Durbars in Kano and Katsina - celebration of Eid al_Fitr (End of Ramadan)

A durbar is an annual festival celebrated in several northern cities of Nigeria at the culmination of Muslim festivals Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. We visited the durbars in Kano and Katsina, both famed for the pageantry as the traditional rulers greet the Emir of Katsina and Kano, which consisted of a colorful parade of decorated horses, dancers, acrobats and musicians, and ending at the Emir's palace (where we had great seats with a view). The women had a opportunity to visit with the Emir's second wife in the palace.

This trip was run by the Nigerian Field Society and lead by Paulette, a resident of Nigeria for 27 years (from Belgium). The durbars were the main attraction but we also went shopping in a market, toured the oldest indigo die pits, visited the traditional men weavers, a pottery village, and a Fulani village, went to a camel and cow market (not for those with a weak stomach), and had our hands/feet painted with henna (those who wanted it anyway). The trip ran from Saturday September 27 to Wednesday October 1.

I will be posting more details and pictures soon.