Ramadan in Colour: How Muslims in Africa Celebrate The Holy Month and Eid

Nigeria: Spirituality and Horseback Parades

Nigeria, Africa’s Most Populous Country, Is Also Home To The Continent’s Largerst Number of Muslims.

The Mainly Muslim Northern Regions are Home to A Range of Ethnic Groups, Chief Among Them The Hauses and Fulanis. In the past decade, The North Has Become Synonymous With Instability and Violence Amid Conflict with Bandits and Armed Groups Like Boko Haram.

But for thhos that live there, The Region is a Bastion of Colorful Cultural Practices.

During Ramadan, Bustling Cities in the North Slow Down as Most People Stay Indoors to Avoid The Heat and Focus on Spiritual Activities Like Attending Lectures Or Reading The Quran.

And Every Year, Typically to Mark Eid, There is a Dubar Festival.

Durbars Are Cultural, Religious and Equestria Events that have pop popular Among Hauses for Centuries. One of the Largest Taking Place Today is the Kano City Durbar, which sees hundreds of thousands of People Decked out in stylish eid attire turning up to get a view of the emir – The equivalent of a king – off on Horseback.

Kano-Based Photography Muhammad Sani Sabo You have been documenting durbars since 2014. He Also Photographs Everyday Scenes in His City. The 31-Ru-Old Says He Hopes to Paint a More Accurate Representation of the North, which is More than to poster Child for Poverty, Illiteracy and Conflict.

“There’s More Stories to Tell About the North,” Sabo Tells Al Jazeera. “I know all the stories, and i Believe i can tell it Better than anyone coming from lakes or from abroad.”

In the City of Kano, Women and Girls Attend to Ramadan Gathering in 2023. During the Holy Muslim Month, The City Sees Lectures and Gatherings Where People Learn from an imam or Spiritual Guide. Study of the Quran Is Common Across The City. Food or Gifts are Subtimes Shared By Companies or Individuals to Emphasise The Spirit of Generosity and Sharing.

The 15th Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, Rides A Horse During the 2024 Durbar Festival. Hausas are renewned for Being Warriors with Excellent Horsemanship Skills. DURBAR CULTURE Stemmed from Military Parades In Ancient Days That Signalled Readiness for War. Today’s Durbar Festivals Highlight that Heritage While Also Celebrating The End of Ramadan. After The Morning Prayers, The Colorful Horseback Procession Begins, With The Emir Leading His Convoy of Warriors, Artillerymen And Praise Singers.

A Family in Kano Waits to see the durbar procession outside the emir’s palace in April 2024. Eid – or the Sallah Festival in the Hausa Language – is not Complete Without Stylish, New Traditional Attire and, of Course, to Peek at The Emir’s Glamorous Entourage.

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