2026-10-09T10:22:32+00:00 Zend_Feed_Writer https://www.nigeria.archivingafrica.com/ Nigerian Cultural Heritage https://www.nigeria.archivingafrica.com 2020-12-01T01:10:00+00:00 2022-07-27T03:08:58+00:00 https://www.nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/329 Andrew Devlin The Tinubu Square is one of the most popular places in Nigeria. The Tinubu square is located in the middle of the commercial centre of Lagos Island, Nigeria. The square is a high tourist attraction for Lagos State, and it also goes by the name of Independence Square, a name given to the landmark by the leaders of the First Republic. The square is two thousand square meters. The name Tinubu derives from the woman, Madam Efuntoroye Tinubu. Madam Efuntoroye Tinubu was a very wealthy woman, and some regard her as a Rockefeller of Nigeria. She started with trading tree bark, which made her a wealthy aristocrat. She then married a Nigerian king. As Madam Efuntoroye Tinubu stayed out of politics, she made a fortune in the slave trade business. She owned over three hundred slaves herself. As England outlawed slavery, Tinubu still supplied a large flow of slaves to the Americas. Eventually England sent a force to arrest Tinubu and shut down the trade of slaves out of Nigeria. Tinubu fought back the English forces in the mid 1850’s and up until her death in 1887. After the English ban of the slave trade, Madam Tinubu moved her wealth into the salt and arms trade. Madam Efuntoroye Tinubu is a symbol of the fight against colonial power of Nigerians. In the Tinubu Square there is a monument of Madam Efuntorotye Tinubu. It is believed the Madam Tinubu donated the two thousand meter piece of land that is now the Tinubu square. The square has a multitude of purposes. Tourists can relax, or they can engage in recreational activities. The first structure that was built in the square was the Court of Assizes. Eventually the court was taken down and a large water fountain was out in place. The fountain commemorates the Independence of Nigeria. The “Wings of Liberty” is a statue also dedicated to the independence of Nigeria, more specifically the state of Lagos in 1960. There is a cenotaph for Madam Efuntorotye Tinubu in the Tinubu park. It celebrates Tinubu’s impressive work of wealth and her fight against the British Empire. There is also a statue of Madam Tinubu in the square. It stands tall and is a beautiful piece of artwork that represents leadership and entrepreneurship, the two qualities that made Madam Tinubu historic in Nigeria. Another statue is of a man laying down reading a book. The title of the statue reads, “Knowledge is Power”. The statue represents how important education is. Next is a statute of a blind drummer and a dancing woman. Kokoro was a popular Saka drum player and singer. He was well known in the 1970’s by going from place to place providing entertainment for the people of Lagos Island. The Tinubu Square is a very beautiful and safe place to visit. There is a twenty four hour power supply that illuminates many lights during the night. Many police officers occupy in and around the park, along with regulating commercial activity around the square, as it is in the heart of the commercial district. Governor Ambode stated that “Lagos State government will continue to use artistic facilities such as the Tinubu Square and others to be constructed across the state to showcase our positive attractions and create a must-visit appetite for both domestic and foreign tourists”. The Lagos state officials want to preserve the rich culture for the future generations. This was a major reason as to why Tinubu Square was created. Madam Tinubu has been credited for putting Lagos on the commerce map of the world. Many tourists arrive in Lagos every year to see the Tinubu Square due to its rich connection with the culture of Nigerian History. For more (including 5 images), view the original article. 2020-11-22T19:34:50+00:00 2022-08-02T00:10:19+00:00 https://www.nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/328 Andrew Devlin The National Commission for Museums and Monuments proposed the Oban Hills in Nigeria to be declared a World Heritage Site. The proposition was submitted back in 1995. The Oban Hills are located in the Cross River National Park. The Oban Hills have many different attractions. The attractions range from animals, plants and the geography of the park. The Oban Hills terrain has a ton of varience. Hills range from one hundred meters while in other areas near the river valleys they can be as tall as one thousand meters. The Oban Hills have a large amount of plant and animal life. Many of the plants in the Oban Hills area are not well known by people and scientists. This is due to the massive amount of biodiversity in the Cross River Park. People from all over the world have been visiting the Oban Hills for that reason. On the border of the Oban Hills Division, there is another national park. The Korup National Park borders the Oban Hills. The Korup National Park is in the Republic of Cameroon. To have another large park border another park is very crucial to the preservation of the area. The Oban Hills is a biodiversity hotspot. The environment in and around the hills is very suitable for birds, and over three hundred and fifty bird species have been recorded. The Oban Hills is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests that is considered a biodiversity hotspot. There are over a dozen primate species in the park. The Xavier’s Green Bull is found in the Oban Hills, and is only found in one other area in Nigeria. The amount of snake species exceeds forty. African Forest Elephants which are considered endangered, are found in the Oban Hills. There are over seventy mammal species. The number of mammals is slowly decreasing due to the hunting of primates for their meat. Around fifteen hundred plant species have been found in the division. Along with all of the plant and animal diversity, the Oban Hills is also known to be the richest area in Africa for butterflies. Historians think that at one time there were many people living in the Oban Hills area. They also think during the slave trade, the numbers of people living in the division shrank due to its close proximity to Calabar. As many slave trading companies in Calabar took people from the interior, is it very likely that they took people from the Oban Hills. While this area of Africa is very beautiful, humans are starting to make a negative mark on the surrounding areas of the Oban Hills. Big farms consisting of oil palm, pineapple, and rubber are becoming popular in the area. These farms and plantations lead to massive illegal logging to clear areas for farms, despite legal action to protect these areas. The amount of fishing and hunting is rising every year due to farmers moving farther inland on the reserved areas. Local communities allowed hunters and farmers to gain a big amount of forest land. Around two hundred and fifty kilometers have been allowed to be farmed and hunted on. There is a lot of money to be made by the sale of the meat from Chimpanzee and Drill, as they are considered endangered. The Ekuri community set up a Forest Project that helped park officials with the management of the park. Villagers are being taught how to harvest food from the forest without damaging the ecosystem. Government officials are starting to enforce the illegal hunting and logging that occurs in the park. As one of the most biodiverse forests in Africa, it is very important to Nigerians that it is preserved. For more (including 5 images), view the original article. 2020-11-18T01:58:50+00:00 2022-08-02T00:15:47+00:00 https://www.nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/327 Andrew Devlin There are countless artifacts scattered throughout abandoned Yorubaland. Sacred Groves were created by the Yoruba. These Sacred Groves were built in every town throughout Yoruba communities. The Yoruba population numbers just under fifty million people. Over time many of these Sacred Groves were affected by the urbanization of local areas. Without continuous upkeep of the Sacred Groves, much of them are very hard to recognize. Osogbo is the capital of the Osun State. The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is located here. The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is still revered, and is the largest Sacred Grove to have survived. The last remnants of the primary high forest is found in the dense forest of the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. The grove is named after the river goddess Osun. forty shrines were built in the forest along the meandering river. These shrines included artworks and sculptures. Mostly created in the past forty years, the Osun Sacred Grove contains nine worship points, five sacred places and two palaces. The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is very different from most other groves throughout the Yoruba community. The Grove is “defended” by the goddess of entrepreneurship. Since it was built recently, it includes a large twentieth century sculpture that was built to strengthen the connection between the Yoruba pantheon and people. In the Shrine there is a stone stool that is over five hundred years old. The restoration of the grove had a major impact on the Yoruba people. The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is now the highest sacred grove for the Yoruba people. Worship in constantly taking place at this grove. A festival that occurs every year takes place at the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. This festival reconnects bonds between people of the town and the goddess. The festival lasts twelve days in July and August. The grove also has another very special role. Within the grove are around four hundred different species of plants. About two hundred of these plants are used in herbal medicine in the surrounding community. The grove is around seventy five hectares. “The sacred grove, which is now seen as a symbol of identity for all Yoruba people, is probably the last in Yoruba culture". The Yoruba folklore explains the goddess of fertility named Osun, and the story of Osun is very interesting. There was a fight between one of the wives of “Sango '' and Osun which led her to change herself into the River Osun. The deity is considered to live in the river which still makes the grove sacred. The grove is said to have been discovered by an elephant hunter. Osun then made a deal with the people which he vowed to protect the people only if they built a shrine for her and to also protect the grove. The belief in Osun and the shrine is very strong and deep within the Yoruba culture. Annually at a Osun festival, the amount of people that attend exceeds one hundred thousand. Many bring offerings and carry out sacrifices for Osun. If women were barren they would often visit the Osun shrine for blessings. The Grove was declared a national monument in 1965, and all 75 hectares are protected under the Nigerian Cultural Policy of 1988. For more (including 5 images), view the original article. 2020-11-13T01:42:40+00:00 2022-08-02T00:24:29+00:00 https://www.nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/326 Andrew Devlin The Idanre Hill is an amazing natural landscape. It is located about twenty four kilometers southwest of Akure. Akure is the capital of the Ondo State, Nigeria. For one hundred years the Idanre people have lived around the ancient Idanre Hills. The geography of the hills have played a crucial role in the Idanre community. The Idanre Hills is highly regarded on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The immense scenery the hills offer are incredible. The town of Idanre is almost totally surrounded by these massive hills, on which people of Idanre used to live. Old Oke-Idanre is the main attraction of the Idanre Hills. This is where the Idanre community originally settled. What is left behind are old mud buildings which are slowly decomposing. “Attesting to the architectural taste of the old Idanre people, the old magistrate court, the first primary school, the Oba’s palace, and the market square hold their original place and location at Odeja Village, Old Oke-Idanre.” The way the Old Idanre relocated is very interesting. The Idanre people descended from the hills and settled at the foothill of the Idanre town. The Idanre people built the current town almost identical to Old Idanre. Also, during the building of the current Idanre location, families were allowed to keep their ownership of their family household in Old Idanre. The Idanre people have a very strong tie to their culture and history. This is a major attraction that brings in tourists from all over the world. The hills are a staple in the people of Idanre. No matter where one looks, the hills are always in the vast background. Many people from around the world travel to see the hills of Idanre. Many say those who visit feel a great feeling while in the middle of the various hills. “Basically due to its perceived mystical aura and the giddy excitement lovers of nature get when they surmount the steep, daunting climb to the top, to witness a spectacular view of the new town and adjoining hills in a breath-taking manner.” There is a breathtaking view from the top of the hills as one can look down and see the town of Idanre. For many decades the plant and animal life have been studied by scientists. As one climbs up to the Old Idanre location, they have to top over six hundred and fifty steps. Every May, all the Idanre families climb the steps up to Old-Oke Idanre. The families then sleep in their old family house for a week. Many natives of the town travel from very far away to take part in this annual Orosun festival. “Bat-hunting expeditions to the largest and most dreaded and revered caves on the hills- Owa and Ojomu caves as well as spiritual cleansing of the ancient town and sacrificial offerings to Orosun- the god of the highest peak on the hills.” There are many different famous landmarks in the hills that tourists can visit. One is “The Ark of Noah’. This landmark is a wooden structure that resembles a boat. The ancient structure rests upon a flat opening on top of one of the hills. The Idanre people believe that it is the biblical account. The “Unreadable Letters of the Flood” is also a very famous landmark. The indigenous writing states “a white man cannot decipher a chicken's writing”. The most famous attraction to the hills is the Agboogun footprint. This is told to be a human footprint which is actually carved on a rock surface. The footprint was used to determine if a person was a witch. The footprint was to fit everyone's foot except those of witches. The Idanre people and location are both a very incredible feat of nature. The history of this area is rich and endless. For more (including 4 images), view the original article. 2020-11-08T17:03:16+00:00 2022-08-02T00:31:29+00:00 https://www.nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/325 Andrew Devlin The city of Arochukwu, is one of the biggest cities in the Abia State, Nigeria. The Long Juju Shrine is located in Arochukwu. This shrine is full of beauty and is known for its important history. The Long Juju Shrine was used to judge criminals for the crimes they commited. During the Atlantic slave trade era, the Long JuJu Shrine was at the height of its power. “At the height of its powers was the most powerful deity in Igboland”. The Shrine was controlled by a chief and members of the cult. This is the main oracular shrine of Ibn Ukpabi and by which stands as if on guard the cult statute of Kamalu "the warrior god". The interworking of the Shrine was very complex. The person at trial walked into the temple complex and prepared to face judgment from the god called Chukwu. The throne of judgment was located inside the Shrine complex, also known as the dark presence. If one was found guilty they would have to walk into the dark tunnels. If one was found innocent they were brought back to their relatives. The Long Juju Shrine acted as a final judgment and a supreme court. There were no appeals to the decisions made in the Shrine. As one would be found guilty, they were told to strip of their clothes as they made their way into the tunnels. The clothes of the guilty created the “hill of rags”. The Long Juju Shrine is also connected to the slave trade. As those found guilty disappeared into the dark tunnels a red color was shown in a stream of water nearby. This would show relatives that their guilty relative was killed as punishment. What would really happen was totally different. The tunnels that the guilty would walk through were a kilometer long. Instead of being killed, the guilty were led down to the end of the tunnels. At the end of the tunnels were boats waiting to take the guilty to Calabar. This is when the guilty became slaves. The Long Juju Shrine conducted its role in the slave trade during the 17th century up until the 19th century. During the British assault along and around the River Niger, the Long Juju Shrine became very important for the surrounding kingdoms. As many tribes and kingdoms fell to the British, the Shrine brought communities together. The shrine became an apex court for peoples east of the Niger river. The influence that the Shrine had on people grew very large during this time. As the Long Juju Shrine was at its peak, some members of the Shrine moved to other kingdoms and communities to the south, which grew the influence of the Long Juju. The amount of slaves being trafficked through the Long Juju Shrine was at its peak during this time. Due to the vast influence the Shrine had reached, guilty peoples from dozens of communities were brought from far lands up to the Long Juju for judgement. With huge amounts of profits coming in, the cult used this to set up satellite shrines in far communities. This brought in even more revenue due to the higher number of people that were sold as slaves. “With the Long Juju network already established, trading posts and slave quarters with satellite shrines were set up in different villages all over the region.” For more (including 3 images), view the original article. 2020-11-07T16:19:37+00:00 2022-08-02T00:52:48+00:00 https://www.nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/324 Andrew Devlin The Ogbunike Caves are some of the most beautiful historical landmarks in the Anambra State. Surrounded by a tropical rainforest, the Ogbunike Caves are a natural wonder. “The Ogbunike caves, described by geologists are millions of years old, and are the yet undiscovered cash cow of Anambra.” The caves are said to be discovered by a man named Ukwa from the Umucheke family of Ifite-Ogbukine around four thousand years ago. Legends state that the deity Ogba created the caves and still live inside of them. An important spiritual heritage within the caves dates back many years before the first Europeans made their way onto Nigerian soil. The caves's great darkness was a place of worship for many locals for hundreds of years. Many locals and indiginous peoples still arrive at the caves to pray and worship. This is due to the various phenomenons that occur in the caves. The caves are a major tourist attraction for people visiting the Anambra State, as it is becoming more popular and well known. There are actually a vast amount of caves all connected by a network of big tunnels that make up the Ogbunike Caves. The Ogbunike Caves have served various purposes over time. “In the latter months of 1968 and 1969, when hundreds of people hid in the dark to escape the perils of the Nigerian Civil War, the Ogbunike Caves presented many options.” During the time of the Atlantic slave trade the Ogbunike Caves were used by slave traders. Slave traders would hide in the caves and plan out their lucrative raids on villages in surrounding areas. In the 1990's the government created an easy access entrance to the caves consisting of over three hundred steps. The main cave in the beginning is quite large. Almost two stories high and around forty feet wide. In the main chamber there are ten tunnels all leading in different directions. Many tourists are shocked to see the massive colonies of bats that live inside the caves. The bats are harmless as they stand guard of the caves wonders. Some of the tunnels and caves also have streams of water that run through them. The River Nkissa is connected by one of the streams from the caves. The water in and around the caves is thought to be divine by spiritualists. Spiritualists also visit these caves to collect water that falls from the top of the caves. It is thought to be considered healing water. On the trip deep into the caves tunnels, at some points visitors have to crawl their way through. At one intersection of tunnels, tourists can choose to see “talking stone”. “The Indigenes call the talking stone ‘Nwanyi Akpanyi’”. The Ogbunike caves are very different than many naturally occurring underground structures and they are getting more popular as each day passes. Tourists have to be very respectful as they arrive at the caves. Rules and provisions are reviewed before entry into the caves. One major rule is that you cannot leave the caves by the same entrance you come in. The rule is highly enforced and there are no exceptions. Also all visitors need to take their shoes off upon entering the cave. Once a year the locals hold the Ogbe festival. This festival celebrates the spirits and caves. Around the caves are about two hundred meters of thick tropical rainforest. There is a large amount of wildlife surrounding the caves in the rainforest. This also adds to the beauty of the caves and area around them. In 2013, the movie series Idemili was shot at the Ogbunike caves. The UNESCO added the Ogbunike caves to their World Heritage consideration list in 2007. For more (including 5 images), view the original article. 2020-11-02T17:47:41+00:00 2022-08-04T04:05:27+00:00 https://www.nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/322 Lauren Elizabeth Pisarek The Nok Archaeological Site is located in the Nok village. It is listed as a cultural heritage site. The Nok village is governed by the local Kaduna State Nigerian government. The village is located in the Sahel region in West Africa thus, the resources allowed the Nok people to create these figurines. It is specifically located in central/northern Nigeria. The village was inhabited between 1500 BCE to 50 CE, during the Iron Age. One source claims that “Nok culture, also called Nok figurine culture, ancient Iron Age culture that existed on the Benue Plateau of Nigeria between about 500 BCE and 200 CE” (Nok Culture Britannica 2019). The Iron Age followed the Bronze Age where humans began to utilize iron to create tools and other artifacts. For other civilizations like the Greek, the Iron Age represented a time of ‘cultural decline’. It is said the villagers ‘vanished’ in 200 CE. The Nok are the earliest ancestors of modern-day Ham people. In 1928, tin miners rediscovered this ‘lost’ village. Therefore, Nok culture existed over 2000 years. Miners found life-sized terra-cotta figurines which revealed human inhabitants in the area. Another source propounds that “historians and archaeologists refer to this culture as the Nok culture because artifacts were first discovered near the modern Nigerian town of Nok” (The Nok Culture 2020). Archaeologists also found dishware, stone axes, and other forms of art work which signified much intellectual and cultural advancement. Terracotta is a brownish red color and the aftermath of firing clay. An artist must understand how to fire a piece without allowing bubbles to burst and ruin it. The Nok also utilized iron to make tools as well as cultural art. Iron is a similar color to terracotta and also requires knowledge and intelligence to use it. Iron smelting as well as sculptural art arguably began in the villages of Nok people. The smelting of iron required certain tools such as hoes, hand axes and cleavers. According to one source, “the remains of perhaps 13 iron-smelting furnaces were discovered at Taruga alone (55 km southeast of Abuja)” (Nok Culture 2019). Nok people are known for their extremely advanced social system and use of iron/clay. The Nok people advanced in farming and gardening. Archaeologists found evidence of cooked plant material such as pearl millet as well as legumes and arboreal plants. Nok farmers also produced crops such as pumpkins and sorghums. Nevertheless, this village is considered a part of the center of sculpture-tradition in the history of humankind. These terracotta sculptures are one of the earliest of its kind in human history. Some believe that the figurines could provide powers to ensure crop growth, good health, and fertility. Moreover, this art allows us to examine the intelligence and human advancements of the Nok people. During the late 1960’s, looters began to steal these terracotta figurines. The local Nigerian government took action against this damaging act against humanity. I believe that this site is important for a number of reasons. First of all, this village is arguably the first West African civilization known in West African history. These findings of sculptures made out of terra-cotta, tools, and other forms of cultural art proves that the minds and souls of the Nok people were quite advanced. Many European and colonial thinkers propound that Africa is/was never culturally or intellectually advanced. The race concept systematically attempts to disprove the intelligence of black bodies. However, evidence such as the Nok Archaeological Site proves this racist way of thinking wrong. Secondly, this site is important because it allows us to see into the minds of our earliest ancestors and their day to day realities. They perceived humanity with such beauty and lived during such an early time of human civilization. For more (including 4 images), view the original article. 2020-10-10T20:50:05+00:00 2022-08-05T18:39:25+00:00 https://www.nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/313 The Nigerian Cultural Heritage Team The National Arts Theatre is seen as the main center for performing arts in Nigeria. It is considered “an architectural masterpiece and a cultural landmark.” According to the official website of the National Arts Theatre, the theatre has the capacity to host up to 12 events at the same time. The National Arts Theatre has played host to international music concerts, dramas, film shows, symposia, exhibitions, workshops, and sports. It is considered a multi-purpose national monument, with its mission to be to preserve, present, and promote Nigerian arts and culture. The National Arts Theatre main hall has a seating capacity for 1500 persons and it has a conference hall that can also hold 1500 persons. There are exhibition halls, two cinema halls that each have a capacity of 700 persons, a VIP lounge and a roof garden. They also have the equipment for simultaneous translation of languages. Also located in the National Arts Theatre is the National Gallery of Modern Art, Lagos. The National Gallery of Art is a major art gallery located on two floors in the National Arts Theatre. The gallery features things such as abstract canvases by Bruce Onobrakpeya and bronze busts by Ben Osawe. A few things in the mission of the National Arts Theatre include “to be a tourist attraction, to contribute to the economic vitality of our nation, while promoting Nigeria as a vibrant cultural destination, and to enhance the good image of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” The National Arts is located in Iganmu, on the mainland area of Lagos. It began construction under the regime of Gen. Yakubu Gowon and was formally opened in the regime of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo. The complex is 23,000 square meters in size and over 31 meters tall. There are some that say that the exterior of the theatre is shaped like a military hat. This can come from the fact that it was constructed under a military regime. While it is a fun idea, and maybe true, that the National Arts Theatre is just a giant military hat, the official website for the National Arts Theatre claims that the design for the theatre was taken from the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, Bulgaria and it was in fact a Bulgarian construction company that were the main constructors for the project. The National Arts Theatre first began being used in late 1975 but it was not formally opened until it was opened by Gen Olusegun Obasanjo in 1976, five months before FESTAC 77. The 2nd World Black African Festival of Arts and Culture, otherwiseknown as FESTAC, was an important event for the National Arts Theatre in its earliest years. The National Theatre hosted FESTAC in January/February of 1977. The National Arts Theatre would eventually fell into disrepair as its facilities deteriorated. Franklin Ugobude, who wrote the article “Can the National Theatre Return To Its Glory?,” believes a failure to plan on behalf of the government was part of the reason. He writes that the government must have never thought of performing arts growing into what it has. Ndubisi Onwuanyi and Abiodun K. Oyetunji state that the National Arts Theatre and sites like it are made of materials that are prone to deterioration and therefore they require maintenance. This maintenance was not completed. The federal government handed over the National Arts Theatre Complex to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Banks under the aegis of the Banker’s Committee in order to begin renovations. The existence of the National Arts Theatre and its recent renovations shows that there is a strong commitment to the promotion and preservation of arts and culture in Nigeria. The existence of the National Arts Theatre shows that arts and culture in Nigeria is important and valued by the people of Nigeria. The National Arts Theatre contains an important history of meaningful events. The National Arts Theatre has even grown some standing in some recent international pop culture and on the international stage. A portion of Beyoncé’s Black is King was shot outside the National Arts Theatre. Black is King was viewed around the world. For more (including 3 images), view the original article. 2020-09-23T23:04:40+00:00 2022-08-05T19:22:28+00:00 https://www.nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/298 Gavin Brown The tale of the famous Arewa House begins in a rather violent fashion in the Northern Nigerian state of Kaduna. Four years prior to Arewa’s founding (1970), Sir Ahmadu Bello the former Premier of Northern Nigeria (1954-1966) was assassinated in 1966. Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, established the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) the same year of his death. Ahmadu Bello’s accomplishments in both education and politics not only ushered Nigeria to independence, but pushed for better higher education. Arewa House, locally known as Gidan Arewa, was the home of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello. Initially in 1970, a committee known as the “History of Northern Nigeria Committee,” used the Arewa House to write a book on the history of Northern Nigeria. The Arewa House which is presently located underneath the Ahmadu Bello University, is responsible for the acquisition and preservation of a plethora of historical documents. Professor Abdullahi Smith is credited with establishing the Arewa House as a center for historical and cultural research and documentation. What separates the Arewa House from other historical preservation institutions is the regional materials and documents specific to Northern Nigeria.1 Firstly there are Approximately 1,600 Arabic documents that have been deposited in Arewa. Not only is that evidence of the influence Islamic religion had on Nigeria historically, but also how they’re presently affected. The Arewa House Museum hosts more than a dozen galleries, including one dedicated to the memory of ABU’s founder. One such gallery, the Katsina State gallery, hosts objects pertaining to Northern Nigerian culture including cultural dresses, drums, farming equipment, and a Quran. Sokoto State gallery pays homage to the humble beginnings of Nigeria and how far they advanced with displays of the first beds used in Northern Nigeria.2 Secondly what truly is amazing about the Arewa House is not just the emphasis on historical knowledge, but the side goal of peace and leadership. Putting aside the goals and practices, what Arewa House Museum represents is a newly independent nation's pursuit of knowledge and cultural understanding. Presently, the Arewa House Museum is overseen by Professor Idris Shaaba Jimada, who’s work primarily consists of national and international studies on political/social movements. Similarly. museum director Idris Shaaba Jimada of the Arewa House is known for the discussions on current national and international events/issues. On top of Nigeria gaining national freedom, they began to play a part in the global connections made around the world by increasing the knowledge of relevant topics. While the importance of Arewa’s necessary discussions should not be ignored, the main purpose is historical preservation. Many documents come from private collections, some are donated, and certain weathered documents that need replication. For instance, roughly six hundred manuscripts were given to the Arewa House by the late Modibbo Ahmadu Fofure of Yola (1889-1960). As was the case for most Northern Nigerian residents, Modibbo received a heavily Islamically influenced education. His collection of manuscripts is considered one of the most important storehouses of Northern Nigerian culture and Islamic documents (333). Modibbo Ahmadu’s collection is praised not just for its impressive size, but for the diversity of subjects covered throughout the documents. Some included are exquisite calligraphy, the Holy Qur’an, lexicography, astronomy, traditional medicine, Qur’anic sciences, etc (334). Other smaller, but could be argued equally important, collections include the Shaykh Musa Ganan Deji Manuscripts containing more than 220 original Arabic texts written between the 19th and 20th centuries. These manuscripts include subjects in astrology, poetry, Sufism, political economy, etc. Another highly regarded collection, the Shaykh Illiyasu Dalhat Katsina Manuscripts, which is a series of roughly 30 original texts were written between the 18th and 20th centuries. Such fields of study are the tenets of Tijaniyyah, Sufism, theology, and Islamic law. One could argue that a crucial part of historical document acquisition is the proper preservation of the materials obtained, including the ones that have lasted centuries. Sadly, the Arewa House runs into the problem of naturally caused material decay, such as insects and strong levels of humidity. The current solution for the problem is not a very strong one, with only certain manuscripts being chosen for mass duplication and translation.3 Unfortunately, the Arewa House’s problem is not an uncommon one in the field of history. It is almost impossible to gather enough information to get 100% of the picture, with large portions of evidence escaping the grasps of scholars across the world. However, this shouldn’t negate the fact that the working being done by scholars in the Arewa House are quite important in terms of cultural understanding. Hopefully in the near future funding from the Ahmadu Bello University will clear and better preservation practices can be performed. The cultural heritage site marks the desire that residents of Northern Nigeria have for properly recording their rich history, both culturally and religiously. For more, view the original article.