A DOZEN FACTS ABOUT THE ANCIENT ZURU
1. The archeological evidence from the Stone Aged material discovered in some of the Ancient Hilltop Towns of Zuru land (Semcilili and Dombo), as reported by Professor A.R Augue in his book, scientifically probed the existence of Zuru People within the central region of the present Zuru Emirate territory, right from the ancient times,
2. The Zuru people were able to develop their own civilization enough to support their livelihood long before the advent of Portuguese slave raiders, Kanta Empire, and the conquest of Usman Danfodio.
3. The Ancient Zuru Land starts from the southern part of Rijau to the north and ended at the River ka (Gulbin ka) forming a vast geographical territory within the area that was considered as Bauchi (South) and the Land of Pagans, by the Northern Muslims of the Usman Danfodio Caliphate.
4. The River Ka, in Zuru Emirate, which is popularly known as Gulbin ka, is the melting pot of two civilizations. This is because it is the terminal point of the ancient spread of the Afro-Asiac group of languages from the northern part of Africa to the South through Sokoto. And also the terminal point of the spread of the Benue-Congo group of languages from the southern part of Nigeria to the North. Thus, the ancient Zuru people, originally from the southern part, belong to the Benue-congos.
5. The aborigines of Zuru land are called Lelna, popularly known as Dakarkari, and they have some split dialects such as Gelawa, Kelawa, Worawa and Gwomfawa who shared in the same origin, culture and tradition.
6. The Lelna people and their splits have mastered the art of survival on the difficult terrain such as the island-bourgas (Hill tops) where the source of water is limited. Which is the reason why they easily excel in the military and remained unconquered until today. Even though many of the Morden days Lelnas have moved down to the plains due to the prevalence of peace in the region, yet there are quite a number of conservative citizens that are still living in those ancient hilltop cities.
7. Lelna and their splits are very hospitable and peace loving people. These can be seen from the way they accommodates people of different ethnicity, tribe and religious, such as Fakkawa who are originally Fulanis from Yabo, Bangawa, who are originally Barebari from Borno and Wasagawa (Katsinawan laka) who are origunally from Katsina, all of who crossed over to Zuru land in the early 19th centuries.
8. The Lelna of Zuru and their splits are just and untribalistic in nature. This can be seen from the way they allowed others the equal opportunity to aspire, participate and prosper in their various aspects of lively endeavours, including the traditional ruling system, trade, religion and politics without discrimination. As such, there has never been a tribal unrest in the history of Zuru Emirate.
9. The ancient religion of Zuru people is the African traditional (ancestral) religion called M’gilo in the Lelna language. But now they are more assimilated in Islam and Christianity.
10. The Ancient Zuru Land was governed by the independent traditional ruling kingdoms, fully autochthonous in nature but united in purpose, before being malgamated by the British government of Nigeria in 1903.
11. In the ancient Zuru, Golmo was the only way of paying Bride-price, which is by serving seven years of farm and other labour in the bride’s family house.
12. In the ancient Zuru, Uhola is the End Of The Year and the harvest festival. It is used to be celebrated on the ancient Hilltop cities of the individual Village States of Zuru land before it was harmonised by The Emir; Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Muhammad Sani Sami, Sami Gomo II to be celebrated on the plains of the Emirate’s headquarter.
