Zuma Rock

Zuma Rock is a large natural monolith, or inselberg, an igneous intrusion composed of gabbro and granodiorite, in Niger State, Nigeria.[1] It is located in the west of Nigeria's capital, Abuja, along the main road from Abuja to Kaduna off Madala, 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 actually located at the upper end of Madalla, a rural settlement in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.

Zuma Rock
Highest point
Elevation725 m (2,379 ft)
Prominence300 m (980 ft)
Coordinates9°7′49″N 7°14′2″E
Naming
Language of nameKoro
Geography
LocationNiger State, Nigeria

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]

The rock in 1960[6]
An image of Zuma rock
Zuma rock[7]

Zuma Rock is very tall by the standards of Nigerian geography.[8] It is over four times taller than NECOM house (Lagos' tallest skyscraper, as of 1979) and it is taller than Aso rock and Olumo rock combined.[9][10]

The Origin

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”.[11] 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 found- ed settlements like Shinapa (where their leadership was), Chaci, Luki, Esa, Zumwa, Yeku,Huntu,Wagu of the upperland and Wagu of the lowerland.[12]

Modern day

Modern day mysteries 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 dare – devil armed robbers who seek temporary refuge there whenever the 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 fixe 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 re- located, giving people a respite to now begin farming on the parcels of land near the rock. Yet, some residents said evil the spirits were still living in the bowels of the rock and do exhibit strange powers especially during odd hours of the night.[13]

Notes
  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" Images – Browse 38 Stock Photos, Vectors, and Video". Adobe Stock. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  7. "Zuma Rock (Madalla) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go". Tripadvisor. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  8. "Zuma Rock". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  9. NzeshI, Onwuka; Telegraph, New (2023-03-28). "Zuma Rock: A Monstrous Home Of Mysteries". New Telegraph. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  10. "Zuma Rock - Environment Go 2021 - Environment Go!". Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  11. "Zuma Rock". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  12. NzeshI, Onwuka; Telegraph, New (2023-03-28). "Zuma Rock: A Monstrous Home Of Mysteries". New Telegraph. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  13. NzeshI, Onwuka; Telegraph, New (2023-03-28). "Zuma Rock: A Monstrous Home Of Mysteries". New Telegraph. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
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