of the rock as offerings to the deity. These sacrifices were delivered by villagers from Chachi, who were permitted to interact with the guardians due to their shared tribal connections. [13]

During the 1940s, the District Officer of Abuja, the Sarkin Malamai and Sulaimanu Barau, who later became the Emir of Abuja, joined the then Chief of Zuba to visit the rock and the fetish village "to find out the truth about the rock". Locals strongly advised against the journey, cautioning about curses and refusal by the priest to meet with them. The priest was described as an unkempt and naked dwelling person and while the villagers were known for making human sacrifices to appease their deity. Ignoring these cautions, the party began their journey by first visiting Chachi. The people of the village refused to lead them to the fetish village but agreed to show them the directions there. Upon reaching the village, they encountered welcoming inhabitants, who spoke 'proper' Hausa. Unlike the descriptions they had heard earlier, the priest "was just like other men, properly clothed and shaved as we were". When questioned about human sacrifices, he denied knowledge but admitted it might have been practiced in the past. However, he clarified that animal sacrifices were still practiced and were directed towards their ancestors and the spirits of past priests, not to the rock itself. [13]

Modern day

The incredible rock. Zuma Rock.jpg

Several centuries down the line, Zuma Rock still has multiple mysterious stories woven around it. Some natives have tales of unseen evil spirits dwelling in the belly of the rock. Others regard it as a den for ritualists, a hidden temple for initiation into the world of the occult and an abode for daredevil armed robbers who seek temporary refuge there whenever they conclude a successful operation and want to share their loot or when security agencies are on their trail.

Not far from the rock is an uncompleted white edifice known as the Zuma Rock Hotel. Some residents of the area believe that the hotel was a haunted zone, hence it was abandoned by its owners. In the course of exploring the area and trying to fix the jig-saw puzzles of the rock, residents living within the radius of the rock gave varying accounts. Some are of the opinion that the evil spirits had relocated, giving people a respite to now begin farming on the parcels of land near the rock. Yet some residents said the evil spirits were still living in the bowels of the rock and do exhibit strange powers especially during odd hours of the night. [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abuja</span> Capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Abuja is the capital and sixth most populous city of Nigeria. Situated in the middle of the country within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it is a planned city built mainly in the 1980s based on a master plan by International Planning Associates (IPA), a consortium of three American planning and architecture firms made up of Wallace, Roberts, McHarg & Todd as the lead, Archi systems International, and Planning Research Corporation. The Central Business District of Abuja was designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. It replaced Lagos, the country's most populous city, as the capital on 12 December 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)</span> Federal territory of Nigeria

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is a federal territory in central Nigeria. Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, is located in this territory. The FCT was formed in 1976 from parts of the states of old Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, and Plateau states, with the bulk of land mass carved out of Niger state. The Federal Capital Territory is within the North Central region of the country. Unlike other states of Nigeria, which are headed by elected Governors, it is administered by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, headed by a minister, who is appointed by the president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niger State</span> State of Nigeria

Niger is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria. It is the largest state in the country by area. The state capital is Minna. Other major cities are Bida, Kontagora and Suleja. Niger state was formed in 1976 when the then North-Western State was divided into Niger State and Sokoto State. It is home state of two former Nigerian military heads of state— Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar. The Nupe,Gbagyi, Kamuku, Kambari, and Hausa form the majority of numerous indigenous tribes of Niger State, With Nupe been the largest and dominant tribe of the State. Other tribes in the state are Adara, Koro Gungawa, and Hun-Saare. Nupe people are the oldest tribe in Niger State, They are believed to have inhabited the areas their now identified with since time immemorial this have been dated 9,000B.C or 40,000 years ago, thus making them one of the world's oldest civilization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nasarawa State</span> State of Nigeria

Nasarawa State is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria, bordered to the east by the states of Taraba and Plateau, to the north by Kaduna State, to the south by the states of Benue and Kogi, and to the west by the Federal Capital Territory. Named for the historic Nasarawa Emirate, the state was formed from the west of Plateau State on 1 October 1996. The state has thirteen local government areas and its capital is Lafia, located in the east of the state, while a key economic centre of the state is the Karu Urban Area—suburbs of Abuja—along the western border with the FCT.

Suleja is a city in Niger State, Nigeria, just north of Abuja, capital of the Nigeria. It is sometimes confused with the nearby city of Abuja, due to its proximity, and the fact that it was originally called Abuja before the Nigerian government adopted the name from the then Emir Sulayman Bal for its new federal capital in 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Local government areas of Nigeria</span>

Nigeria has 774 local government areas (LGAs), each administered by a local government council consisting of a chairman, who is the chief executive, and other elected members, who are referred to as councillors. Each LGA is further subdivided into a minimum of ten and a maximum of twenty wards. A ward is administered by a councillor, who reports directly to the LGA chairman. The councillors fall under the legislative arm of the Local Government, the third tier of government in Nigeria, below the state governments and the federal government.

The Gbari or Gbagyi are an ethnic group found predominantly in Central Nigeria with an estimated population of 12 million spread in four states, including Abuja, and located in thirty local government areas. It is also the name of their language. Members of the ethnic group speak two dialects. While speakers of the dialects were loosely called Gwari by both the Hausa Fulani and Europeans during pre-colonial Nigeria they prefer to be known as Gbagyi/Gbari. They live in the Niger, the Federal Capital Territory - Abuja, and Kaduna State. They are also found in Nasarawa central Nigeria Area. Gbagyi/Gbari is one of the most populated ethnic groups in the middle belt and indigenous in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. This means Gbagyi people are the bonafide owners of the Nigerian capital city, Abuja.

The Ebira people are an ethnic-linguistic group of North central Nigeria. Most Ebira people are from Kogi State and Nasarawa State. Their language is usually classified as Nupoid and within the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family. Until the separation of Kogi State from Kwara State, Okene was seen as the administrative center of the Ebira-speaking people in Kogi state, located not far from the Niger-Benue confluence. Since the formation of the state, the Ebira Ta'o people are predominantly found in five local governments in Kogi state, namely Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, Okene and Ogori/Magongo. They are also found in large numbers located in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Nasarawa in Toto LGA. Also, the Eganyi are found in Ajaokuta LGA. And the Etuno can be found in Igarra town of Agorimagongo, Okehi and Okene each with their administrative headquarters. Ebira Koto is found in Kogi and Koton Karfe LGA, Bassa LGA, Lokoja in Kogi and Abaji LGA in the Federal Capital Territory, Akoko-Edo LGA, Edo State.

Gwagwalada is a local government area in the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladi Kwali</span> Nigerian potter (c. 1925–1984)

Ladi Kwali or Ladi Dosei Kwali, OON NNOM, MBE was a Nigerian potter, ceramicist and educator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bwari</span> Local government area in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Bwari is a local government area in the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria. The original inhabitants of the town are the Gbagyi speaking people. The paramount ruler is the Esu who is otherwise known as Sa-bwaya. However, with the establishment of FCT in Abuja so many changes occurred; such changes include the turbaning of late Musa Ijakoro as District Head of Bwari in 1976, and his elevation as Sarki of Bwari to the position of a second class status in 1997 by the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory under the then minister, General Jeremiah Useni.

The Suleja Emirate is a Hausa principality in what is now Niger State, Nigeria. The emirate was established as the Abuja Emirate during the 19th century, located just north of the site of the present-day federal capital city named Abuja. When the new city was established, the emirate and its capital were renamed the Suleja Emirate and Suleja. The emirate covers about 1,150 square miles of wooded savanna area. Suleja Emirate, Kontagora Emirate, Borgu Emirate, Agaie Emirate and Kagara Emirate were the major Emirates in Niger state.

The Wukari Federation is a traditional state in Nigeria, a successor to the Kwararafa state of the Jukun people. The state is based in the town of Wukari in Taraba State, in the south of the Benue River basin. The ruler takes the title "Aku Uka".

Umaru Tanko Al-Makura is a Nigerian businessman and politician and also a former governor and senator in Nasarawa State in the All Progressive Congress (APC) ticket.

Madalla is a town in Nigeria near the capital Abuja. It is in between Suleja and Abuja and mostly referred to as Abuja.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pre-colonial history of Northern Nigeria</span>

The pre-colonial history of Northern Nigeria encompasses the history of Northern Nigeria before the advent of European explorers and the subsequent pacification of Northern Nigeria by the British Empire. In pre-historical times, the area known as Northern Nigeria was home to the Kwatarkwashi/Nok culture. Elements of human civilisation have also been discovered around the Niger River near Kainji Dam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gurara Waterfalls</span> Waterfall in Niger State, Nigeria

Gurara Waterfalls is located in Gurara, a local government area of Niger State, North Central Nigeria. The waterfalls is approximately 30 metres in height and it lies on the Gurara River along the Suleja-Minna Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asokoro</span> District in Abuja, Nigeria

Asokoro is an upmarket district in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. The district hosts the ECOWAS Secretariat; the headquarters of the NIA, NFIU, NBC, the FCCPC, and the FHA; the Africa Independent Television headquarters and TVC News Abuja Bureau; the offices of the WHO, the IOM, and the World Bank; the Aso Rock Presidential Villa; about 18 foreign embassies and consulates; and all the state lodges of 36 states of Nigeria. Asokoro borders Abuja Central Area to the north west, Guzape to the south and Garki to the west. It is the doyen of Abuja's districts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sani Musa</span> Nigerian politician and Philanthropist

Mohammed Sani Musa CON is a Nigerian politician and senator from All Progressives Congress (APC) representing the Niger East Senatorial District of Niger State at the 10th National Assembly.

Zuba is a community in Gwagwalada Local Government Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. It is located in the border of Abuja central city and shares the same boundary Madalla with Niger State. Other than being the gateway to Abuja, Zuba is also on a primary highway that connects to Kaduna-Kano as well Kogi State, to major cities of the south.

References

  1. ↑ "Zuma Rock". Holamon.cat. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  2. ↑ Abah, Adah; Chikelo, Chinelo (2016-04-08). "Zuma Rock Losing Its Face". Leadership. Archived from the original on 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  3. ↑ Alofetekun, Akin (2008-05-28). "All Eyes on Zuma Rock". Daily Sun. Archived from the original on 2010-03-23. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
  4. ↑ "Zuma Rock Niger State :: Nigeria Information & Guide". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  5. ↑ According to numerous on-line sources describing Nigeria as a tourist destination, such as "The Power State". National Youth Services Corps. Archived from the original on April 16, 2014..
  6. ↑ "Zuma Rock". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  7. ↑ NzeshI, Onwuka; Telegraph, New (2023-03-28). "Zuma Rock: A Monstrous Home Of Mysteries". New Telegraph. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  8. ↑ "Zuma Rock - Environment Go 2021 - Environment Go!" . Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  9. ↑ ""Zuma Rock" Images – Browse 38 Stock Photos, Vectors, and Video". Adobe Stock. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  10. ↑ "Zuma Rock". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  11. ↑ NzeshI, Onwuka; Telegraph, New (2023-03-28). "Zuma Rock: A Monstrous Home Of Mysteries". New Telegraph. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  12. ↑ "Zuma Rock (Madalla) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go". Tripadvisor. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  13. 1 2 Hassan, Alhaji; Na'ibi, Shuaibu (1952). A Chronicle of Abuja. Abuja Native Administration. pp. 77–78.
  14. ↑ NzeshI, Onwuka; Telegraph, New (2023-03-28). "Zuma Rock: A Monstrous Home Of Mysteries". New Telegraph. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.