Zangon Kataf (Tyap: Nietcen-A̱fakan), is a Local Government Area in southern Kaduna State, Nigeria. Its headquarters is in the town of Zonkwa. It is also a name of a town in the chiefdom of the Atyap. Other towns include: Batadon (Madakiya), Agut Ntswuo (Samaru Kataf), Kamantan, Anchuna and Kamuru. It has an area of 2,579 km2 and a population of 318,991 at the 2006 census.[3] The postal code of the area is 802.[4]

Zangon Kataf
Nietcen-A̱fakan
Maba̱ta̱do, Mabarado
LGA and Town
Zangon Kataf is located in Nigeria
Zangon Kataf
Zangon Kataf
Coordinates: 9°48′N 8°18′E / 9.8°N 8.3°E / 9.8; 8.3
Country Nigeria
StateKaduna State
HeadquartersZonkwa
Government
 • TypeDemocracy
 • ChairmanFrancis Sani Zimbo[1]
Area
 • Total
996 sq mi (2,579 km2)
Population
 (2006)
 • Total
318,991
 • Density433/sq mi (167.0/km2)
 2006 National Census
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
ISO 3166 codeNG.KD.ZK[2]
Map

History

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Following the creation Kaduna and Katsina from the old North-Central State in 1989, Zangon Kataf LGA was also created from the old Kachia LGA in the same year.[5]

Geography

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With an average temperature of 33 degrees Celsius, Zangon Kataf LGA is 2,668 square kilometers in size. The LGA experiences two different seasons, known as the wet and dry seasons, with an average humidity of 27% in the region.

Landscape

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In Zangon Kataf LGA, the mountain with the highest peak is Kacecere (Atyecarak) Hill with a height of 1022m and prominence of 98m. Other mountains are: Kankada Hill (1007m), Bako Hill (949m), Madauci Hill (939m), Ashafa Hill (856m), Kabam Hill (814m), and Antang Hill (742m). Bako Hill, however, has the highest prominence of 155m.[6]

Climate

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Zangon Kataf town and environs have an average annual temperature of about 24.8 °C (76.6 °F), average yearly highs of about 28.6 °C (83.5 °F) and lows of 18.8 °C (65.8 °F), with zero rainfalls at the ends and beginnings of the year with a yearly average precipitation of about 28.1 mm (1.11 in), and an average humidity of 53.7%, similar to that of neighbouring towns Kagoro and Zonkwa.[7]

Climate data for Katab (2020 data)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 31
(88)
33
(91)
34
(93)
34
(93)
31
(88)
29
(84)
26
(79)
25
(77)
27
(81)
29
(84)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29.8
(85.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29
(84)
32
(90)
34
(93)
33
(91)
30
(86)
27
(81)
24
(75)
22
(72)
24
(75)
28
(82)
29
(84)
31
(88)
28.6
(83.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 24
(75)
26
(79)
29
(84)
29
(84)
26
(79)
24
(75)
21
(70)
20
(68)
22
(72)
25
(77)
25
(77)
26
(79)
24.8
(76.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 15
(59)
17
(63)
21
(70)
22
(72)
20
(68)
19
(66)
18
(64)
17
(63)
18
(64)
20
(68)
19
(66)
19
(66)
18.8
(65.8)
Record low °C (°F) 14
(57)
16
(61)
20
(68)
21
(70)
21
(70)
20
(68)
19
(66)
18
(64)
19
(66)
19
(66)
18
(64)
15
(59)
18.3
(64.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 0
(0)
1
(0.0)
3.1
(0.12)
13.5
(0.53)
35.5
(1.40)
54.2
(2.13)
71.2
(2.80)
69
(2.7)
60.3
(2.37)
29.3
(1.15)
0.1
(0.00)
0
(0)
28.1
(1.11)
Average precipitation days 0 1 4 12 23 28 31 30 29 18 0 0 14.7
Average relative humidity (%) 24 18 28 48 66 80 88 90 86 61 32 23 53.7
Source: World Weather Online[7]

Government and politics

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Boundaries

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Zangon Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) shares boundaries with Kachia LGA to the west, Kajuru LGA to the northwest, Kauru LGA to the north and northeast, Kaura LGA to the southeast, Jema'a LGA to the south and Jaba LGA to southwest, respectively.[8][9]

Administrative subdivisions

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The Local Government Area is divided into the following administrative subdivides or electoral wards:[10][11]

  • Atak Nfang (H. Zaman Dabo)
  • Gidan Jatau
  • Ikulu (Bakulu)
  • Jei (H. Unguwar Gaya)
  • Kamantan (Anghan)
  • Kanai (H. Gora)
  • Madakiya (J. Bata̱don)
  • Unguwar Rimi (J. Za̱nta̱ra̱kpat)
  • Zango Urban (T. Nietcen-A̱fakan)
  • Zonkwa
  • Zonzon

List of council chairmen

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  • Juri Babang Ayok[12] (19??-1992)
  • Timmy Kambai[13]
  • Elias Manza[14] (2018-2021)
  • Francis Sani Zimbo[15] (2021-date)

Demographics

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Population

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Zangon Kataf Local Government Area according to the March 21, 2006 national population census was put at 318,991. Its population was projected by the National Population Commission of Nigeria and National Bureau of Statistics to be 430,600 by March 21, 2016.

People

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The people predominantly belong to the Atyap (Nenzit) Ethno-Linguistic group. These people include: the Bajju, Atyap proper, Bakulu, Anghan and A̱tyeca̠rak. There are also the Hausa settler elements and other Nigerian peoples settling among the aboriginal people.

Languages

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The five indigenous people found in the Local Government Area speak related dialects of a common language, Tyap. The largest of them is Jju, closely followed by Tyap proper, then by Kulu, then by Nghan and then by Tyeca̱rak. However, due to the British colonial influence, Hausa language is also widely spoken.

Culture

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Traditional states

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There are four chiefdoms in the Local Government Area, namely:

  1. Akulu chiefdom, headed by the Agwom Akulu, Agwom Yohanna Sidi Kukah. Headquarters at Kamuru.
  2. Anghan chiefdom, headed by Ngbiar Anghan, Ngbiar Adam Alkali. Headquarters at Fadan Kamantan.
  3. Atyap chiefdom, headed by the A̱gwatyap (A̱gwam A̱tyap), A̱gwam (Sir) Dominic Gambo Yahaya (KSM). Headquarters at A̠tak Njei, Zangon Kataf.
  4. Kajju chiefdom, headed by the A̱gwam Ba̱jju, A̱gwam Nuhu Bature A̱chi (OON). Headquarters at Zonkwa.

Cuisine

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Pounded yam (Tyap: tuk a̱cyi, Jju: tuk dicyi) and egusi soup

The major cultural delicacies enjoyed by the people of Zangon Kataf include:

  • Ka̱ti/Kpukpei (a semi-liquid food made from coarse corn flour and vegetables)
  • Tuk (flour paste) - which can be eaten with any kind of soup one desires.
  • Pork and dog meat are also well consumed in this divide of the earth.

The main non-alcoholic drinks synonymous with this region is known as ta̱bwai tsuntswa in the Tyap tongue (kunu tsuntswa in Hausa).

The region has also for long been synonymous for the brewing of the alcoholic drink known as a̱kan in Tyap proper and Tyeca̠rak, dikan in Jju and burukutu in Hausa, although its brewing has been banned in some areas.

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Tauna, Amos (May 2, 2023). "Zangon Kataf Killings: Council Chairman, Zimbo begs govt to assist victims". Daily Post. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  2. ^ HASC, population, area and Headquarters Statoids
  3. ^ "Kaduna State of Nigeria". City Population. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  4. ^ "Post Offices- with map of LGA". NIPOST. Archived from the original on October 7, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
  5. ^ Angerbrandt, Henrik (2015). Placing Conflict [Religion and Politics in Kaduna State, Nigeria] (PDF). Malmö. ISBN 978-91-7649-233-8. Retrieved January 26, 2023.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ^ "Zangon Kataf". Peakvisor. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Katab Monthly Climate Averages, Kaduna, NG". World Weather Online. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  8. ^ "Latest violence in Southern Kaduna Longest on record - Report". Premium Times Nigeria. February 12, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  9. ^ "Kaduna-State-Political-Map". VON. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  10. ^ "Zangon Kataf Sub divisions". mindat.org. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  11. ^ James, Ibrahim (2000). The Settler Phenomenon in the Middle Belt and Problems of National Integration in Nigeria. Jos, Nigeria: Midland Press. ISBN 9783481169.
  12. ^ Suberu, Rotimi T. (1996). "Ethnic Minorities and Political Turbulence in Kaduna State". Ethnic Minority Conflicts and Governance in Nigeria. African Dynamics. IFRA-NIGERIA. pp. 48–65. ISBN 979-10-92312-15-7. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  13. ^ "Mixed Reactions Trail Southern Kaduna/Fulani Herdsmen Peace Treaty". Daily Trust. November 5, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  14. ^ "Zango Kataf Council Chairman Thanks el-Rufai, Anticipates Exciting Tenure". NewNigerianNewsPapers. May 24, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  15. ^ "PDP wins rescheduled Zango Kataf LG poll in Kaduna". Vanguard Nigeria. October 24, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
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