The Daura Emirate in Katsina State has concluded a three-day celebration of the 2026 International Day of Hausa with colorful cultural displays, traditional performances and a grand horse-riding durbar at the Emir’s Palace.
The celebration began on Aug. 24 with Jajibirin Sallar Gani, the eve of the traditional festivities, followed by Sallar Gani Day, which featured prayers and community gatherings.
The grand finale on Wednesday, Ranar Hausa da Hawan Magajiya, brought together various expressions of Hausa culture, including Dambe, Kokowa, Shadi, Kade-kade dances and a colourful horse-riding durbar.
District heads representing the Hausa Bakwai and Banza Bakwai took part in the durbar, adding a historic dimension to the celebration.
The event also attracted traditional rulers and title holders from across Nigeria, particularly representatives of emirates linked to Daura’s history, turning the celebration into a major reunion of Hausa heritage.
The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruq Umar, said the celebration sought to preserve Hausa culture and pass its values to future generations.
“Daura is the cradle of the Hausa people. Today, we gather not just to celebrate, but to remind ourselves and the world that our language, our traditions and values must be preserved for generations to come,” the emir said.
He urged young people to embrace the Hausa language, traditional attire and history.
“I call on our young people to take pride in speaking Hausa, in dressing in our attire and in learning our history. A people without culture is a people without identity,” he said.
The emir described the International Day of Hausa as an opportunity to strengthen unity among the Hausa Bakwai and Banza Bakwai.
“This International Day of Hausa shows us that from Hausa Bakwai to Banza Bakwai, we are one people. Let us use this culture to promote peace, unity and development in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
The Minister of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Hajiya Hannatu Musawa, described Hausa culture as both a national treasure and a global heritage.
Musawa said the culture belonged not only to Hausa people but formed an important part of Nigeria’s collective heritage.
“Hausa culture is not just for Hausa people; it is a Nigerian treasure and a global heritage,” she said.
The minister said events such as the Daura celebration offered an opportunity to showcase the richness of Nigerian traditions to the world.
“When we promote our festivals, our Dambe, our Durbar, and our language, we are not only preserving identity; we are also creating jobs, attracting tourists, and building the economy. Culture is business,” she said.
Musawa pledged the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism’s support for initiatives that preserve Nigerian languages and strengthen traditional institutions.
“Daura has set the standard today, and we will take this message across the nation,” she said.
Other dignitaries at the celebration included Alhaji Usman Jaye, who represented the Katsina State Governor; the Dan Malikin Katsina; and the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon. Nasir Yahaya.
