2026-10-09T23:32:34+00:00 Zend_Feed_Writer https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/ Nigerian Cultural Heritage https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com 2020-10-12T06:31:37+00:00 2022-08-05T18:13:25+00:00 https://nigeria.archivingafrica.com/items/show/317 The Nigerian Cultural Heritage Team Kogi State is situated in the Northern, Central area of Nigeria, popularly referred to as the middle belt. The state was carved out of the Kwara and Benue States in 1991. The capital of Kogi State is Lokoja, and it is the first administrative capital in Nigeria. Located in Lokoja is the biggest cemetery for European Soldiers and African Missionaries. This is an important site because it reminds the people of Lokoja about their history, and it shows how far the Kogi State has progressed economically and as an independent state. It also serves as a reminder to them of their ancestors’ suffering. Between 1867 and 1926 Kogi State was controlled by European Soldiers and Missionaries (along with most of Africa) who used colonization as a way to turn a profit. Lokoja, because of its location near the River Niger banks, was an important center for the slave trade in Nigeria throughout the mid-late 19th century. Also located in Lokoja are the Irons of Liberty. The Irons of Liberty is marked with two iron poles. This site refers to the place where the slaves were freed by the anti-slavery British Crusaders in 1860. The mainstay of the economy in Lokoja to this day is still based around agriculture. There are many crops produced by the state. The main crops are coffee, cocoa, palm oil, cashews, maize, yams, rice, and melons. Kogi State is also home to the largest iron and steel industry in Nigeria. Another important site located in Lokoja are the Deposed Emirs Graveyards. These Graveyards are home to the deposed bodies of Kano, Zaria and Bida who were deposed and exiled for opposing the British authorities during the Colonial Era. These cemeteries today are still in the same location and have been preserved to the best condition possible. The term Kabawa refers to the Hausa people who are dominantly found in the Argungu Emirate, Kebbi State. These people are characterized by their tribal marks. The Kabawa people were traditionally fisherman and are known as the “King” of rice production. During the Colonial era the Hausa people were forced into slavery by European nations and colonial missionaries who saw this region as a place to take advantage of the people and turn a profit, primarily for their own personal gain. The colonial leaders used the rice production of this region as a major financial gain and completely took advantage of the Hausa people during the Colonial Era. These historical sites help remind everyone of the state’s roots, and the horrific past of their ancestors who were forced into slavery by European rulers and missionaries for their own personal gains. Today, these sites have not been recognized as historical monuments. These sites do have cultural significance as they are reminders of how the culture of these people have changed overtime and progressed economically and independently. In 1989 the National Museum of Lokoja was established. The museum’s collections do however focus on the states colonial history and ethnography. These historical sites teach us that although the people in this region were forced into slavery and taken advantage of, they still pride themselves on their states past and use these sites as a way to learn from the past rather than pretend it didn’t happen. These sites also help teach us about the history of the state, from its not-so humble beginnings under colonial rule through the Kogi State gaining its independence and officially becoming a state in 1991. The New State that was created as a reunion of people who had shared a common history, and had co-existed as one community for a period of over seven decades before being severed by the 1976 States Creation exercise. These Historical sites remind us of the past, and although not a highly-decorated past, an important one to reflect on and learn from the mistakes of our ancestors. For more, view the original article.