*Zaar Chiefdom law 2011 is not Deep Rooted inside Zaar Cultural Heritage*.

✍🏾 *Madalla Kadiri, Zaar Activist*.

It is a welcome development that the Current Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed have admitted that there is a lacuna in the content of 2011 Zaar Chiefdom law that need to be amended.

The Zaar Chiefdom law of 2011 fail  to clearly address the issues of Zaar Chiefdom Headquarter, Zaar traditional boundaries and territory. The traditional boundaries and territory of Zaar Chiefdom is supposed to be the entire  former Lere District of Tafawa Balewa, but In the Zaar Chiefdom law 2011 Zaar Villages in Wai ward which comprise Tafawa Balewa metropolitan,  Mingil Kutaru, Tafare etc were subjected to referendum before they will join Zaar Chiefdom and the referendum was not done,  Zaar Villages in Lere North were removed completely from Zaar Chiefdom which is unfair. The entire process of traditional boundaries and territory in the Zaar Chiefdom law of 2011  was curve out  in accordance with the fraudulent 1990 census.

The  traditional selection rite of Ghun Zaar domicile in the 2011 Zaar Chiefdom law is  not  deep rooted in Zaar cultural heritage. Traditional selection rite of Ghun Zaar domicile in the Zaar Chiefdom law 2011 was  supposed to be the same with that of Seng wari traditional selection rite  not Emirate traditional selection rite were three (3)  people will be nominate by the kingmaker and send to the Governor and the Governor will appoint (1) person 

*Zaar Traditional Selection Rite*.

The Zaar recognized Seng  Wari as traditional ruler who   heads the   administrative affairs of Zaar villages, the Priest Chief (Seng Wari) System  is  regarded as  Ancient Traditional institutions in Zaar land which date back to centuries.

In the olden days period,  all Zaar  villages practiced the Priest Chief System known as the Seng Wari who  serve as the  traditional Ruler of Zaar villages.The Seng Wari was a custodian of cultural heritage  who exercised Spiritual,  political power over the Zaar society. 

Every family or clan appointed its own traditional ruler (Seng Wari) who acted as its Spiritual,  political  head. The appointment was based upon criteria such as dedication, loyalty, hard work, bravery and acceptable moral virtues approved by the most elderly know as (Magaji Gari in Hausa) based on the recommendation of the Elders (Mhn Varanshi) of the village. Magajin Gari currently is 

a senior royal title holder and  also Kingmaker in Zaar Villages.

The Zaar elders were the kingmakers in Zaar Villages. 

Under the Zaar culture the decision of the Elders who are the kingmakers was final in  regard to  Zaar traditional selection right of Seng wari and any other decision which the community may take. The Youth and adult age grades didn't have right to challenge the  decision of Elders.

The selection of new traditional ruler (Seng wari) was  solely the duty of  the elders (Mhn Varanshi) headed by the most elderly in the village, the process was  done secretly through the performance of some certain  rituals.

The traditional Ruler (Seng Wari) was assisted by the elderly class (Mhn Varanshi) who served as an advisory body and Masquerade (Mumtsi) who   enforce legislative and executive functions/decisions with 

members of specific Age grade groups.

On the aspect of responsibility, the Seng Wari played several roles for the day to day running of the 

Zaar society. Prominent among their duties were demarcation of boundaries between families and settled disputes that arose among aggrieved clans. They were also in charge of stranger in the Zaar communities. They received visitors and offered them necessary 

assistance.

*Conclusion*

It should be noted that although Seng Wari political system has disappeared, however, it represent modest form of political administration that kept the virtue of Zaar society in peace and harmony for centuries and it is in this way that many African Communities put in place a cohesive social institutions, and were able to maintain law and order, and social harmony.