Shira Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Shira is a Local Government Area (LGA) in the northwestern part of Bauchi State, Nigeria. It is a largely rural area made up of small farming communities and traditional Hausa-Fulani settlements. The town of Yana serves as the administrative headquarters of Shira LGA.

Shira is primarily inhabited by Hausa and Fulani people who practice Islam and are engaged in farming, animal husbandry, and petty trading. The region is quiet, traditional, and deeply rooted in Islamic cultural values. The 2006 census estimated the population at over 230,000.

Farming is the main occupation, with crops like maize, millet, sorghum, beans, and groundnuts widely cultivated. The landscape features savanna grasslands and scattered trees typical of Northern Nigeria.

• By road: Shira is accessible by road from Azare (about 45–60 km east) and Katagum via local roads.
• From Bauchi city: Travelers can take a bus or private vehicle to Azare or Giade, and continue to Shira by motorcycle or taxi.
• By air: The nearest airport is in Bauchi city, but Kano Airport may offer more flight options. From there, continue overland.

• Motorcycles (okada): The main means of transport between villages and in town.
• Walking: Common for short distances within villages and market areas.
• Tricycles (keke napep): May be available in Yana on market days.

• Yana Market: The central trading hub in Shira, especially lively on market days.
• Traditional villages: Scattered across the LGA with mud-brick homes and local architecture.
• Mosques: Key religious sites where community events take place.

• Visit a market day: A vibrant local experience of trade, food, and social interaction.
• Explore rural farming: Visitors can witness traditional farming and animal rearing.
• Join a religious celebration: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are important local events.

• Grains and legumes: Maize, millet, beans, sorghum.
• Fresh produce: Okra, tomatoes, peppers.
• Livestock: Goats, sheep, chickens.
• Handmade goods: Woven mats, baskets, and locally made tools.

• Tuwo and soup: Common meals include tuwo masara (cornmeal) with miyar kuka (baobab leaf soup) or miyar taushe.
• Kosai and akamu: Bean cakes with pap, popular for breakfast.
• Waina and kilishi: Available during special occasions or festivals.
• Fura da nono: Fermented milk and millet, a local delicacy.

• Zobo and kunun aya: Refreshing drinks made from hibiscus and tiger nuts.
• Bottled and sachet water: Available in shops and stalls.
• Soft drinks: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and others found in Yana.
• No alcohol: Not sold publicly due to Islamic norms.

• Basic guesthouses in Yana: Offer simple accommodation; ask locals for guidance.
• Stay in Azare or Katagum: For more reliable lodging, visit a nearby urban center.

• Mobile networks: MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile are available, though signals may vary.
• Internet access: Mostly through mobile networks.
• Electricity: Limited and irregular; generators and solar panels are used.
• Water supply: Provided through boreholes and wells.
• Healthcare: Clinics and a few government health centers operate in the area.
• Postal code: 750104.

• Katagum – A more developed town with markets, schools, and guesthouses.
• Giade – A farming area to the east with Hausa-Fulani traditions.
• Gamawa – Another rural LGA northeast of Shira.
• Dambam – Located southeast, also part of Bauchi’s northern zone.