Zuma Rock: One of Nigeria’s popular tourist centres
The first time | saw this rock was when i was still a child it was on a naira note, when i asked what this place was | was told different stories. I was too young to see it so i decided at one point to actually go there myself and when i went there based on the stories of evil spirit, kidnappers even heard that there’s a place underneath this rock were you can never come out of. I was scared but with the help of brave friends i was able to follow them believing they’d either save me or I can use them as a shield since they’re fatter than I was. During the tour i didn’t find and supernatural there, no evil spirit I was told to wait till night but i won’t, i still had much to live for.
Most Nigerians and tourist know about this spectacular natural monument. It is mostly know as a mountain but what most Nigerians and tourist do not know are the legends and history behind this mountain.
It is known that this rock is located in Niger State, Nigeria. This same rock was so majestic that it was on Nigeria’s currency, the Zuma Rock was on the old 100 naira note, that’s how known it was but what you didn’t know is this Rock has a history.
The mythical and legendary story that surrounds the rock is that locals have said the rock was used for a defensive retreat by the Gbagyi people against invading neighboring tribes during intertribal wars. It is a rock that possesses facial features with natural contours on the surface which depict the image of a human face with a visible mouth, eyes, and nose.
The natives of the community believe the face represents the deity and ancestral powers protecting and governing the affairs of the community.
The Gbagyi people also acknowledge the rock as a gateway for the afterlife. It is believed that when people die, their spirits go to the rock. Mysteriously, the rock catches fire during the rainy season. The apex of the rock often catches fire and the Natives attest the happenings to the wonders of the deities and voodoo spells.
This rock is old and was found in the 15″ century by the Zuba people of Niger State. This rock had a name, Zuma which translates to “a place of guinea fowls.” It had been known that by the 15″ century the Kwararafa (Kororofa) had started to spread all over the northern areas of Nigeria.
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. The Zuma Rock was the cause of spread during its time it was also acknowledged as a place of prophecy.
Zuma Rock 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. There were even people who believed it had healing powers some individuals claim to have experienced remarkable recoveries after praying or visiting the site. These beliefs enriched the overall significance of Zuma Rock beyond its geological features.
Apart from this testimony there was a saying that deep within the dense forest there was a village inhabited by the Koro people overseen by their chief who serves as the priest of the rock’s deity. This deity was a small rock within the village where sacrifices were believed to occur. The inhabitants were said to protect and prevent ‘outsiders’ from reaching it. At some point in time it was believed that the village was hidden (e don tum garden of Eden). Historical, the Emir of Abuja sent sacrifices, a black ox, a black goat and a black dog to the guardian of the rock as offerings.
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 relocated, 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.
The Zuma Rock apart from a popular tourist centre it has been a god, a healer, a source of refuge, a prophetic place and many more if you ask me with the many names this Rock has been given it deserves a feature article about it.
ETIENAM CHRISTABELLE VIDA.
