Lekan Okanlawon, a UK-based Nigerian, has expressed his frustration after the cancellation of the Kano Sallah Durbar disrupted plans to set a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of horse riders. Okanlawon, who had traveled with a group of polo players and other enthusiasts to participate in the event, said the sudden decision left him and over 160 tourists disappointed.
Speaking in Kano, Okanlawon explained that his team had hoped to achieve global recognition for the iconic cultural festival, which has long been celebrated in the city as part of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations. The event, known for its impressive horse procession, was particularly attractive for its unique status. The Durbar had already been recognized by UNESCO as part of its heritage program, adding to its cultural significance.
“We aimed to set a Guinness World Record by showcasing the Kano Durbar’s unique horse procession, which involves over 5,000 horses. Unfortunately, we were informed of the cancellation at the last minute,” Okanlawon shared. “Many of my friends had shipped their horses from the UK to participate, and they were incredibly disappointed when they learned that the event had been called off. If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have made the trip.”
The Sallah Durbar, a centuries-old tradition, is a significant event in Kano, marked by colorful parades, traditional music, and, most notably, a horse procession featuring hundreds of riders in ceremonial attire. This year, the event was supposed to be more special, with the hope of securing a Guinness World Record. The gathering of thousands of riders was seen as a perfect candidate for global recognition, and with the event already being an important part of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, many believed it was time for the world to take notice.
In his statement, Okanlawon highlighted that the sheer size and cultural depth of the event made it deserving of global attention. He called for the Kano State History and Culture Bureau, along with the Ministry of Creative Economy, to collaborate in maximizing the event’s potential. With proper planning, he believed that the Durbar could still achieve the Guinness World Record, attracting both international recognition and tourism to Kano.
“There is no cultural event in Nigeria like Kano’s Durbar. The number of horse riders involved is incomparable, and with proper coordination, I’m confident it could earn a Guinness World Record,” Okanlawon said. “This event has been recognized by UNESCO, and it deserves to be properly showcased to the world.”
The cancellation of the Sallah Durbar not only disappointed those who had traveled from far and wide but also highlighted a missed opportunity for the city of Kano to elevate its cultural heritage to the global stage. One of the tourists, Virgil Taylor from the United States, described the experience as “devastating.” Taylor, who had planned his trip for over a year, had been eager to witness the Durbar as part of a personal journey to connect with his African roots.
“As a black man living in America, it was empowering to come to Kano and see my people celebrated in such a grand way,” Taylor shared. “The Durbar was a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience I had been eagerly anticipating. To find out that it was cancelled after traveling all the way here was terribly disappointing.”
The cancellation has raised concerns about the organization and planning of events like the Durbar, which have the potential to attract international tourists and enhance Nigeria’s cultural profile globally. The Kano Durbar is not just a local or national event; it is a major draw for tourists from across the world, particularly those interested in Africa’s rich history and traditions. The cancellation has, therefore, not only led to emotional disappointment but also economic losses for the tourism and hospitality sectors in Kano.
Ahmad Yusuf, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State History and Culture Bureau, acknowledged the impact of the cancellation, both culturally and economically. He expressed hope for better planning and coordination in future events to avoid such setbacks.
“The cancellation of the Durbar has certainly resulted in a cultural and economic loss. We are aware of the disappointment felt by many, especially tourists who came from abroad to be part of the event. We hope that this will serve as a lesson for better planning in the future,” Yusuf said.
The cancellation has also affected efforts to elevate the Sallah Durbar to an internationally recognized event, further hindering tourism and the global visibility of Kano’s cultural assets. While the city has long been known for its vibrant traditions, including the Sallah Durbar, the ambition to raise the profile of the event globally is a relatively new development.
For Okanlawon and his friends, the sudden cancellation has been a major setback. Having invested significant time and resources in preparing for the event, they had hoped that the Durbar would put Kano on the map in a new way. But despite the disappointment, Okanlawon remains optimistic that with the right coordination and collaboration, the event can still achieve the recognition it deserves in the future.
“I believe in the potential of the Kano Durbar,” Okanlawon said. “There is no other event in Nigeria that compares to it in terms of cultural significance, and I know that with better planning, it can become a globally recognized event. We just need to keep pushing for it.”
As the Kano State government and relevant authorities work to ensure that future Durbar events are properly organized, the hope is that this setback will lead to more effective and coordinated efforts in showcasing the city’s rich heritage. Despite the disappointment of this year’s cancellation, there is still hope that the Kano Sallah Durbar can one day secure a place in the Guinness World Records and become a cultural phenomenon on the world stage.
In the meantime, Okanlawon’s call for better collaboration between the Kano State History and Culture Bureau, the Ministry of Creative Economy, and other stakeholders in the tourism and cultural sectors remains a key aspect of the conversation. As Nigeria continues to celebrate its diverse cultures and traditions, events like the Sallah Durbar hold immense potential for not only preserving history but also promoting the country’s rich heritage to a global audience.
