Holiday in Kaduna

About Kaduna

Kaduna is the capital of the eponymous state in northern Nigeria and was once the political capital of Northern Nigeria during British colonial times. The city on the Kaduna River is an important transportation hub and cultural center that combines the Muslim-influenced Hausa-Fulani traditions of the north with southern influences. The Kagoro Hills south of Kaduna offer a dramatic landscape of granite rocks, waterfalls, and tropical vegetation. The hills are a popular hiking destination and home to the Kagoro ethnic group with their traditional festivals and customs. The Matsirga Waterfall nearby is an impressive natural spectacle. The Nok culture, one of the oldest known civilizations in West Africa, had its center in the region around Kaduna. The Nok terracotta sculptures, dated from 1500 BC to 500 AD, are among the most significant archaeological finds in Africa. Some pieces are exhibited in the National Museum of Kaduna. The Kaduna Central Market is one of the largest markets in Northern Nigeria: spices, traditional fabrics, leather goods, and locally produced cotton products are traded on several levels. The market reflects the multicultural identity of the city. The Lugard Memorial Hall and the Kaduna Museum document the colonial and pre-colonial history of the region. The Arewa House, former residence of the first Prime Minister of Northern Nigeria, is now a museum and research center.