By Mumini Abdulkareem
The city of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital came under national spotlight last week when indigenes of the state converged at the frontage of the Emir’s palace to celebrate the second edition of the Ilorin Grand Durbar.
For many indigenes of the emirate and across the state, the social-cultural event was anticipated with bated breath. It was gathered that many sons and daughters of the emirate who ordinarily would have celebrated the last Eid-el-Kabir outside the state were pulled down to Ilorin primarily because of the colourful showpiece that is associated with heritage and tradition of the people aswell as Ilorin Emirate.
Following the first edition last year which attracted the crème de la crème of sons and daughters from the emirate to chart a common cause and advance the frontiers of social-cultural heritage and diversity irrespective of tribe, religion and party affiliations, the last week event was considered an anti-climax to the huge expectation for the ceremony meant to serve as a platform of unity and harmony especially for Kwara Central indigenes to contribute to the growth and development of the Ilorin community.
Days after the conclusion of the event, discussions about fulfilment of its aims and objectives are still being appraised in relative terms depending on the side of the political divide one happens to belong.
The Showpiece
The event this year involved the use of about 700 horses sourced from Niger Republic and other northern states like Katsina and Maiduguri among others. The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu Gambari riding in a cart, led other representatives of all the family members that made up Ilorin on their horses. The Horse ride which started from Emir’s palace took the monarch and his entourage around designated streets around the city including AbdulAzeez Attah road, General Roundabout, Ibrahim Taiwo Road and Emir’s Road among others. Unlike the last edition, this year’s event witnessed improvement in terms of crowd control and the realisation of event like horseracing popularly known as State from the entrance of the Emir’s palace to selected points.
Comparism
Unlike last year, this year’s Grand Durbar unfortunately was tainted by high wired politicking that took the shine away from it. Many who were expecting to see top political office holders from the emirate seat shoulder to shoulder were disappointed
Did we build on last year’s gain?
Prior to the last year edition of the Grand Durbar, many indigenes of the Emirate could only fantasise watching the former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, billionaire businesswomen, Hajia Muinat Shagaya, several gubernatorial aspirants in the last governorship election like Bolaji Abdullahi, Saliu Mustapha, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Lukman Mustapha, and former Speaker Ali Ahmad, among others mingling with the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu-Gambari on the same pavilion with other traditional and religious leaders to pursue a common course. But the people jettisoned politics and demonstrated their affiliation and attachment to the course of the Emirate, the Emir of Ilorin and the Alimi dynasty devoid of politics. That event was a ceremony that went down in history as a turning point in the rebirth of Ilorin heritage with featured participants from every compound that made up the emirate across the five local governments of Ilorin West, Ilorin South, Ilorin East, Asa and Moro all displaying their identities. It was a melting point of sort described then by the Durbar Committee chairman, Engr. Suleiman Alapansanpa as “Our unity in diversity”.
Alapansanpa further noted then that “one of the greatest achievements of the Grand Durbar was that it silenced the doubting Thomases who believe the town is divided.
“For over twelve hours, the city and people of Ilorin came into convergence under the banner of the Emirate and for the first time in a long while, the indigenes irrespective of political divide found themselves united on a platform to revive and showcase the rich tradition and culture of the revered city”, he added. At the end of the event last year, it was clear to the Emir who mooted the event, the organisers and participants that there is the need to find a common ground devoid of politics and ultimately bridge the gulf between notable Ilorin indigenes and the youth to advance the course of the community.
A Sad Political Narrative
Still basking in the euphoria of the maiden edition, it was assumed that the event last week will resolve any rancour or resentment that the last political exercise in the state had caused. However, it seems the reverse was the case this time around. From the alleged replacement of the first invitation card that had the likes of the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje among others opposition PDP stalwarts in the state, to absence of some top emirate indigenes expected for the event, the narrative was a sad one politically.
Notable “Boycott”
Although it was not constitutionally mandatory for Governor Abdulrazaq to be present at the last Ilorin Grand Durbar, but his obvious absence at the Eid and Durbar ceremonies especially being a “son of the soil” has continued to generate differing reactions from the populace in the state. And to also discover that he purportedly absent himself from the age long Bareke visitation of the Emir to the Governor sending his Deputy, Kayode Alabi instead has further exacerbated the argument in the polity if there was any agenda in the offing. What could have kept the Governor away from one of the most important social cultural gathering of his people at a period that all state executives were enjoying their public holiday? Also the Governor was not seen or sighted in any political or cultural events during the periods and was even absent at the APC Governors homage to President Muhammadu Buhari at Daura. His motive is still a mystery to many up till this moment who have also queried what he trying to prove by his action. While it is still not clear if there was any correspondence among the absentees and the reason for their actions, some of those invited as replacement for top officials in the first invite “coincidentally” didn’t also make it. It has been difficult explaining away the development from the political “shenanigans” that played.
Was it truly APC Affair?
In the light of the forgoing, some top citizens in the state including traditional title holders have described the last Ilorin Grand Durbar as an “APC affair”. But how will that go down with the organisers is another ball game altogether. They however must come up with explanations that will disabuse the mind of the people.
Queries
In the meantime, while the date for the third edition of the Ilorin Grand Durbar has started counting, the organisers going forward must try to avoid the avoidable pitfalls of the last exercise especially on the issue of alleged politicisation and should silence many critics who have raised eyebrow by “a comprehensive overview expenditure and executions of how it started with the first edition and where it has reach now.
History of Durbar festival
By Saliu Woru Mohammed
The Durbar festival was introduced to Nigeria by the colonial administration with political objective in mind. The word Durbar is of Persian origin and it was first linked to ceremonial assemblies, marking the proclamation of Queen Victoria as the Empress of colonial India in 1877. In Nigeria, the events then were ceremonial in nature. The first Durbar was held in 1911, subsequent ceremonies were held in 1924, 1925, 1948, 1960 and 1972. The ceremonies linked together pre-colonial aspects of martial display, colonist created assemblies and celebrations of important events in northern Nigeria.
The Durbar festival is an annual ceremony is celebrated in several cities of Nigeria. This festival marks the end of Ramadan and it also shared with Eid- el -Kabir and Eid- el- fitri Muslim holidays. It begins with prayers, followed by parade of the Emir and his entourage on horses, accompanied by musicians, and ending at the Emir’s palace. Durbar festivals are organized in cities such as Kano, Kastina, Sokoto, Zaria, Bida and Ilorin.
The Durbar festival was held prominently in the 2nd world black and American festival of Arts and Cultures, known as FESTAC 77, since then, the colonial origin was gradually phased out and the event was linked with the pre colonial traditions such as the importance of horses for military purposes and ceremonies in the Bornu Empire and the ceremonies of “Hawan Sallah” and “Hawan Idi”.
Durbar festival is specifically common to the Northern part of the country though it is also practised in the South of Nigeria like the Ojude Oba in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
In the country Durbar is linked to Uthman Danfoidio, who used horse soldiers to fight his various battles and wars. Horses are believed in the better options for a race to run fast, because of their endurance and perseverance in the face of scanty food and water and for running many distant journeys in those days. Horses were also used to show the strength of the army and instill fear in the opponents.
The Durbar festival is a strong identity of the Ilorin Emirate. It is a cherished cultural festival in the ancient city. Loved and adorned. it is equally prided as a great unifying factor that conserves, preserves and rejuvenates the tradition and values of the emirate.
The advantages of holding the Durbar festival
Social impact
Durbar festival socially draws people from all walks of life. This portrays the social factor that is well appreciated by many in and outside Kwara State. In Ilorin society, an ‘invisible register’ of attendance is marked by families and community members at such societal gathering. People from Ilorin who are domiciled in other parts of country are inspired to attend such occasion as show of concern to family clan and community while they in return will be willing to help in time of need or grief. Hence, Durbar festival is a time most Ilorin indigenes take some days off their busy work schedules to return to their roots to reunite with their folks. The festival is in form of a recreation activity as it affords people the opportunity to engage in activities that are pleasurable. It brings happiness and peace of mind to the participants or spectators. As a way of socialization it creates an opportunity of meeting with loved ones and promotes reunion. It also gives opportunity to meet new people, develop new friendship and strengthen family relationship.
Economic impact
The Durbar festival ignites the city of Ilorin economically by virtue of the large crowds it draws with many potential and actual buyer/sellers. The festival poses a major economic impact on Ilorin especially its hospitality industry. Sectors such as the hospitality industry reap from visitors spending on food, lodging and souvenirs, gasoline, public transpiration among others. People are empowered economically as it creates stability and reduces violence, hence, the festival helps generate economic gains for people who attend the festival because people bring their wares or goods for visitors to buy. At this period people also buy new clothes for themselves and their children, food for entertainment, and so on. Along this line, the festival has helped in generating huge economic benefits. They include an increase in economic opportunity as well as increase in the standard of living of the people, increase in labour supply, increase in the awareness of the city as a travel/tourism destination, increase in knowledge concerning the potentials for investment and commercial activity in the city. It helps a great deal in creating lucrative job opportunity not only for the indigenes but also for the entire populace.
Cultural impact
It is evident that the Durbar festival in Ilorin has created a platform for social cohesion, unity and the evolution of developmental project. It reawakens in the indigenes the sense of appreciation of cultural values, cultural relevance and beauty as a people. This is seen in the unique dressing mode, the orderliness, the respect and civility, particularly to the traditional title holders and as reflected from the younger people to the elderly in the society. This cultural festival also re-invents the tradition, rejigs and firms up the quintessential values of the emirate tradition. Durbar serves as the panacea against the danger of perceived cultural imperialism and upturning the traditional fabric that binds the Ilorin indigenes together.
Tourism and unity
Durbar festival in Ilorin also boosts the state tourism sector. People come from far and near and even indigenes from all over the world return home, thereby reuniting with their kith and kins. Hence, family unity and cohesion are achieved. The people seize the opportunity to discuss family issues on development, aggregation and continuity. Long pending squabbles are settled and replaced with love lust. It is a festival that promotes a season of laughters, happiness, blessings, love, unity, peace and economic prosperity to both individuals and the government.
Political impact
The Durbar festival also plays a vital role in providing an avenue for the elected and electorate or rulers and the ruled to interact and deliberate on issues of political and development interest. Both sides could seize the Durbar festival as an opportunity to meet and dialogue on pertinent communal development and therefore carefully plan actions to move the Emirate forward.
Durbar also further announces the status of the Emirate to the whole world as a people with distinct culture, civilisation and orderliness. It projects the emirate positively to the outside world. All these are in addition to the relaxation, entertainment and the spurious health benefits that the Durbar brings to the people.
It is important to note that what essentially distinguishes and differentiates the Durbar from other festivals is that it is not linked to the worship of any god or goddess. It is purely cultural, entertaining and a positive projection of the tradition of the Ilorin Emirate, rooted in love, social platitudes and sensitization to communal ethos and other positivisms while it erases all tendencies for misgivings by youths and brings them off the path of other cultural vulgarities and imperialism.
The annual Durbar involves the riding of horses along major roads, starting from Isale Oja roundabout through the General hospital, enroutes Taiwo Oke to Taiwo Isale, from there, the horse riders will go through Olanrewaju junction, Emirs, road where his Royal Highness the Emir would enter the palace through the Abdulsalam Gate, venue of the Durbar proper.
Here, the expert horse riders will display their talents in horse riding at a colourful scenario to entertain the audience. There will be love flowing, happiness as this encourages making of more friends and reunion of old ones.
It is very hopeful that every year’s edition of Durbar festival will be better, more elaborate as perfect arrangements are being made by the Durbar committee under the chairmanship of Engineer Suleiman Ayinla Yahaya Alapasanpa.
In view of the perfect arrangement expected to be put in place by the Durbar organising committee and the warm support of the present administration in the state under the leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara and Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari (CFR), all the paraphernalia of the State Government shall be in attendance this year.
It is worthwhile to comment and appreciate His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin, and Chairman of the Kwara Council of Chiefs, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gamabri (CFR) for his great vision on elaborating the festival to make it compare favourably with what obtains all over the world. One must also thank the highest donor to the festival last year, the immediate past Senate President and Waziri of Ilorin, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and other eminent individuals from the emirate, too numerous to mention for their yearly support to the success of the durbar festivals in Ilorin.
In view of the importance of Durbar festivals to the socio-economic and cultural relevance in the modern society, it is believed that governments, cultural agencies, ministries and non-governmental organisations should have more roles to play in the organisation and holding of the cultural festival. It is believed that this will complement the advocacy for the development of the tourism sector as well as job provider and for economic prosperity of the nation and Ilorin Emirate in particular.
It is expedient to appeal to the law enforcement agents to display utmost caution and efficiency during the event while participants and the audience should also cooperate with them to make the exercise a hitch-free one and for the maximum enjoyment and happiness of everybody.
