The Durbar Festival (Hawan Daushe) in Kano State

I've been in Kano State for eight months and every new day comes with the need to satisfy curiosity and visit as many places as possible. The need to satisfy one's curiosity is what leads one to tourism. This time, I decided to explore the famous Durbar festival (Hawan Daushe) in Kano state. I wouldn't bore you with the history of the festival. I'm not a historian, I'm only but a tourist.

I enter the Emir of Kano's (Sarkin Kano) ancient Palace for the first time. It's a big place. One can get lost in there. Men are not allowed into the inner chambers except royalty or people who work in the palace. As a lady, you ought to be claded in an Abaya and your hair fully covered before you can gain access into the palace.

And this is the Sarki's camel. It is fatter than any usual camel. It is a female Camel. It is dressed to signify royalty and prestige.

The Sarkin Kano passes by the people amidst cheers of "Ranka ya dade" to mount on his Camel. Children mutter words of praises and dance  to the Sarkin Kano. As it is the tradition, he walks slowly as he is not known to walk fast no matter what.

The women are on ground to entertain spectators with beautiful melody and the sound of native drums that leaves you moving your body to the tunes. Women come into the circles at intervals to show their dance moves. There's a particular drum inside a bowl of water. It produces a fine sound when beaten.

The Sarki goes to pay respect to his mother in company of his people. His mother on the other hand, invites her family and friends to the occasion. She blesses him and he heads back to the palace to meet the mammoth crowd.

The district and village heads ride in their horses in honour of the Sarkin Kano. They move round the square and the people cheer them up. They display some on their cultural artefacts like crocodile, a bow and an arrow, a pistol (signifying hunting) and others.

After this, the Sarki rides in his camel and  passes by to greet the mammoth crowd. Thereafter, he heads for the palace. The district and village heads go in there once more to pay their last homage before they leave.

The festival ends and trust me, there is a lot to feed your eyes on. I manage to take pictures with a horse... Lol. I was just screaming upandan and the children were laughing at me. 😔😕😞 But what's my business? I was too scared to mount a horse. Don't blame me.

The people of Kano are wonderful people, they gave answers  to my questions and did not see me as an intruder. My tour guide was exceptionally wonderful. Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, a humble and intelligent man. He made this happen! Wouldn't you rather pay Kano State a visit? ☺

Sadly, history has been distorted with the creation of three more Emirates. Would there be four Durbar ceremonies in Kano next year? Let's watch how the story unfolds.
There's more to Kano that meets the eye.
Udo diri gi👌