Zuma Rock: The African Monolith With A Human Face Worth Visiting!

An igneous intrusion composed of gabbro and granodiorite, Zuma Rock is located in Niger state, Nigeria.

Another yet interesting myth suggests that the Zuma Rock sits on a very large expanse of underground water. it is believed that if the rock is pulled down, there will be an outburst of water which will submerge an unimaginable land area.

Zuma Rock, the monolithic Inselberg with a human face, is located in Madalla, Niger State, to the North of Abuja. It was once described as the unquestionable watchman of the F.C.T. It is the sandy concealment that hangs like a haze over Zuba Town. The other mountains in and around it stay a considerable distance from it, which the Zuba people see as a form of respect being paid by the other mountains to Zuma Rock for its royal presence in the locality.

It is impossible for Visitors and Tourists who come to Abuja not to see this magnificent structure, as it has always been a centre of attraction for them. Although it is located at Madala, Niger State, it has over time become a major symbol of Abuja’s landscape, due to its close proximity to Abuja City. Behind the rock is the Zuma Rock Nigerian Village, which was built to accommodate tourists visiting the rock.

The magnificence of Zuma rock cannot be described with words. But it can be said that, in its presence, the smallness of man is made visible.

Zuma Rock is a very popular landmark in Nigeria. It is 3.1 kilometers in circumference and stands tall at a height of about 725 meters above the surrounding area, which is more than the height of Aso Rock and Olumo Rock combined. At the time FCT was carved out, it was well known that the physical boundary of FCT dissected the Rock, with the larger part falling into Niger State and the smaller part falling into FCT. Therefore, geographically it is in-between Niger State and FCT, Abuja. Generally referred to as the Gateway to Abuja, it stands ostensibly at the Northern end of Abuja, on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.

An igneous intrusion composed of gabbro and granodiorite, Zuma Rock is located in Niger state, Nigeria

Visiting 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.

Here’s why this rock of our forefathers is surrounded by myth and legends.

1. The rock catches fire during the rainy season

Between April and October, natives report that the apex of the rock often catches fire. They attest the happenings to the wonders of the deities and voodoo.

However, Dr. Kistso Ngargbu, a geologist and lecturer at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, notes that: “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 fire came up”.

2. It is said that in those days, a clear audible strange sound of door opening and closing is sometimes heard. And whenever this happens, the news about the death of a well-known person is heard.

3. It is also believed that Zuma Rock is sitting on a very large source of underground water– that if the rock is pulled down, the water that will come out of it shall submerge an unimaginable expanse of land.

4. It has facial features

Zuma Rock has contours on the surface which depicts the image of a human with 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.