The Kano Durbar Festival

A traditional ruler at the Durbar festival salutes the dignitaries in the viewing area. During the parade, regiments would showcase their horsemanship, their preparedness for war, and their loyalty to the Emirate. Today, Durbar has become a festival celebrated in honour of visiting Heads of State and at the culmination of the two great Muslim festivals, Id-el Fitri (commemorating the end of the holy month of Ramadan) and Ide-el Kabir (commemorating Prophet Ibrahim sacrificing a ram instead of his son). All approach the viewing stands raising their fist and shout “Ranka ya Dede”, proudly proceeding to line the sides of the parade ground.