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Ilorin Cultural Heritage_Durbar

The culture of llorin is highly influenced by religion. Durbar (known as Berende) was usually staged in the premises of the Emir's Palace on the return of the Emir and his chiefs from the Eid prayer ground on Eid or Sallah days.

Ilorin Cultural Heritage Durbar

The culture of llorin is highly influenced by religion. Durbar (known as Berende) was usually staged in the premises of the Emir's Palace on the return of the Emir and his chiefs from the Eid prayer ground on Eid or Sallah days. Dubar in Ilorin dated to the 19th century when the llorins' mastery and skills in horsemanship or cavalry warfare was demonstrated in the effective use of their horses. Horses became so much a part of the Ilorin that they are captured in one of the City's praise poems thus: "Ilu to yi kol’ Egungun, Ilu to yi kol' oro, Esin l'egun ile won, Oko Si l'oro be", meaning, 'A town so big as this but has no masquerade, a town so big as this but has no oro-cult,  the horse is their masquerade while spear is their cult.'

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The traditional festivals of the llorin include the two main Eids, namely the Eid al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha (also known as the Eid-al- Kabir or Odun Ileya).  As well as the Maolid-n-Nabiyy. His Royal Majesty, The Emir of llorin admiring his people during Durbar celebration - an important event, especially during the Eid-al-Kabir, is the Durbar. What has been described as mini-durbars were also organized at different times and for various purposes such as the special Friday Jum'ah service, annual Hijrah and Maolid celebrations, and at events organized to welcome. or bid farewell to important dignitaries and visitors to the emirate. During the reign of the 9th Emir of Ilorin, HRH, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sulu-KarnainGambari (CFR; reigned 1959-1992), durbar took a new dimension as it, among others, began to involve processions and parades of horses through major roads/streets in the city, in addition to horse race displays at the Emir's Palace.

The present Emir, HRH, (retired) Honourable Justice (Dr.) lbrahim Sulu-Gambari (CFR) has ensured not just the survival of Durbar but its transformation to a major annual event. This was particularly witnessed with the 2019 Ilorin Emirate Grand Durbar. Since then, new dimensions and attractions have been added to the event. Its elements include such aspects as marriage, birth and naming, burial and funeral rites, festivals, sports and games, among others.

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