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Kano Durbar Festival: A Colorful Celebration with Visual Extravaganza

Durbar Festival, also known as ‘Hawan Sallah’ in northern Nigeria, is an ancient horse-riding celebration held in the lands of traditional rulers, especially the Emirs. Durbar celebration is a vibrant display of Kano State’s culture. On this festive day, men and horses dress up in ceremonial garb and ride around in honor of the event.

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Kano was created almost a millennium ago, during the birth of Islam, and its first 500 years of development were based on African customs and natural environmental adaptations. Islam was introduced in the 14th century and gradually became a more powerful force and a more significant aspect of society.

The city is made up of more than just woodland savannas in the south and scrub vegetation in the north. Kano is Nigeria’s second-biggest industrial city, behind Lagos, and the largest in Northern Nigeria. Processed foods, textiles, furniture, cement, rolled steel, light trucks are all produced in the city.

The majority of the population is Hausa or Fulani, but there are also Nigerians from other regions of the country, Arab traders, and Europeans living in the state. Kano is known as one of West Africa’s home Durbars, featuring the world’s greatest parade of colorful horses.

Durbar Is a Work of Art

The durbar honors the long-standing horse culture. As early as the 14th century, horses and camels were essential for the survival of highly developed city states in the Hausa-speaking region, such as Kano, Katsina, and Zaria. The Emir and his entourage, accompanied by hunters, bodyguards, and traditional musicians, put on a show of horseback riding expertise. It is observed in cities throughout Northern Nigeria on an annual basis.

Durbar Festival entails the gathering and consecration of traditional rulers in a public square, generally in front of the emirs’ palaces or a specified location for that purpose, of chiefs, district heads, and other traditional title holders in an emirate, as well as their cabinet members.

The Durbar festival stretches back hundreds of years to a time when horses were utilized in combat by the Emirate (state) of the north. Every town, district, and nobility household was expected to contribute a regiment to the Emirate’s defense during this time. The Emirate military chiefs invited the various regiments to a Durbar (military parade) for the Emir and his chiefs once or twice a year.

Regiments would demonstrate their horsemanship, war readiness, and loyalty to the Emirate during the parade. Today, Durbar is a festival held in honor of visiting heads of state and at the end of the two major Muslim holidays, Eid al-Fitri (which commemorates the end of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (commemorating Prophet Ibrahim sacrificing a ram instead of his son).

Grandeur And Beauty of the Durbar in Kano

Durbar in Kano has developed over time with the Kanawas’ history, culture, and tradition. Every year, the end of Ramadan coincides with the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitri, and a dramatic exhibition of old Durbar festival takes place. Hwan Daushe Durbar was brought to the emirate during Muhammadu Rumfa’s reign in the 1400s, according to historians.

The day starts with prayers outside each town, followed by horses parade to the publishing main plaza in front of the Emir’s palace. It’s been a long-standing tourist draw, as it’s followed by a procession in Kano’s city center at the Emir’s Palace.

The Emir’s sons, noblemen, and battalions parade past on horseback, accompanied by local musicians, to demonstrate their allegiance. Each royal family has its own distinctive outfit, consisting of billowing robes and turbans in every hue imaginable. The princes bounce by the Emir wearing black leather gloves and raising a “power” fist. Every Emir’s son, from the middle-aged to the toddlers, participates.

The village group takes their designated spot next, followed by the Emir and his magnificent entourage. The Emir is saluted by groups of horsemen who sprint across the square at full gallop with swords drawn, passing only a few feet from him. Following the event, the Emir and his chiefs go to the palace, where the drumming, dancing, and singing continue well into the night.

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