Abuja Carnival: Only Four States Participate In Durbar Abuja Carnival: Only four states participate in Durbar

Only four states participated in Sunday’s Durbar, which is part of activities lined up for the ongoing Abuja Carnival.

The states are Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi and Katsina.
The representation was so low, compared to what it used to be during the previous carnival where many states, mostly from the North participated in the Durbar, trying to outdo one another.

The carnival began on Saturday with a street procession, which took off from the Old Parade Ground through some designated routes to Area One Roundabout and a final stop at the Eagle Square.
The Principal Cultural Officer, Yobe State Ministry of Arts and Culture, Mr. Saleh Mahmood, decried the poor preparations for the carnival.

“I am not happy with the haphazard planning of this year’s carnival committee.
“The committee for 2016 carnival did not do a good job in taking into cognisance all logistics concerning the contingents.
“I am not happy. We sleep outside, no plans for water and other necessities for the comfort of contingents.
“The carnival did not take them unawares though; it has been shifted severally until a date was fixed.

“So, I don’t see the reason why we should come to showcase the rich culture and heritage of our country and be suffering like refugees.
“There is no medical team on ground in case of an emergency, like it used to be. Even we used to have first aid boxes at some strategic places.

“Anyway, we are here, my utmost desire now is for my state to win.’’
Despite the low turnout, the Durbar was a sight to behold as horses, and camels beautifully decorated with gold and other expensive ornaments were on display at the Eagle Square, venue of the event.
The horsemen engaged the horses and camels in acrobatic display and in a fierce competition to the admiration of all present at the event.
A member of Katsina State contingent, Mr. Yusuf Bomoi, who gave a brief history of Durbar, said it was a show of sportsmanship and loyalty to the emirates.

He said, “The Durbar is a competitive event and culture which depicts the decoration of camels and horses to exhibit sportsmanship in an occasion of traditional chivalry, displaying military loyalty to the emirates, especially in northern Nigeria.
“The warriors were formerly used for battles. Since there’s no more wars, the warriors are now being used for festivals and entertainment,’’ Bomoi said

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