When Zaria royalty thrilled guests at Hawan Sallah durbar

Many residents of Zaria had predicted that this year’s Sallah celebration would not be as glamorous as in previous years for two reasons – the recent decision of the Kaduna State government to sack about 4,000 district heads, which came few days to Sallah, and Nigeria’s present economic situation.  However, the Sallah festivities, particularly the […]

Many residents of Zaria had predicted that this year’s Sallah celebration would not be as glamorous as in previous years for two reasons – the recent decision of the Kaduna State government to sack about 4,000 district heads, which came few days to Sallah, and Nigeria’s present economic situation. 

However, the Sallah festivities, particularly the traditional durbar, turned out to be one of the best staged in recent history. About 106 district heads took part in the first durbar on Sunday, June 25, being the Sallah day. Similar number showed up during the second durbar that took place on Monday, June 26.

Durbar is the major event that adds colour to Sallah in Zaria. During the Eid-el-Fitr (Sallah after Ramadan fasting), three durbars are usually staged in the Zazzau Emirate. The first one takes place on Sallah day and it is known as Hawan Sallah. The second comes up a day after and is known as Hawan Bariki, while the third comes up two days after Sallah. This is known as Hawan Daushe.

As tradition demands, immediately after the Eid prayer at Kofar Doka, the emir would ride on horseback – this time on cart-horse – to his palace, which is a journey of about ten kilometres. As the emir takes his seat in a special historic pavilion, Kafen Daudu, district heads on horsebacks would, while demonstrating their horse riding skills, pay allegiance to the emir. This usually entertains spectators and attracts their cheers and applause.

One after the other, all the 106 district heads that took part in this year’s Hawan Sallah paid their allegiance to the emir.

The following day, which was Monday, was supposed to be for Hawan Bariki. Traditionally, as early as 8am the emir and his entourage accompanied by all the district heads would depart the palace to the Kaduna State Government House to pay homage to the state governor or his representative.

Alhaji Abubakar Ladan Chiroman Shantali, the Chief Protocol Officer of the emir, said Hawan Bariki had become part of Zazzau’s tradition with the coming of colonialists to Nigeria. 

“An emir of Zazzau used the occasion to meet the governor and present his annual report to him. This occasion is an opportunity for the emir to present the needs of the people to the authority. It also serves as an avenue of taking stock to review the previous year and make preparation for the coming year, he said.”

However, Hawan Bariki did not take place this Sallah and no official reason was given. Nonetheless, the cancellation had given opportunity to the princes to prepare for the next day’s durbar.

Hawan Daushe, which is the last in the series of Sallah durbar in Zaria, brought residents from all walks of life to the Zazzau palace.

A resident of Zaria, Musa Shehu, said Sallah without Hawan Daushe is soup without salt or tea without sugar. 

Shehu said; “many residents don’t wear their new clothe until the day of Hawan Daushe. It is regarded as the most important day because it brings people from villages of Zaria to the city. It is a gathering that unites friends and families. Many residents make new friends on the day of Hawan Daushe. In fact, some marriages have their root from Hawan Daushe. Young people have the opportunity to appreciate their traditions and values. They know their history and where they come from through the Hawan Daushe durbar.

“As you can see, even foreigners are here and are being entertained by this rich culture. Other Nigerians come here and they appreciate our culture. This is why this durbar is a thing of pride for us. When insurgency forced the stoppage of this cultural display, Sallah became less attractive. Traders that make brisk business during this festival were denied that opportunity. In fact, Sallah became soup without salt and tea without sugar.”

At about 2pm, Alhaji Shehu Idris, in company of his district heads, moved out from his palace on cart-horse to go round the ancient city. Hawan Daushe provided an opportunity for residents to meet the emir face-to-face.

After the traditional explore, the emir went back to the palace to once again receive allegiance of the district heads and other title holders. During Hawan Daushe, the princes engaged in a competition to outshine one another in horse riding skill and display of royal regalia. At the end, the best district head was selected. With Hawan Daushe durbar, Sallah festivity came to an end.   

However, before the durbars, residents had taken part in the two raka’at Eid prayer. This followed the announcement of the sighting of the crescent of Shawwal, which is the tenth Islamic lunar month, by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar. 

Attired in their best clothes, male and female; young and old residents of Zaria began trooping to various Eid grounds as early as 7am.

The emir and the representative of the Kaduna State governor, Alhaji Jafaru Sani, commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, observed their Eid prayer at the Kofar Doka Eid ground.

In his address, Alhaji Idris urged residents to continue to cooperate with security agencies to consolidate on the gains of maintaining law and order in the Zazzau eEmirate and the state in general.

While advising citizens to effectively utilise the current farming season, Alhaji Idris urged them to continue to pray for the quick recovery and return of President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria. The emir also thanked the federal government for its efforts in providing adequate fertiliser to farmers.

Similarly, the Imam of the Chikaji Sabon Gari, Zaria Eid ground, Malam Sani Gumi, urged Muslims to continue to reflect on the lessons learnt from Ramadan for peace and tranquillity to reign in Nigeria. 

Aside the emir’s and Imams’ Sallah messages, as well as the durbars, another attraction to this year’s Sallah in Zaria was the security arrangement that was put in place.

Adequate security measures were taken by joint team of the army, police, personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and vigilante groups. Police helicopter was also seen hovering over the ancient city to complement the activities of troops on ground. 

This joint team fished out and halted the activities of suspected criminals. 

Many residents interviewed by our correspondent lamented the current economic challenges facing the country, but were quick to add that “that should not stop us from enjoying an event that is celebrated once in a year.”