Kano, Nigeria, April 1, 2025 – Following a security-imposed prohibition on the traditional Sallah Emir's Durbar activities, the 16th Fulani Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has opted for a vehicular procession to pay Sallah homage to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the Government House in Kano. This marks a significant departure from the customary horse-riding tradition of the Hawan Nassarwa.
Emir Sanusi II altered the usual routes typically taken on state roads to the Government House. Instead, he traveled in a convoy of vehicles to undertake his traditional duty, effectively bypassing the ban on horse processions.
Historical Context: A Return to Earlier Practices
Professor Tijjani Naniya, a Professor of History and former Head of the Department of History at Bayero University, Kano, provided insight into this adaptation. He explained that prior to 1940, the Emir, as head of the Native Authority (NA), would only visit the Resident at the Government House to be briefed on the year's happenings and then return to his palace.
"Before 1940, there was no Wajen Kano, which is the outskirts of the city," Professor Naniya stated. "The Emir, as the head of the NA, would only pay a visit to the Resident at the Government House, be briefed on the yearly happenings in the city, and return to his palace."
The tradition of the Emir riding horses and greeting the people on the outskirts of Kano was introduced around 1940 with the creation and population of Wajen Kano.
Compliance with Security Measures
Professor Naniya clarified that the police ban specifically targeted horse processions, but Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II's use of vehicles to pay homage to the Governor did not violate or breach the security directives.
"What was stopped was for the Emir to ride on horses and pass through state roads, which would definitely create problems. But now that he has returned to the original means of the Hawan Nassarwa tradition, there is no violation," he explained. "And the Emir is only coming to the Government House, as opposed to the usual Hawan Nassarwa, where he would ride horses, go around Kano to greet everybody, and then return to his palace."
Minimal Entourage
According to Professor Naniya, Emir Sanusi adhered to the security restrictions by avoiding large crowds and escorts. Instead, he simply drove a small number of cars to the Government House, reflecting the 1903 Traditional Sallah festivities in a modern context. This approach is viewed as a compromise between tradition and security concerns, allowing the Emir to fulfill his customary duties while mitigating potential risks.
