A glimpse of Nigeria's Durbar in nomad4now:
A resplendent march:In the long history of a military parade, the origin of the word, durbar, comes from Urdu, darbār, (dar meaning door and bār meaning entry or audience.) In Nigeria, the Durbar dates back 200 years when horses were used in warfare to protect the Emirate. Each noble household was expected to defend the Emirate by forming a regiment. Once a year, the regiments would gather for a military parade to demonstrate allegiance to the Fulani ruler, by showcasing their horsemanship, readiness for war, and loyalty.
Image courtesy of nomad4now
The procession is strictly men only dressed in magnificent turbans many with one ‘ear’ or two sticking out denoting their royal linage. Young and old participate to insure that tradition is observed through generations. All approach the viewing stands raising their fist and shout “Ranka ya Dede”, proudly proceeding to line the sides of the parade ground. Rhythms of the talking and traditional drums fill the air with the shrill of trumpeters and fluters. Acrobats flip and catch one another, musicians, warriors riding brightly armored horses make their way to assemble along the parade grounds. When hundreds of horsemen are on the parade grounds, the Emir’s procession begins down the center, including his guards, his sons, riderless horses for his wives, and camels. Finally, the Emir himself rides among his guards and servants amidst the shooting of flintlock muskets. The Emir is immediately recognized, veiled and clad in white with a huge fanning parasol lifts up and down over him. After he pays respect to the governor, the horse regiments race up to the Emir at a gallop to demonstrate their courage, agility, and respect. The Emir gives an Eid el-Kabir address to the crowd’s approval.More here