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Muslims'
Affairs in `Eid
`Eid al-Fitr in Nigeria
By
Ubale Musa
 Bumb! Bumb!! Bumb!!! The Dane gun bursts, heralding the end of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan in the ancient city of Kano. It is a jubilation time in the city, housing over five million Muslims of both Sunni and traditional derive sects and serving also as commercial as well as the religious center of tile almighty
northern Nigeria.
Traditionally, and for more than five centuries Islam reign as the official religion in the
city, three gun shots by guards of the Emir in Kano, serves as the required notice to
formally announce both the end of fasting and the `Eid al-Fitr prayer, the following
morning.
Like, in most cities in northern Nigeria, `Eid al-Fitr in Kano provides for me second
opportunity for a get together at a larger communal level for a celebration galore,
which starts immediately at the end of the `Eid prayer. And it starts with the Emir, who only in that period, treks some three-four kilometers to
attend the prayer ground, where he is joined by five hundred thousand Muslims in
prayers.
At the end of prayer, the emir in full royal regalia, mounts his horse draped in beautiful colors, to convey him back to the palace, where another elaborate state of the
celebration actually begins. The `Eid day marks a day of felicitation on the Emir, by
district heads popularly referred to as Hallimai and ruling over the 44 districts under
his sphere of influence and other notable personalities mostly associated with
influence in commerce, education and within other social groups.
As a tradition, the Emir sits in a pavilion, receiving greetings and pledges of allegiance
from the various groups who ride their horses pass the Emir, holding out clenched fists
as a gesture of respect to his personality and the institution.
The following day, the Emir in turns, leads a delegation of the entire traditional
institution, amidst pomp and circumstances, to pay homage on the State Governor, a
relatively new tradition dating back to the colonial period.
At a family and general society level, the period provides for an opportunity to
exchange visits and pleasantries and a forum of traditional ceremonies such as wrestling, horse racing and different sorts of entertainment depending on the area, and economic and social circumstances of the time in question.
No matter the situation, however, special delicacies such as Masa and Tunon Shinkafa,
and new dresses adorn the entire segment of the society more especially among youths
and children, who see it as an opportunity to court lovers for marriages.
Kano, traditionally speaking, provides a role model for Muslims in other cities in
northern section of the country, who look forward to such a time to visit the city. While
in other cities, the Emir tries to attract a similar attraction by imitating the style of
Kano celebration.
Down the southern part of the country, where Muslims account for over 60 percent of
the population in the south-west and not up to five percent in the south-east, `Eid al-Fitr is celebrated in a more oriental than traditional style. Immediately after prayers, families take to beaches, and other holiday resorts where Musicians have a field day for
many days up to 3 three-four, depending on the size of their pockets.
What is common, between the two sides of the Nigeria’s 65 million Muslims, however,
is the exchange of pleasantries, foods and entertainment to celebrate the great day in a
grand style.
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