By: Lukeman Omuya, Tersso Aga and Patience Aliede…
Farin Ruwa or ‘White Water’ is a fall in Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria. It is among the highest falls in the country. Considered from the point of elevation, it is significant among Africa’s falls when total height comes to focus.
The water gush drops from a height of about 150 meters which in comparison is higher than the renowned Niagara Falls at border between Canada and USA.
The source of the fall is geologically related to the Sha-Kaleri younger Granite complex which has 19 dissected hills, makes a sharp contact with the Basement Rocks at Farin Ruwa, forming an escarpment. Drainage around the fall is both dendritic and trellis, being morphologically and structurally controlled.
LOCATION
Farin Ruwa waterfall is located in ‘Massange’ village, within a development area with the same name under Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The fall is situated along the Bokkos, Plateau state / Wamba, Nasarawa State borders. The origin of the fall can be traced to the Bokkos end on the high plateau.
DISCOVERY
The fall was discovered by the then British colonial rulers of Nigeria in the 1950’s. A catering rest house was established in Gur Hill at Marhai village close to the fall in order to exploit it commercially. The colonial administration also gazetted and named it Marhai Forest Reserve, to protect its rich heritage. The fall is 120 kilometres in distance from the state capital, Lafia and 30 kilometres from Wamba town.
NAME
Farin Ruwa are Hausa language words meaning ‘white water’. It is a description of the nature of the fall by the local inhabitants. The fall, during descent, looks fascinating and as it crashes all the way down the Jos plateau escarpment, it gradually turns white hence the name “Farin Ruwa” or White Water.
ENVIRONMENT
The area is mountainous and therefore induces heavy rainfall from clouds passing over the region from March/November in the rainy season. During this time, there is ample increase in the water volume around the mountain which forms the edge of the Jos plateau. The water volume drops sharply in the dry season between December/ March.
ACCESS
Adventurous tourists’ intending a visit here will have to prepare for the rough terrain, as they are only graded. Vehicular access for the about 30 kilometre journey can take more than 2 hours’ drive from Wamba due to the visibly poor road. It is advisable to engage a bike from Wamba, which can take close to 1 hour running through Sissin Baki, Mamma, Marhai, Massange and finally Farin Ruwa. The adventure is both tasking, exhilarating and soul lifting as the last 1 kilometre lap is only possible on foot. Fun seekers can visibly sight the water with its thunderous roar from about 15 kilometres to the fall.
It is advisable to depart early so to spend quality time savouring the pleasant scenery and the calm welcoming ambience far away from the hustle and bustle of Civilization.
INTERESTING FEATURES
Among the interesting features are the long, dusty winding road, the lush green vegetation, the towering escarpment, thunderous plunge of the water, the white whispering drop, spitting dew and the enchanting aura. It is nothing short of MAGNIFICIENT.
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