Ilorin Durbar 2025: Celebrating City’s Cosmopolitan Nature, Rich History

The Ilorin Emirate on Monday held its 2025 Durbar, celebrating the cosmopolitan city’s rich cultural history and while the Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode drew all the attention, the Ilorin Durbar was no less colorful.

The annual event, which followed the Eid al-Adha celebration, was marked by a spectacular procession of horsemen, traditional music, and cultural displays, with the procession led by the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who rode through the city’s historic quarters to receive homage from the crowd.

About The Ilorin Durbar Festival

The Durbar began in 1830 to commemorate Ilorin’s victory over the forces of the Oyo Empire and Baruba. The festival first started as a display of Military might and a show of fealty by the subjects of the Sarki.

It has however developed over the last centuries into a showcase of tradition, culture and skill with UNESCO inscribing the Ilorin Grand Durbar alongside other Durbar festivals in Nigeria on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2024.

The festival is typically held after Ramadan, during the Muslim festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It involves the horsemen procession round the city in addition to the display of cultural art and craft.The Durbar is seen as a vital part of the cultural identity and heritage of Ilorin, specially paying tributes to the city’s war origin.

Speaking on behalf of the Emir during this year’s event, Chairman of the Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee, Suleiman Yahaya Alapansanpa, the Danmasani of Ilorin said “The Ilorin Durbar is not just a cultural event; it is a spiritual remembrance, a celebration of harmony, and a living testimony to the resilience and unity of our people,”

The festival continues to draw tourists and culture enthusiasts looking to explore the emirate’s unique culture firsthand and in recognition of its growth, this year’s event was moved from the Emir’s palace to the Kwara Baseball Park where two new pavilions, each with a 1,500-seat capacity, were constructed to enhance comfort and access for attendees.

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