Ene Unravels Zaria
If the name Ene rings a bell, that’s because she did a post for us when she went to Yobe State and Maiduguri. Now shes’s back to dish on her visit to Zaria and finding a Dam which not a lot of outsiders (and even insiders) know of.
Read and enjoy.
Give us a brief description of where you went and what the trip was about.
I went back to Zaria in Kaduna state. I once lived on campus in ABU Zaria. I grew up there.
There were some parts in Zaria I had never been to so since I was in Zaria for Easter, I thought I would put that right. I went to see the Emir’s palace, then we stumbled on the Zaria dam.
Inside the emir’s palace
Zaria Dam
Was accommodation required for this trip? If yes where did you stay and what was it like?
I had accommodation as part of my family still lives in Zaria. But for those looking to visit, staying on campus would be a good idea. There is a place just right by the staff club and another place in the Agricultural department.
If on the other hand, you might like to stay outside the campus, there are also options.
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Most surprising I think was the ease with which we (my siblings and I) could get into the Emir’s palace. It made me wonder why we didn’t go a long time ago. We visited on Easter Monday which was a public holiday. The staff mentioned to us that if we had gone on a working day, we would have met the Emir.
What was your best moment of the entire trip?
I don’t know what it was but there was a sense of pride in discovering a part of the history of the town I spent years growing up in.
What was the scariest moment (if any)?
We visited Zaria dam after the Emir’s palace and the reality of global warming dawned on me and got me concerned. The water is drying up quite fast and a considerable amount of it is gone. The water level is far from what it used to be.
Northern Architecture
Did you find any sights or activities a bit off the beaten track ie beyond the tourist traps?
I would say the Zaria Dam. You have to know exactly where it is. We didn’t, even the man we went with who seemed sure had to ask at some point to confirm we were headed in the right direction.
From this side you can see it drying up
The old architecture of the Zaria city was also appealing. The area where the Emir’s palace is, is called Zaria city.
What are two interesting things about where you went that the average person doesn’t know?
These days, when everyone thinks of Northern Nigeria it’s seen as a part of the country that is in conflict.
It is worth knowing that Zaria is 1) peaceful and 2) it is a city with so many higher institutions of learning. There are too many to count.
Did you meet any locals? If yes, what were they like?
Once upon a time I considered myself a local of Zaria but it is not the same. Everyone I grew up with is no longer there; I know very few people in Zaria. The locals are nice, warm and willing to help.
Artworks in the University
What was the funniest/strangest/most insightful thing a local said?
Insightful – you could have met the Emir if you came on a working day. That showed me how open they are.
What was the hardest or most frustrating part of the trip?
Nothing, it was easy. We knew our way around and went with a man who was eager to make it easier.
Did anything go wrong that seems funny now?
Nope
Did you eat anything locally, if yes, what was your favorite?
Fura…fura and yogurt
Fura is made from millet while nono is milk
If you ate locally, what was the strangest thing you ate
Nothing strange
What were the cost implications of this trip?
Sadly, I can help with this question as it didn’t cost me.
Now that you’ve been there yourself, when you think of your trip what’s the first image that comes to your head?
The coloured stone walls of the Emir’s palace. It makes me imagine the work that went into putting it up.
Would you revisit or ever move there?
I think I answered this already, hahaahha. I could visit again but my time in Zaria has since passed, I doubt if I would move back.
To read more on Zaria please click here and don’t forget to follow her on twitter too. For her personal adventures you can always find her stories on her site.
Have you been to Zaria? What did you think? If you haven’t is it on your bucket list?
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*Reviews are based on opinions and personal experiences, and may differ from person to person
*prices written are based on the time the visit was made and is subject to change by the owners
*images are owned by the interviewed horse