Centuries-Old Eid festival Cancelled in Kano, Nigeria
Aug., 15, 2012 ...AP & BBC
Nigeria on Wednesday cancelled a centuries-old Eid festival known for its elaborate horse pageant, officially due to the emir's health, but residents suspected worsening violence was to blame. The festival has taken place in Kano, the largest city in Nigeria's mainly Muslim north, for five centuries, featuring a horse pageant called a durbar, where riders in colourful robes and turbans pay homage to the local emir. Over five days at the end of Ramadan, the Emir of Kano, the top traditional and spiritual figure in the area, and his royal entourage tour the city on horseback while dressed in richly ornamented robes. It has been one of Nigeria's few tourist attractions, with stunning photographs of the processions making their way into guidebooks. Kano has played an important role in Islamic culture, positioned on a trans-Saharan trade route. But the festival, set to begin this weekend, will not take place this year. Some said it was the first time it had been cancelled outright, though it has been held in reduced form previously. "Due to His Royal Highness's ill health, he has mandated me to inform you that he has cancelled all Sallah festivities ... but will only attend the Eid prayers at the mosque," the emir's senior counsellor Abbas Sunusi told reporters. The emir, Ado Bayero, has been on the throne for 59 years and has been dogged by an undisclosed ailment for some time. Rumours have spread that he is suffering from prostate cancer and has frequently travelled to Britain for treatment. But the city has also been badly affected by violence committed by Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, whose insurgency has killed more than 1,400 people since 2010. Its deadliest attack yet occurred in Kano in January, when coordinated bombings and shootings left at least 185 people dead. On Saturday, soldiers raided a suspected Boko Haram hideout outside the city and discovered a cache of arms including guns and explosives. Authorities said three suspects arrested in the raid confessed that the arsenal was intended for attacks in the city during Eid. http://news.yahoo.com/centuries-old-eid-festival-cancelled-nigeria-180103676.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19274593
Posted: at 16-08-2012 07:19 AM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Things are getting more serious and deadly. What’s going to be canceled next? The more reasons the so called politicians needs to do something. They are good for nothing except to loot.
Posted: at 16-08-2012 07:25 AM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
A festival held during Muslim Eid celebrations has been cancelled on Wednesday in northern Nigeria, a region hit by a wave of militant Islamist attacks.
The centuries-old Eid festival known for its elaborate horse pageant, was cancelled officially due to the emir’s health, but residents suspected worsening violence was to blame.
The festival has taken place in Kano for five centuries, featuring a horse pageant called a durbar, where riders in colourful robes and turbans pay homage to the local emir.
Over five days at the end of Ramadan, the Emir of Kano, the top traditional and spiritual figure in the area, and his royal entourage tour the city on horseback while dressed in richly ornamented robes.
It has been one of Nigeria’s few tourist attractions, with stunning photographs of the processions making their way into guidebooks. Kano has played an important role in Islamic culture, positioned on a trans-Saharan trade route.
But the festival, set to begin this weekend, will not take place this year. Some said it was the first time it had been cancelled outright, though it has been held in reduced form previously.
“Due to His Royal Highness’s ill health, he has mandated me to inform you that he has cancelled all Sallah festivities … but will only attend the Eid prayers at the mosque,” the emir’s senior counsellor Abbas Sunusi told reporters.
The emir, Ado Bayero, has been on the throne for 59 years and has been dogged by an undisclosed ailment for some time. Rumours have spread that he is suffering from prostate cancer and has frequently travelled to Britain for treatment.
But the city has also been badly affected by violence committed by Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, whose insurgency has killed more than 1,400 people since 2010.
Its deadliest attack yet occurred in Kano in January, when coordinated bombings and shootings left at least 185 people dead.
On Saturday, soldiers raided a suspected Boko Haram hideout outside the city and discovered a cache of arms including guns and explosives.
Authorities said three suspects arrested in the raid confessed that the arsenal was intended for attacks in the city during Eid.
“We know that the emir has been sick for some years but it did not stop him from holding the durbar. We believe there is more to what the palace is giving as reason for cancelling the Eid festival,” resident Shitu Nasiru said.
“The main reason is the security situation in the city. There are fears that Boko Haram may launch attacks during the Eid,” said Nasiru, who has been attending the durbar for 32 years.
Other residents expressed similar opinions.
Last year, despite having undergone surgery, the emir held the durbar, though he cancelled some parts of the city tour.
Common sense is indeed not common.
Posted: at 16-08-2012 08:20 AM (12 years ago) | Hero
lovecommander at 16-08-2012 10:45 AM (12 years ago) (m)
WHEN YOU(NORTHERNERS) DUG A HOLE(BOKO HARAM) FOR SOMEONE(JONATHAN) TO FALL INTO, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE DUG IT TOO DEEP, BECAUSE YOU MIGHT BE THE ONE THAT WILL END UP IN THAT HOLE.
Posted: at 16-08-2012 10:45 AM (12 years ago) | Upcoming
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