Zuma Rock — Attraction in Federal Capital Territory

Zuma rock  is located in Niger state, Nigeria. It rises spectacularly immediately 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". Zuma Rock rises 725 metres (2,379 ft) above its surroundings, It was used for a defensive retreat by the Gbagyi people against invading neighbouring tribes during intertribal warring. Zuma rock is a very popular landmark in Nigeria. As a child from Edo States that grew up traveling to many northern State, daddy had always told us numerous tales regarding the gigantic Zuma rock especially when we drive pass it and mummy tries very hard to show us the human face on the rock. Obviously, we never did see the face then until a day dad deemed it fit to stop by. That moment was what prompted me to write this after several other visits, driving by and of course extensive research… I hope you enjoy what you will read below. Zuma rock is located in Madalla, Niger State some 7 minutes drive from the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. It stands gigantically at an intimidating height of 725m above the surrounding area with an impressive circumference of 3.1km. Interestingly, no other Mountain is standing close to it. Not because there are no Mountains around…. But because they stay at a reasonable distance away paying homage. No wonder the locals then see it an a sacred rock.

Geologically, Zuma rock is a monolith. It stands gracefully at the northern end of Abuja on the Abuja Kaduna express Road. Zuma rock is something known as the “the gateway to Abuja” and due to it popular nature, had been depicted on the one hundred Naira note. In historical times, the rock is used by the gbagyi people to defend themselves.

We call it myth but to the locals surrounding Zuma rock, it is no myth as they still nurses some of these believes till date. One of such might is the geologically masterpiece that looks like the human face which gives the locals the impression that there’s a mysterious power behind the rock.

The myths surrounding Zuma rock was upheld again by the now abandoned 5-star hotel that was supposed to serve as a guest in for tourists. They believed it was the gods of the rock that made it to be abandoned as it frowns at it. This was because the hotel will bring about infidelity close to it. There had been other cases of an attempt been made to make the place a standard resort only to be foiled by the mysterious power of the rock. Another case been mentioned by the locals around Zuma rock is the case of some white men that can to blow the rock off using dynamite only to get stricken by the angered diety of the rock. The last one I can remember is the one that even made wave in our national dailies. A loud sound came out of the rock which possibly was a geologically phenomenon but the locals claimed the gods are angry. These and many more are the myths surrounding Zuma rock. You can find out more from the locals when you get there, they are quite eager to show you how powerful the power behind Zuma rock is. Worthy of mention is the reported cases of rituals carried out around the though the police and elders there denied the idea.

With all these controversies the rock, do people still go Zuma rock? Yes, they know and it one of those places many people want to go. One of the activities that is been carried out here is the rock climbing done mostly by experienced climbers with the right climbing tools. It takes nothing less than 2 hours approximately 3 hours to climb it but when you do…. It is actually worth it. You will have the whole of...

Zuma Rock is a natural wonder located in the Niger State of Nigeria. As one of the most recognizable landmarks in Nigeria, Zuma Rock stands at 725 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest monoliths in West Africa. It is located along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, making it easily accessible to tourists.

Zuma Rock has a rich cultural and historical significance to the Nigerian people. It is considered a sacred site by the indigenous people of the area, the Gwari, who believe that the rock has spiritual powers. It is also believed to have served as a fortress for the Gbagyi people during the pre-colonial era.

The rock itself is quite impressive, rising sharply from the surrounding flatlands. Its surface is dotted with various natural formations, including cracks and crevices, which give it a unique appearance. At night, the rock is illuminated, adding to its beauty and making it a popular spot for photography.

Visitors can climb to the top of the rock with the help of experienced guides. The climb is challenging, but the stunning views from the top make it all worthwhile. The surrounding scenery is breathtaking, with the nearby Zuma River and rolling hills in the distance.

In addition to its natural beauty, Zuma Rock offers visitors a chance to learn about Nigerian culture and history. The nearby Zuma Rock Museum provides an insight into the geology, archaeology, and history of the area.

Overall, Zuma Rock is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Nigeria. Its cultural and historical significance, stunning natural beauty, and challenging climb make it a truly unique and...

There is no precise account pertaining to the origin of the rock, however, Zuma Rock is said to have been first located in a thick forest by the people of Zuba in the 15th century upon the instruction of their soothsayer. The Zuba people named the rock, “Zumwa”, which means “the place of catching guineafowls” upon finding out that there were many within the forest. At their arrival in the forest, they settled around it and constructed settlements, and later discovered the spiritual representation of the rock as a powerful deity. They turned to worshipping and offering sacrifices to the rock to protect them and keep them safe from evil. Over time, the people of Gwari used the rock as a defense and hideout against invading neighboring tribes and external forces.

“If it is after rainfall and a particular boulder or broken pieces of the rock got saturated with water, that’s the contact between heat and the main rock body. In the event that it had to slide because water now serves as a lubricating surface, friction is created. We should remember that our forefathers used to make fire from rocks glided against each other. That is what could have happened. Rain water got to the surface, lubricated the boulder and then generated a sliding probably based on a sloppy surface, and in the event of sliding down the...