Royal guards at the Kano Durbar

The Durbar festival usually starts out with prayers and the national anthem outside the town or in front of the government house, followed by a procession of horsemen in colourful regalia, including the Emir's family ride through the streeets of old Kano City. 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. The Durbar is a show of horsemanship, prestige and pageantry expressed through traditional robes, turbans, ostrich feathers, and glittering swords. The horses are similarly decorated with colorful apparels and precious metals. The Durbar festival is celebrated annually at the culmination of the Muslim festivals Eid al-Fitr and Eid al Adha, marking the end of Ramadan and also in honour of very special guest to the Emirate. Durbar festival is celebrated across major cities of Northern Nigeria.