Muslim Festivals
About half of the population of Nigeria adhere to the Muslim religion, with Muslims living throughout the country but particularly in the north. There are three main Muslim festivals, Eid Al Fitri, Eid Al Maulud and Eid Al Kabir, all national public holidays. The different ethnic groups in different locations have different traditions for celebrating these festivals.
The three-day festival of Eid Al Fitri celebrates the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a period of fasting from dawn to dusk each day. The festival is a time to give charity to the poor, and to celebrate the completion of Ramadan with family and friends. Eid Al Maulud is held to observe of the birthday of the prophet Muhammad, and occurs in Rabi' al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. Politicians and religious leaders have used the festival to urge Muslims to embrace forgiveness, sharing, kindness and love, and to eschew violence.
Eid al Kabir (known as Eid al-Adha elsewhere), or "Festival of Sacrifice", is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham (ʾIbrāhīm) to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismā'īl) as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to provide him with a ram to sacrifice instead. A ram, goat, sheep, cow or camel is sacrificed, with the family eating part of the animal and donating the rest to the poor. The festival is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic calendar.
Durbar festivals are celebrated at the culmination of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Durbars have been held for hundreds of years in the northern states, notably the Kano Emirate, and gave an opportunity for conscripts to the army to display their skills as horsemen. In modern times, durbars are held in honor of visiting heads of state. They include a parade, shows and competitions. The horsemen are dressed in vividly colored costumes, with period weapons, and are accompanied by a drum corps and musicians. Modern Durbar festivals include prayers at the start of the day, followed by parades in town squares or in front of the local Emir’s palace. Horsemanship is still the main focus. Each group must gallop at full tilt past the Emir, then halt and salute him with raised swords. Durbar festivals are being developed as important tourist attractions.
Read more about this topic: Festivals In Nigeria
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