Durbar Festival

Month : Between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha
Place : Nigeria
Famous For : Religious Festival
Attractions : Showcase of horsemanship, Parades, Battle of Horses.

The Durbar festival is an annual festival celebrated in several cities of Nigeria. It is celebrated at the culmination of Muslim festivals Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It begins with prayers, followed by a parade of the Emir and his entourage on horses, accompanied by music players, and ending at the Emir's palace. Durbar festivals are organised in cities such as Kano, Katsina and Bida, and are considered tourist attractions.

Major Attractions

During this period, each town and wealthy household had to bring their horses to regional Durbars to showcase their horsemanship and prove they were ready for war. Modern festivals have incorporated prayers into the beginning of the day before the parades take place in squares or in front of the local Emir"s palace, but horsemanship is still key. Each group must gallop at full tilt, swords drawn, past the Emir and his retinue then brake and salute. The Emir"s own regiment are usually the most impressive and go on last. After the shows the real party starts. The tradition comes from hundreds of years ago and from a local custom where people had to show their regiments of battle horses in parades.