Discovery From ‘Zumwa’ to Zuma Rock
By Ahmed Aisha Ibrahim
Considered one of the biggest rocks in Nigeria, Zuma Rock, which is located in Niger State, is considered as the main entrance of the federal capital territory – Abuja from Suleja on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway. It is a natural molten rock composed of gabbro and granodiorite components with 3,691 feet in height.
The iconic Zuma rock image can be found on Nigeria’s ‘N100’bill. The Gbagyi people of ancient times used the rock as their safe haven against any eventuality that threatens their peace. Some locals believe that there are bizarre, weird, and eccentric animals living inside the rock till the present time.
The word – Zuma is derived from ‘Zumwa’ in the Gwari language which depicts a place where guinea fowls are found and caught. It is regarded as one of the very few rocks and mountains in Nigeria with a human face, which signifies the home of spirits according to the 15th-century settlers of the area.
The other mountains in and around it stay a considerable distance from it, which the locals see as a form of respect being paid by the other mountains to Zuma Rock for its royal presence in the locality.
No doubt Zuma has become a household name in the territory since most settlers believe that the Gbagyi people, on getting to the forest where the rock is situated, settled within a mile radius around it and constructed a couple of settlements. When they discovered that the rock had strong spirits, they turned it into a diety of worship, where they offered constant sacrifices and organized festivals in honor of the rock. Thus, within its environment, this rock is regarded as the strongest idol, both for its size and strong spirits.
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Over time, it has been used for defensive purposes by the natives of Gwari against invading neighboring tribes.
It will be interesting to note that the iconic image of Zuma Rock appears on the 100 Naira note as mentioned earlier. It has natural contours which project the image of a human face with a visible mouth, eyes, and nose.
The Rock is twice as high as the Uluru Rock in Australia, and more than four times as high as Nigeria’s tallest building, NECOM House. Zuma Rock reflects a beautiful and special natural rock formation. It provides a good environment for picnicking and relaxation.
It is believed to possess magical powers, which have made enemies powerless and provided the Gwari natives with a hiding place. During the rainy season, the apex of the Zuma Rock catches fire while it’s raining.
It is believed that the Rock sits on a large expanse of water, which if allowed to flow out, has the capability to cover a large portion of land.
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Visitors from all over the country and beyond turned it into a recreational point. They Visit Zuma Rock between April and October, which marks the rainy season in central Nigeria where the rock is situated, would afford you the opportunity of seeing the much-talked Zuma Rock Fire, as the apex of the Rock catches fire under heavy rainfall. Over time, this has remained one of the wonders to behold.
AHMED AISHA IBRAHIM is a
Student of IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA UNIVERSITY LAPAI
Department of MASS COMMUNICATION