Rural settlement patterns in the Zaria area of Northern Nigeria: a preliminary essay based an oral traditions

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Periodical article

Title:	Rural settlement patterns in the Zaria area of Northern Nigeria: a preliminary essay based an oral traditions
Author:	Davies, H.R.J.
Year:	1974
Periodical:	The Nigerian Geographical Journal
Volume:	17
Issue:	1
Pages:	43-56
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Northern Nigeria
Subjects:	settlement patterns villages
Abstract:	The traditional source materials for the historical geographer are written historical records including maps, archaeological evidence and the present-day landscape. One source which historical geographers in Tropical Africa have tended to neglect is oral traditions in the total area around Zaria in northern Nigeria to build up a picture of the development of the total settlement pattern and is based upon the traditional histories of 135 villagas concerning their foundation and development as told by village elders. This paper does not purport to be a definitive description or interpretation of the present day total settlement patterns of this part of Nigeria. It is simply an essay based upon this most interesting data which is intended to suggest what use geographers can make of this kind of information. Notes, table, figures.