Gaani festival: Preserving Bokobaru’s 300 years history

The Baruba nation in Kwara State came alive last week for this year’s annual Gaani festival which brings together indigenes of the communities at home and in the Diaspora. It was a celebration of culture and customs of the Bokobaru tribe and peoples which share history and tradition with the Borgu kingdom which falls in […]

The Baruba nation in Kwara State came alive last week for this year’s annual Gaani festival which brings together indigenes of the communities at home and in the Diaspora. It was a celebration of culture and customs of the Bokobaru tribe and peoples which share history and tradition with the Borgu kingdom which falls in the North-Eastern Benin Republic and some parts of northern Nigeria.
The festival was celebrated simultaneously in Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas though the major activities took place in Kaiama Local Government Area where Baruten Local Government was created in 1991. As the sons and daughters of Kaiama, as well as dignitaries gathered to celebrate and felicitate with one another, Yashikira district in Baruten was equally bubbling with its own Gaani feast while Okuta district also in Baruten would be marking its own version of the festival this weekend.
Tourists from Nigeria and Benin Republic which share boundaries with Kaiama and Baruten stormed the communities to catch the fun and the glamour of the event.
Geographically, more than 80 per cent of Barubas are in Benin Republic. History has it that the Barubas form the fourth largest ethnic group in Benin comprising approximately one-twelfth of the population. They are concentrated mainly in the north-eastern part of the Republic of Benin, especially around the city of Nikki, which is considered the Bariba capital. They originally migrated from Kwara State and were renowned horsemen.
The annual Gaani festival brings together everybody in the local government areas. Both men and women, old and young participated in the activities irrespective of their ideological differences, class diversity and religious affinity.
It commenced in Kaiama on January 12 reaching its climax seven days later (January 19) with exquisite cultural displays from various groups within and outside the state.
The annual festival which holds in the lunar month of Rabiu-Awwal every year is to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Historically, Gaani is also considered a feast in honour of departed monarchs and ancestors who reportedly initiated the festival over 300 years ago. All the children from the royal families both the Princes and Princesses come out to shave there hairs in order for them to be given traditional titles.
During the festival, princes come to receive the king and their ancestors, whose spirits are believed to enter the royal drums reserved for the occasion. In addition, the festival is organised to appease the spirits of their ancestors for sparing their lives to witness yet another festival.
Activities that made the 2014 memorable as usual included the beautiful display of durbar by horse riders with their animals adorned in different multi-coloured attires. Also, different kinds of cultural dances which include Cocoma, Batonu, Keke, Ida dances, Kemberi dancers, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and Swange traditional dancers from other neighbouring states including Benin Republic were featured to entertain the people.
At the festival proper, all clans and provincial heads were in attendance to pay homage to the Emir as the custodians of traditional institution in the area.
The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Omar Bagidi Kiyaru (IV) said the festival is very significant to the people of the community as it marks the official recognition of children of Kaiama royal family.
“As Gaani festival continues to attract admirers from far and near, it is our desire that this unique cultural event will very soon be designated as a national tourist attraction by government.
“I first and foremost give sincere tribute to my immediate and past forefathers for bequeathing to us the noble legacies that make up the richly endowed entity which we have so proudly inherited today.
“As we pray for the repose of their souls, I call on all citizens of this blessed Emirate to continue to uphold the virtues of sacrifice, courage, hard work, self-sufficiency and liberty which our forefathers cherished,” he said.
On his part, Emir of Yashikira in Baruten local government, Alhaji Kiyaru  explained that Gaani festival is celebrated in Bartonum and Borgu Kingdoms every year in commemoration of the birth of Prophet Mohammed.
According to him, the festival enables all Bartonu people across the world to come home to align with their people and show their wealth.
He said the traditional festival kick-started at Nikki in Benin Republic, being the headquarters of Bartonum Kingdom before other communities under it follow suit.
He sought government’s assistance in the preservation and development of the indigenous culture and traditions in Nigeria, noting that a people without culture and tradition are like a tree without roots. The monarch urged government at all levels to encourage traditional rulers in the development of the root.
“Government has a lot to do; the state government, the local government and the national government because we want everywhere to develop as well as our culture and tradition.
“A people without culture and tradition are like a tree without roots.
“Therefore, we take our root very dearly and if government wants to attract tourists into our country, then we must develop our culture”, he said.
On his part, the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold urged the community to improve the festival for sustainability. He said the government on its part would provide the communities with developmental projects that would boost economic activities in the local government.
Of particular significance is the 48 kilometre Kaiama/Kishi road which is considered strategic to the economy of Kaiama and critical to attracting tourists and investors that could develop the festival and give it international outlook. The road which is currently in the most deplorable and dilapidated condition has since received government’s attention as it has been captured in the 2014 budget to renovate the road.
Stakeholders are therefore agitating that the festival be modernised owing to its tourism and revenue potentials. Such a colourful festival and several others in Nigeria, which attract tourists from Nigeria and its neighbouring countries could be transformed to improve the nation’s tourism sector, observers posit.
According to Rep. Zakari Mohammed (APC, Kwara) who hails from the area, it is high time Nigeria migrated from a monolithic economy by exploring other areas of revenue like tourism.
Mohammed who is the House spokesman and also a member of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism, said, “I think as a country in Nigeria, we are blessed, but we are not disciplined. What I mean by that is that oil is not everything. Some nations survive via culture and tourism. One of such countries is Egypt; that is precisely what they survive on.
“I believe as a country we must change our focus from a country that is monolithic, depending on oil to a country that will depend on other sources of income. Culture is one aspect that we can use to promote our heritage and preserve our identity as a people as well as boosting the economy.
“Nigeria is very vast geographically and has a lot of tourism attractions. So I believe it is an area we should look at.”