Zuma Rock- The Dome with a Human Face

Posted on March 14th, 2011 by Folarin Kolawole

Zuma rock Nigeria_naijatreks

A dusty veil hangs over Zuba town. The Sun had slipped into her night gown of romantic crimson, saying goodbye and goodnight over the jagged skyline of granite inselbergs.

A mighty rock stands bold, undaunted by the coming dusk. It bears a face: one that looks straight ahead, starring at the setting sun.It is never distracted. Since centuries past, her gaze has remained unchanged; a gaze that threatens to swallow its admirer, one that looks you in the eye if you look it in the eye. With a slightly opened mouth, it proudly declares its royal location.

This is Zuma Rock, the ‘monolithic’ rock that marks the centre of our Nation’s landmass with a human face. The massive inselberg which is depicted on the N100 note, is located in Niger State, just north of Abuja (F.C.T.).

It conspicuously appears to swallow the Abuja-Kaduna express way, rising ostentatiously to an height of about 700m. The Zuma Rock Nigerian village constructed behind the rock has constitutes a vantage spot to servour the the wonders of Zuma; it’s also fitted with chalets and other facilities for relaxation.

Zuma Rock remains the unquestionable watchman of the F.C.T. as long as her face remains.

Zuma rock Nigeria_naijatreks

- The Abuja-Kaduna Road appears to disappear into the mighty Zuma.

Zuma rock Nigeria_naijatreks

- Zuma Rock (from Zuba area of the F.C.T.)

 

Zuma rock Nigeria_naijatreks- Zuma Rock with the etched face traced out.

Zuma rock Nigeria_naijatreks

- Turning round the Zuma Rock and capturing it from its south-western flank… one can still the face slightly.

Zuma rock Nigeria_naijatreks

 

Zuma rock Nigeria_naijatreks- Zuma Rock Silhouetted by the fires of Sunset… lovely! isn’t it?

Zuma rock Nigeria_naijatreks

A Video of Zuma Rock

 

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Filed under: Travel, Travelogue

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  • me

    hahahaha!!!! Now i can see it better…… that was what i saw too…just that i thought it was upside – down and that the eyes is where the mouth should be (thought it was an alien).

    Any scientific / layman’s explanation for the etched face??

    Great work Fola, keep at it.

    • http://www.naijatreks.com Folarin Kolawole

      @ me…thanks… well, for now, there’s been no known explanation for the etched face… just one of those wonderous works of nature in Naija!

  • Ella Osondu

    i love the Zuma Rock…always lost in admiration whenever I drive by it….the short movie reminds me of the last time I travelled that road…nice one naijatreks.

  • fisayo ajewole

    bravo!!!

    • http://www.naijatreks.com Folarin Kolawole

      @ Fisayo…thanks for dropping by.

  • Abdullahi

    yeah Zuma has a human face…I have driven past it a million times…lovely article.

  • Togun Adigun

    What is the big story behind this rock?

    • http://www.naijatreks.com Folarin Kolawole

      @ Togun…well, there are different myths behind the Zuma rock, but it has been said that the rock stands at the center of Nigeria and that makes it very important…also, in the past, some people who used to live near the rock complained of hearing some kind of noise from the rock every night. Thanks for dropping-by.

  • http://Www.facebook.com Sandra

    I like the story,pls send me more information

  • ogunmodede oluwatamilore

    It still baffles me about the zuma rock,I was told the human face was annoyed and that was what made me to research about it.please if I may ask
    1)Who annoyed him?
    2)Was he a god?
    3)Was the rock there before or he just entered it?
    Though,this might look weird but pls if you have answers to my questions,pls answer it and I’ll be glad and satisfied

  • http://www.naijatreks.com Folarin Kolawole

    @ Ogunmodede…various myths have been told about the origin of the ‘human face’ etched on the Zuma Rock, and as at today we do not know anyone that perfectly explains what caused the “wrinkle” (annoyance) on the ‘face’. Nevertheless, if we able to place our hands on any useful info, we will let you know.
    Thanks for dropping by.

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  • Miketouristhome

    wow naijatreks,had to travel all the way from Cameroon just to be an eye witness to zuma rock ,long live naija

    • Folarin Kolawole

      Thanks Mike…Zuma Rock is indeed an awesome sight…keep trekking Naija.

    • http://www.naijatreks.com/ Naijatreks

      @miketouristhome…wow! you had to travel all the way from Cameroon just to see Zuma rock? that’s awesome!!

  • Tim Holt-Wilson

    Evidently a major feature of the mythic geography of northern Nigeria – dramatic music conveys a sense of the numinous.

    • http://www.naijatreks.com/ Naijatreks

      @ Tim Holt….yes, I guess you caught the drama I tried painting in the short article…talking about the “mythic geography of the Northern Nigeria”, do you really believe that there is something mythical about the geography of this region?

  • Worldclass princess

    Zuma certainly has a face..but mine is finer…nice geographical site indeed..one of it’s kind..its nice and amazing. Zuma rock should look for a better face like mine!!

    • http://www.naijatreks.com/ Naijatreks

      @worldclassprincess…loll..you’re hilarious…ok we’ll all go to Zuma rock and ask it to go and get a better face, but you’ll be the one to lead the entourage sha…yeah yeah, Zuma rock is indeed one of its kind. Thanks for dropping-by :)

  • Khufu

    That face is a spirit/entity.

    • http://www.naijatreks.com/ Naijatreks

      @Khufu…ehenn,so the face on Zuma Rock is now a spirit? ok ooo :D