Spectacular Festivals of the World - Durbar Festival

The Durbar is an annual festival celebrated in several cities of Nigeria at the culmination of the 2 Muslim festivals, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, which takes place at the end of Ramadan in Katsina and Kano, Nigeria.



The festival dates back hundreds of years to times when the Emirate (state) in the north used horses in warfare. Each town, district, and nobility household was expected to contribute a regiment to the defense of the Emirate. Once or twice a year, the Emirate military chiefs invited the various regiments for a Durbar (military parade) for the Emir and his chiefs.



Beginning with prayers outside each town, a parade later ensues of the Emir dressed in ceremonial robes and his entourage on ornately dressed horses, accompanied by music players, muscle-bound wrestlers, and lute players in headdresses which ends at the public square in front of the Emir’s palace.



Each village group takes their assigned place before the Emir arrives last of all with his magnificent retinue. Groups of horsemen then race across the square at full gallop with swords drawn, then pass a few feet away from the Emir where they abruptly stop to salute him with raised swords and pay homage.



The last and most fierce riders are the Emir’s household and regimental guards — the Dogari. After the celebrations, the Emir and his chiefs retire to the palace, and merriment reigns into the night with drumming, dancing, singing, and small bands of Fulanis performing shadi, a spectacular show to behold.