‘The Asholio Heritage’: A public presentation and review, by Emmanuel Gandu
HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN OF THE ASHOLIO PEOPLE – (BRIEF).
Vak is the original home of all Sholio people. According to the tradition of origin, the Sholio people have not migrated from anywhere before but have lived in the location from time immemorial. This tradition claims that Vak is the religious and secular headquarters and served as a dispersal point for all Sholio clans.
The father of the Asholio people is called Lutswe. And he was spiritual head, leader and administrator of the people. Later he met Abvuat and Azam. With time, Abvuat met Aswua and took him to Lutswe, and a human settlement sprang up.
The clans among the Asholio people became four in order of seniority – Alutswe, Abvuat, Azam and Aswua.
THE BOOK
Published in November 2025, the 409-page ‘The Asholio Heritage’ by a worthy son of the soil, Ben Adam Shemang, is the book of the moment. It is a product of deep research on Asholio life, history, culture, tradition and custom.
Call it a trailblazer, yes. A pathfinder, yes. A pioneer, yes. This is more so because there had only been negligible attempts at ever documenting the Sholio heritage without significant breakthroughs in the past, as none compare to this Shemang’s epoch-making history. To put it mildly, it remains to be seen whether any will ever have the kind of impact that ‘The Asholio Heritage’ promises to.
‘The Asholio Heritage’ is divided into 22 chapters made up of thought-provoking topics and themes, including the people and history of Sholio, political organisation, clans and rulers, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, language and linguistic variations, settlement patterns, religious modes of worship, cultural dances, family and marriage systems, games and leisure, music and musical instruments, customary practices, beliefs, economic activities, mathematics/counting, genealogy, etc.
In his efforts to make the book appealing to the reader, the author employed the use of an embroidery of coloured illustrations, images, and photos.
For example, the cover page is lavishly illustrated with a life-size photo of the Cattle Egret bird. As we all know, this bird is an embodiment of peace, an ambassador of peace, and an emissary of peace. And also, as we know, the Asholio are a people of peace, sometimes to a fault. Therefore, the cover page depicts the Asholio people as they are generally known to be – a peaceful nation.
THE AUTHOR
Ben Adam Shemang is an accomplished and seasoned journalist. He was the pioneer Director of Training with the Voice of Nigeria (VON), a retired Director of News (VON), and a Defence Crimes and Political Correspondent in Dodan Barracks during the military era. Ben Shemang became an embedded correspondent in the military fight against terrorism in Nigeria, especially Boko Haram in the Northeast.
On the international scene, Ben Shemang has been a correspondent with Radio France International and Deutsche Welle Bonn, Germany.
Ben is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University (B.A. English). He also holds postgraduate diplomas in journalism and law. Has a master’s in criminology and security studies.
He is currently a PhD student in Criminology and Security Studies.
FINAL WORD
‘The Asholio Heritage’ is a well-researched and referenced book for the casual as well as the avid reader and the scholar. It is a historical companion for the traditionally and culturally inclined. It is a leisure read for the youths, the old and the young at heart. It is a vital document for tourists and tourism entrepreneurs.
One other interesting aspect of the book is that it is not an all-Sholio affair, as the neighbouring Gworok, Takad, Ganawuri, Atyap, Bajju, Fantswam, Tsam, etc., are well accommodated in the book.
Without hesitation, I recommend ‘The Asholio Heritage’ to the Nigerian public, including every indigenous person of Southern Kaduna.
This book is worth finding a place on the shelves of homes, schools and public libraries, community development association town halls, friends and neighbours of Kaduna State.
How to acquire the book:
- Available at major outlets.
- All correspondences to the author – Ben Adam Shemang (+2347089851991, email: @gmail.com)
HAPPY READING
Peace 🙏.
25/11/2025
BEING A PUBLIC PRESENTATION & REVIEW
Book Title: The Asholio Heritage.
Author: Ben Adam Shemang.
Publisher: NIRPRI Abuja.
Year published: November 2025.
ISBN: 978-978-788-667-0
Reviewer: Emmanuel Gandu
