Twice a year, horsemen and soldiers on foot parade before the political authorities in Kano. It is the emir and his entourage, in formal attire, who open the Durbar parade, mounted on their horses. These major festivities draw thousands of spectators through the streets of Kano every year.
But this year, the major religious celebration will not take place. Police officials said at the end of the week that “all Durbar-related activities are canceled […] in order to ensure peace and serenity” in the State.
Large gatherings prohibited
A drastic measure, which is not unrelated to the battle between Lamido Sanusi and Aminu Ado-Bayero, who both claim the throne of the Emir of Kano. The state police commissioner also called on “both parties […] to avoid any interaction and to respect court decisions” during this holiday season.
As for simple believers, they will be able to meet in their neighborhood mosque, but large gatherings are prohibited. This is only the second time in a decade that the famous Durbar horse festival has been cancelled. In 2015, in the midst of a jihadist insurgency, the traditional parade did not take place, for fear of a terrorist attack.
