“Zimbabwe” in Nigeria: A Beehive of Touristic Activities.

The popular Zimbabwe Tourist Village found at Uke in Nasarawa State, along Abuja-Keffi Expressway, began as a palm wine joint, at a detached location over twenty-five years ago before it was relocated to its current place, as its former location could not contain the influx of visitors who came to enjoy at it.

The Tourist Village was named Zimbabwe by a former school teacher who was fond of the place decades ago. According to one Dan Masani of Uke, nicknamed Lo-Africa Vani, the former school teacher who was also a non-indigene that taught in one of the secondary schools in the village, would jokingly tell his colleagues that he was going to “Zimbabwe” to enjoy himself. That was how the name of the place was known as Zimbabwe.

At Zimbabwe, there are also petty markets where palm wine and burukutu are sold. The palm wines are supplied fresh to dealers by the palm wine tappers. The palm wines are usually without adulteration.

Today, the tourist village has grown in heaps and bounds. Its landmass has grown into hectares, and it houses over 300 shops. It is also still booming with its original pride, palm wine. As early as 6am on a daily basis, palm wine tappers are already at business. The retailers buy from them and sell to consumers and visitors who want to relax in the village. A litre of palm wine is about N300. Other food items being sold at the centre are bush meats (both prepared and raw), pepper, yam tubers, food stuffs, tomatoes, live fowls, roast chicken to mention but few. Beers, soft drinks, whisky, red wine as well as pounded yam and other African dishes are sold.

Zimbabwe Tourist Village is located close to a quiet following river. This made the place fun for fishing, swimming and even bird viewing. Many tourists do go there to catch fun. The whole settings of the environment are all natural and highly ventilated.

The Zimbabwe Tourist Village, Uke, is always a beehive of activities at festive periods and weekends. At least, ten thousand holiday makers visit it at weekends alone. A handful of tourists also rest at it on daily basis.

A holiday maker, Ando Yusuf, whom was met there, said he does visit Zimbabwe to while away time anytime he was on work break, because the environment was conducive and natural. The abundance of fresh air, fresh fish, fresh palm wine and roast chicken has always been the enticing factors.

It is amazing to know that the Zimbabwe Tourist Village has a state capital called Swamphill Harare. A worker at the place, James Ina, said Harare is akin to a State Capital. Swamphill Harare is unique and serves as the home of the influential people that come to Zimbabwe. Because of this, things sold at the capital city-Swamphill Harare have some minute difference in price to the ones sold at Zimbabwe. The Swamphill Harare is mainly for the elite class.

The Zimbabwe Tourist Village has hosted a large number of visitors and is still seen as a place for relaxation due to the pure African hospitality it gives to every visitor.

The amazing story of Ara Rock

No doubt, Nasarawa state has always attracted many holidaymakers nationwide. The      reason is not only because it is a peaceful state, but also for the fact that it is the ‘Home of Solid Minerals’. The state is richly blessed with abundant mineral resources, like marbles as well as various tourist sites capable of boosting Nigeria’s eco and cultural tourism. Nasarawa state is multi-ethnic. Research indicates that there are about thirty ethnic groups in the state alone, each exhibiting their distinctive languages and cultures. Among them are Ebira, Eggon, Marma and Gbagyi. One of the most fascinating and important structures which could catch the interest of any visitor to Nasarawa state is the Ara Rock. Located at the heart of Nasarawa local government area of the state, the Ara Rock has had its share of tales from mysterious ones to the most fascinating.

The Ara Rock is highly linked to the tradition. The natives do not seem to let out its mysteries to strangers and researchers with ease. And there lies its tourist essence. In fact even to catch a glimpse of it, a non-native must be identified by a prominent native as well as a clear definition of the objective of such research. Whatever criterion that one uses to get to the surroundings of the rock, one dare not go very close to its foot.

“You can’t get very close to the rock. It has been like that from the time immemorial,” a source had told this researcher.

Even the Madagi, by name Gbagudu, who is currently serving in the chief’s cabinet, cautioned against going to the foot of the rock.

The history of Ara Rock holds that a certain hunter named Akwa Chidodo was the first person to inhabit it. It was from the rock the he carried out his hunting expeditions. He was reputed to have used his marksmanship in hunting to become very popular in and around Ara as long as he lived. After his demise, his son, Ojila, took over and continued the hunting. Ojila stayed in the rock with his people where they later made him king of the place. He was reputed to be the pioneer king of the people. His era was characterised by wars, and it was before the coming of the Europeans.

It is said that the rock provided the natives the refuge during those wars. In March every year, sacrifices are conducted on the rock to appease the gods to avert calamities for the natives and also to attract success to them. Goats and cows are always slaughtered during the festival. It is always a beehive of activities. During this festival, young men and women do run to the outside and inside the village, brandishing wooden swords and knives similar to what gladiators exhibit during wars. The essence is to keep and maintain peace. Also, it is at this festival that it is said that a spirit climbs the Ara Rock and then lands on the ground unhurt. It is a part of their tradition that their chiefs provide them with goats and cows for the festival. After the celebration, the people are then assured of a problem-free year.

There are mysterious holes at the rock which no one can enter, except the Dansarki and the Magajira, who are the male and female core adherents respectively. They usually enter the holes during the slaughter of the animals used for sacrifices. It is said that the people who had entered there in the past used to disappear.

The Ara Rock, surrounded by miniature rocks and evergreen vegetation, is an untapped tourism potential of Nasarawa state. The road leading to the village depicts that of the Golgotha where Jesus treaded upon. It is stony and galloping. The villagers call for relevant authorities to come to their aid to make the rock a befitting tourist centre.

MY LOVE FOR CALABAR CARNIVAL

If you could ever miss out on any event, be sure never to miss the famous and largest street party carnival in Africa- the Calabar Carnival and Festival.

The 2017 event which happened to be the 13^th edition of the carnival is an aesthetic to behold, as the major roads in Calabar were lit up with shades of flamboyant colours which are traditionally followed by soul-enriching music and entertainment.

The Calabar Carnival and Festival which has sudden grown over the years to become Africa’s largest and most successful tourist destination brand in Nigeria, has some intriguing features to reckon with:

1.      The Calabar Carnival has so far served as avenue for relaxation and fun-fare, where one could ease off all the bustling and hustling activities one encounters in everyday business and office life. You can’t imagine the exceptional excitement that follows as bands from different countries take the stage to entertain audience. Wow! It’s just a place where you get amused and forget your worries!

2.      The 2017 edition was more of a melodramatic account of the consequences of migration. The shows at the event tend to reconstruct the story of Africa, telling a very touching story as it relates to migration, to educate the youths of today that Africa still remains a place to harness their potentials; and that there is no place like home.

3.      It’s a pure cultural shows and dynamism. The Carnival offers platform for performers from across the world to thrill and entertain the audience.

International cultural dancers and drummers from various participating countries fill the audience with some exhilarating happiness with their unique and extraordinary performances.

No doubt, there are some shows of cultural affinity as well among participating countries of the world. This tends to say that culture is unique and dynamic.

4.      It’s the largest street Carnival in Africa that draws many spectators including pop stars and other top celebrities from all over the globe. As an international event, it has drawn interest from various countries like Brazil, Ghana, Swaziland, France, Italy, South Africa, Kenya, etc. hence making the streets of Calabar beehive of human activities for the one month-long event.

5.      The Carnival has also over the years proved to be a fertile platform for brand visibility and market awareness. The carnival serves as avenue for music performances from both national and international artists. It also serves as avenue for fashion shows, beauty pageant; and a good ground for business networking.