Rocks are one of the beauties of nature. They offer numerous social and economic potential when maximally utilised – from tourists’ attraction site to relaxation spot; and the list goes on. However, the Kwatarkwashi rock in Zamfara State, seem to lack these features, as successive state governments pay little or no attention to harness the many potential lying fallow in this God-given piece; SHEHU YAHYA writes.
The Kwatarkwashi Rock located in Kwatarkwashi town of Bungudu local government area of Zamfara State is a magnificent rock formation of great beauty. The rock is about 350 metres above the sea level and has a massive landmass of about 1 square kilometer.
The surrounding scenery offers a beautiful natural ambience for inspiration and relaxation. It is one of the most exotic natural rock formations in Nigeria. Its shape and size is amazingly beautiful; climbing it presents both physical and adventurous moments of joy.
According to a local legend, some powerful spirits (jinnu) lived in the rock; thereby forcing some hunters to settle around the foot of the rock and that was how Kwatarkwashi town came to be.
LEADERSHIP WEEKEND findings revealed that Kwatarkwashi settlers in the past use the rock site for worshiping spirits, and the performance of the ceremony called ‘Daukar Maiki’ which was held annually and in which the settlers catch live eagles that are usually presented to the King.
Kwatarkwashi rock is an ideal place for tourists’ excursion, sightseeing, picnicking, bird view and relaxation. Visitors to Kwatarkwashi rock would have the opportunity to see the ‘Baura’ dance which offers some magical tinge: Parts of the body (like the limbs, ears) are cut off and then replaced; they stick back to their positions as if nothing ever happened to them.
In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP WEEKEND, the Emir of Kwatarkwashi, Alhaji Ahmad Umar, who became the second emir of the town after the death of his father blamed the state government for not developing the Kwatarkwashi rock into becoming tourists attraction centre.
The 85-year-old emir lamented that successive governments have been deceiving him and his people, recalling that the state government officials since the time of the old Sokoto State had been promising to develop the area and make it a tourist site, but nothing has since come out of those promises.
According to him, if government harnesses the many potential of the Kwatarkwashi rock, it will not only create jobs for its youths, but also serve as a means of generating fund for the state government as part of its internally generated revenue.
The Emir who has been on the throne for over 50 years thereby called on the government to look the way of the Kwatarkwashi rock as another means of generating fund for the state and create jobs for the youths, especially at a time like this when unemployment has become very alarming in the country.?
A 100-year-old man, Malam Mamman Dan Kiwo , who hunted animals on the rock for over 50 years, said animals like Hyena, grass cutters, antelopes and rabbits were the most common animals on the rock. He also said the biggest cave can accommodate over a thousand people.
He recalled: “In those days, when wars become too serious, we ran into the caves for safety.? We do have seasonal rituals carried out in that cave; that is why you see the emir’s palace at the foot of the rock. But all these things stopped with the coming of Islam. The entire Kwatarkwashi is now Muslims and you know Islam forbids such practices.”
Another beautiful feature of the rock is the spring that runs from it. A traditional barber (Wanzam), Malam Dan Kiwo, gives further insight on the spring from the Kwatarkwashi rock. He said: “At the other side of the rock, there is a village called Kura and the spring water coming from the rock is called ‘Ruwan Kura,’ (meaning water from Kura). From what I learnt, Kura village got its name from Kura in Kano State because it is believed that the settlers in Kura migrated from there. The spring water at Kura doesn’t dry up. It runs throughout the year.”
Hadiza, a 25-year-old resident of the village said; “I enjoy drinking the spring water because it is always very cold.”? She noticed that the water never dries up and is always very clean.
When LEADERSHIP WEEKEND visited the rock, it confirmed the villagers claims to be true the spring water from rock is very clean, while the environment is very suitable for relaxation.