Durbars

The Durbar festival is an annual cultural, religious and equestrian festival, celebrated as a core part of Hausa culture in Arewa (Northern Nigeria). Durbar has existed for centuries in the Hausa Kingdoms, and is a paramount part of Hausa cultural rites, tradition, and history. Durbar is performed in several northern cities of Nigeria, which include the original ancient Hausa Emirates are such as Kano, Katsina, Lafia, Gombe, Akko Emirate, Sokoto, Zazzau, Bauchi, Bida, and Ilorin. The festival is usually celebrated by these Emirates city following the end of Ramadan and also coincides with the Muslim festivities of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitri. It begins with prayers at dawn, followed by a colourful mounted parade of the Emir and his retinue of horsemen, musicians, and artillerymen. At the Durbar festivals noblemen travel to pay homage to the Emir and reaffirm their loyalty to their various emirates. The festival dates back to over 200 years ago when horses were first used in warfare in Kano, the largest city in Northern Nigeria and former capital of the Kingdom of Kano. The Kano durbar festival is a four-day extravaganza of opulence, horsemanship, and street parades.