Mayanka Waterfalls Explained

Coordinates:9.17°N 7.1702°W
Height:30m (100feet)
Location:Suleja, Niger State, Nigeria
Map:Nigeria
Mayanka Waterfalls
Photo Width:300
Relief:yes
Type:Segmented
Watercourse:200m (700feet)

Mayanka falls is located at the outskirts of Suleja, Nigeria; but it is the capacity that gave it its fearful name: Mayanka, only a few people know this historical place or its two hundred years of life. That 'infamy' and the 'fearfulness', and, thus, the fascinating part of the location tale, all seem more about the 'Mayanka' than about the 'falls,' whatever attractiveness the falls may exude to any modern-day visitor.

History

Mayanka, typically means slaughter of animals for human consumption, is the Hausa word for slaughter house, slaughter slab or any slaughter spot. The Mayanka of Suleja, down the falls of the Iku River, was the place for the slaughter (execution) of criminals sentenced in pre-colonial times to death by the traditional authorities of the domain.[1]

Every Nigerian society had its system of administering justice as part of its comprehensive system of government, from time immemorial until the advent of colonialism, with regard to what is conceived as civil and criminal offenses according to its traditional norms and values.[2]

Shehu Uthman Danfodio-led jihadists sacked the Zage-zagi from their ancestral territory (headquartered in Zaria) in the 19th century, from where they moved south to the present location to find another Zazzau territory.[3]

According to the source, therefore, any Fulani man or woman sighted in the domain in those days would be treated as a jihadist spy and would be arrested and brought as a criminal before the Sarkin Zazzau Royal Court, to be summarily sentenced to death by the sword of the Mayanka Hauni.[4]

Tourism

The most famous visitors at the falls include: hikers, lovers of nature, lovers of fun, explorers, researchers. The impression of a non-definite route up the hill is an impression that will certainly remain in the mind for a very long time. The loveliness of the falls is a must-see. Some stuff to go along with before going to Mayanka Falls; hiking boots, water bottle, sun screen, face cap.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Abdulsalam. Salihu. 2020-09-25. Mayanka Falls: Suleja's Waterfall of Historic Execution. 2020-09-25. Tropics Nigeria. en-US.
  2. Web site: Webmaster . 2016-04-17 . Mayanka Falls: Suleja’s ancient execution valley . 2023-05-18 . Daily Trust . en-GB.
  3. Web site: Abubakar. Uthman. 2016-04-17. Mayanka Falls: Suleja's ancient execution valley. 2020-09-27. Daily Trust. en.
  4. Web site: Online . Tribune . 2022-06-18 . The people we see attacking us are armed Fulani men, we will not call them herdsmen because they don’t have cows —Kaduna’s Adara community leader, Maisamari . 2022-09-01 . Tribune Online . en-GB.
  5. Web site: Hotels.ng. Mayanka falls. 2020-09-25. Hotels.ng. en.