Booming gunfire, vibrant gowns and blaring trumpets have animated the Nigerian city of Dutse during the durbar.
This is a days-long horse parade held to mark Eid al-Fitr, a celebration for the end of the Ramadan.
Emirs – traditional Islamic leaders – usually parade through their territories with a huge procession of horseback riders.
On Monday, Emir of Dutse Hameem Nuhu Sunusi rode on a white stallion, shielded from the sun by a patterned blue parasol.
The emir told the AFP news agency that the festival showcases Nigeria’s rich traditions.
[Olympia de Maismont/AFP]
According to the UN’s cultural organisation, the durbar is “a dexterous display of horsemanship and brilliant exhibition of a people’s… heritage”.
[Olympia de Maismont/AFP]
[Olympia de Maismont/AFP]
[Olympia de Maismont/AFP]
[Olympia de Maismont/AFP]
Royal hunters fired guns on Monday to announce the emir’s approach.
[Olympia de Maismont/AFP]
[Olympia de Maismont/AFP]
Dutse is just one area in Nigeria’s majority-Muslim north holding a durbar – a centuries-old tradition. The festival takes places twice a year – during the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays.
[Olympia de Maismont/AFP]
It is an occasion for all ages. In Dutse, members of the national scout association got involved.
[Olympia de Maismont/AFP]
Horses were not the only four-legged creatures on show.
[Olympia de Maismont/AFP]
The durbar usually takes place over several days – the celebration in Dutse continued on Tuesday.
[Olympia de Maismont/AFP]
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[Getty Images/BBC]
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