The Durbar festival is an annual religious and equestrian celebration in several cities of Nigeria including Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zazzau, Bauchi, and Bida.
The festival marks the end of Ramadan and also coincides with the Muslim festivities of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitri.
It begins with prayers, followed by a colourful parade of the Emir and his entourage on colourful horses, accompanied by musicians, and ending at the Emir’s palace.
Durbar festivals are organised in almost all cities of northern Nigeria and has become a major tourist attraction. In Northern Nigeria, the practices date back over 200 years.
Origin of the Festival
Historians say the “Hawan Daushe” (Mount of Daushe) was introduced to Kano during the reign of Muhammadu Rumfa in the 1400s. During and after the Fulani Jihad horses were used in warfare to protect the Emirate.
Each noble household was expected to defend the Emirate by forming a regiment. Once a year, the regiments would gather for a military parade to demonstrate allegiance to their ruler, by showcasing their horsemanship, readiness for war, and loyalty.
Others say the Durbar festival was introduced to Nigeria by colonial administrators with political objectives in mind. The word Durbar is of Persian origin and it was first linked to ceremonial assemblies marking the proclamation of Queen Victoria as the Empress of colonial India in 1877.
In Nigeria, the events then were ceremonial in nature, the first Durbar was held in 1911, subsequent ceremonies were held in 1924, 1925, 1948, 1960, and 1972. The ceremonies linked together pre-colonial aspects of the martial display, colonists created assemblies and celebrations of important events in Northern Nigeria.
The procession is a symbol of royal lineage. The procession is strictly men only dressed in magnificent robes and turbans, many with one ‘ear’ or two sticking out denoting their royal linage.
The men at the Durbar festival adorn themselves with different colors of turbans.
While the men ride on their horse moving through the streets, music, and rhythm from traditional instruments fills the air.
