The Kano Durbar Festival

Horsemen at the Durbar festival salute the dignitaries in the viewing area. The Durbar festival usually starts out with prayers and the national anthem outside the town or in front of the government house, and then a procession of horsemen in colourful regalia, including the Emir's family, into the town. The last horseman of the parade to arrive is the Emir, beautifully adorned in traditional attire, shielded from the sun by a massive twirling parasol. All approach the viewing stands raising their fist and shout “Ranka ya Dede”, proudly proceeding to line the sides of the parade ground.