Zamfara State

Understand

Zamfara has an estimated population of 9.8 million in 2011 and occupies an area of 34,284 km². Zamfara is mainly populated by Hausa and Fulani people, with some members of Gwari, Kamuku, Kambari, Dukawa, Bussawa and Zabarma ethnic communities and other ethnic group like Igbo, Yoruba, Kanuri, Nupe and Tiv. It comprises fourteen local government areas. The widely spoken languages in Zamfara are Hausa and Fulfulde while English is their official language. Islam is the principal and major religion in Zamfara while those that practice Christianity are in minority. It is the host for the following tertiary institutions:

Federal Polytechnic, Namoda Zamfara State University Federal University Gusau Federal College of Education (Technical), Gusau Zamfara State College of Art and Sciences, Gusau Zamfara is made up of fourteen local government areas:

Anka, Bakura, Birnin Magaji/Kiyaw, Bukkuyum, Bungudu, Chafe, Gummi, Gusau, Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Maru, Shinkafi, Talata Mafara, and Zurmi

History Over the years, the people of Zamfara have struggled for autonomy, but it was not until 1996 that the then military administration of the Late General Sani Abacha detached the Zamfara State from Sokoto State. The area today called Zamfara state was one of the old state like Kano, Katsina, Gobir, Kabi and Zazzau. The earliest inhabitants of Zamfara were hunters and giants. They established their first settlement at Dutsi which was the first capital of Zamfara. It extends up to the bend of River Rima to the north west and River Ka in the south west. Zamfara Kingdom was established in the 11th century and flourished up to 16th century as a city-state. Its capital has shifted with the fortunes of the kingdom from place to place like Dutsi and Birnin Zamfara. In the first half of the 18th century, its then capital Birnin Zamfara, was destroyed by the Gobir Kingdom and a new capital was established in Anka by the second half of the 19th century. Zamfara had many centers of commerce and

Getting there

By plane Visitors that intend to come into Zamfara by air have to make use of the airport in the state which is in Gusau. 1 Gusau Airport (Gusau Airstrip). Gusau airstrip is serving the region of Gusau and Zamfara state and its longest runway is 4.800 feet/1.463 meters long. (updated Jun 2021)

By bus Many transport companies in Zamfara offer daily services from almost all major cities and States around the country. These transport companies include:

Benue Links Nigeria Limited, Zamfara State Transport Authority Gusau (ZSTA) Motor Park, Tudun Wada, Gusau, ☏ +234 813 642 7099, +234 818 946 9755, [email protected]. Daily 5AM-6PM. Benue Links Nigeria Limited is a government-owned transport company carrying out transport services ranging from inter and intra state shuttles. It has many principle functional terminals in Benue and other states like Zamfara state. Their buses are comfortable and affordable. (updated Jun 2021)

Getting around

The main forms of transportation in Zamfara are buses, carb and taxi. Most transport enters and leaves the city of Zamfara through Gusau Central Motor Park.

See

Gusau is home to a state museum and a branch of the National Gallery of Art. Kwatarkwashi Rock/Natural Spring (Kwatarkwashi, Maru). The rock’s history dates as far back as Kwatarkwashi town itself. Attraction to the rock is hinged on the spiritual significance which the rock possesses. Kwartarkwashi Rock/water spring still attracts visitors from different parts of Nigeria and the world at large. Tourists are allowed to do everything such as: sight-see, relax, climb the rocks, picnic, hunt, fetch or drink from the spring water coming out of the rocks, carry out research, etc but they are not allowed to go in the caves. The caves are out of bounds to tourists. This is because the caves are very deep and dark, and wild animals/reptiles may be hiding in them. It’s advisable to watch the kids closely to make sure they don’t try to live out any Batman fantasy in those caves. It is important and advisable that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes if you plan to go rock climbing. The rock and the history surrounding it, the water spring, and the cool environment are the main features of this tourist attraction. The best time to visit Kwartarkwashi Rock/Water Spring is during 8AM and 7PM when there's enough daylight to enjoy the sights. Kwartarkwashi Rock is a popular place. Its cool and relaxing atmosphere attracts a steady stream of tourists, students, indigenes, visitors from neighboring towns, and researchers. Kwartarkwashi Rock/Water Spring has a blend of everything: nature, history, and magic (if you wish). The environment is cool and relaxing and it almost has a healing effect on you. (updated Jul 2021) Kanoma Hills (Maru Local Government Area). It is approximately 479 metres or 1,571 feet high. During tribal war in 19th century, the hill provided protection to Kanoma hunters who settled on top of who lived right on top of the hill against enemies. It was a major advantage as it meant the enemy forces had to charge uphill to attack them, while they could easily. T

Do

Kokowa Wrestling Festival is one of the major festivals of the Zamfara State. It is an annual festival that is usually celebrated during the dry season in the village square. During this cultural festival, young men engage other young men in a wrestling match in order to show their supremacy over them. The young men who are willing to compete in the wrestling will come out in the middle of the square where they will be commanded to show their strength. The wrestler that first falls the opponent on the ground automatically wins the match and he is rewarded handsomely. The winner of the wrestling match command high degree of respect among his peers and also among women. Spectators hang around the square, charting songs to cheer the wrestler they like up to victory. The Durbar Festival dates back hundreds of years to the time when the Emirate (state) in the North used horses in warfare. During this period, each town, district, and nobility household was expected to contribute a regiment to the defence of the Emirate. Once or twice a year, the Emirate military chiefs invite the various clans in the community for the festival.

Eat

Hoce is a round foodstuff made of maize, millet and many other ingredients. It can be found in local markets or villages.

Drink & nightlife

If you are in Zamfara and you are looking for a bar joint to chill and have a few drinks, you might want to rethink again because consumption of alcohol of all sorts is frowned and prohibited. Any one that defaults by consuming alcohol stand the risk of being flogged publicly.

Go next

From Zamfara, you can go to other states and countries like:

Niger State Kaduna State Katsina State Sokoto State Kebbi State