When Adamawa celebrated Sallah and politics
In Yola, the state capital, where Governor Murtala Nyako joined thousands of faithfuls to mark the occasion, the prayers were led by the Chief Imam of Yola town, Khadi Ahmadu Bobboi and attended for the first time since he clinched the throne by the Lamido Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa, and other politicians who […]
In Yola, the state capital, where Governor Murtala Nyako joined thousands of faithfuls to mark the occasion, the prayers were led by the Chief Imam of Yola town, Khadi Ahmadu Bobboi and attended for the first time since he clinched the throne by the Lamido Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa, and other politicians who used the celebrations for consultations.
Our correspondent reports that this year’s celebration in Yola witnessed innovations by the new lamido and was a combination of the display of political strength and muscles between political gladiators in the state.
This year’s Sallah celebrations were an exhibition of the Fulani culture, epitomized in the north eastern parts of the country. The celebrations, which took the better part of three days, started with Eid prayers at various parts of the town, including the parallel Eid prayer observed on the second day, Wednesday at Jambutu during which chief imams of the various praying grounds who led the prayers, enjoined the people to continue to be pious to Allah. Thereafter, several tourists and the people of the state moved over to the Lamido’s palace for the customary durbar display and to listen to the royal Sallah message from the monarch, Lamido Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa.
The horse-motor-cart innovation by Lamido Barkindo for the first time since he was installed as the 12th Lamido of Fombina, drove-on the newly purchased tilted horse-motor cart, while some villagers were cautioned by the palace courtiers not to mistake the motor-cart for an ambulance as some would be seeing it for the first time in their lives.
With intermittent shots from dane guns, with men and women gorgeously dressed in their best attires and with traditional title holders all in their regal outfits, riding on horses which were specially dressed with the finest ornament for the occasion, the Lamido’s palace and indeed, Yola town was enlivened with their rich culture which was almost forgotten.
Palace chiefs and guards riding on horses, accompanied the Lamido to the palace where he exchanged pleasantries with the state governor, Murtala Nyako and other senior citizens of the state, before delivering his Sallah message.
With a clement weather for the occasion, horse riders, traditional dancers from different ethnic groups paraded past the eminent personalities accompanied by festive sounds of trumpets, drumming and dancing as well as the intermittent shooting of dane guns in the air to the admiration of the excited crowd.
Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Mustafa, who is a holder of the traditional title of Sarkin Dawakin Adamawa, said that the essence of the Hawan Sallah was to keep the people and residents in a festive mood.
“Without the traditional horse ridings, the atmosphere would be dull.
In order to keep the residents in a festive spirit, the Lamido usually goes round the town to meet them. This usually keeps the town alive.
“Our people like it and that is why it has been maintained for hundreds of years,” the Sarkin Dawakin Adamawa said.
Sunday Trust also learnt that the “Hawan Kilisa,” as the durbar is referred to in Yola, has its origin in the colonial days. Although the traditional ride was in place before the colonialists came, their advent changed its dimension. The Lamido would set out from his palace in the evening with most of his districts heads, drummers and other traditional artistes cheered by a mammoth crowd.
In the festive spirit, gifts are exchanged during Eid-el kabir and new clothes are given as presents.
In fact, in spite of the economic hardship being experienced, the event are packed with more activities. It is akin to a carnival complete with processions and brightly clothed horsemen on parade.
The paramount ruler, Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa, who was highly appreciative of the turn out and success of the event, thanked the people for their attendance and support and promised to sustain the annual ceremony which he said has re-united not only the Fulbes but the entire people of the state.
A show of political muscles
The cultural display was however almost marred by a political ambience when supporters, friends and well wishers of the state governor, Murtala Nyako, stormed the venue.
Most of them were dressed in specially made outfits with the portrait of the governor on them.
The groups which included ‘’Nyako’s Supporters Forum’’, Kautal Khairu’’ and others wanted to use the occasion to display their support for the governor’s second term bid. Supporters of his rivals kept a wary distance at strategic locations.
From the entrance of ‘Jippu-Jam’ gates adorned with various campaign posters, one could envisage what could have happened had the different supporters clashed at the same venue.
On the home front
At home, the occasion is marked after careful planning. Long before the celebration day, families budget the gifts to distribute, who to invite, the clothes to wear and the food to prepare. Relations coming down for the event are also ascertained.
Malam Danjuma Abbas Jimeta is a civil servant in the state. He told our correspondent that “gift giving has become a norm but with apparels dominating the budget. Relations and family members form the bulk of the beneficiaries.’’
He maintained that high cost of basic commodities and shortage of money lowered the morale of residents and this generally dampened the characteristically high Sallah spirit in the ancient town.
For the people of Adamawa, especially Fombina people, it was an occasion for re-uniting and a time to appreciate their culture which should be jealously guarded, exhibited and not allowed to fade away.