Sallar Gani is an old tradition in Hadejia, Jigawa state. It is celebrated annually particularly during the Month of Rabiúl Auwal, in the Islamic calendar when Muslims are celebrating Maulud, the birth day of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
According to the former Galadiman Jauje of Hadejia, Alhaji Baba Daudu, the tradition was introduced by the Emir of Hadejia, late Abdulkadir, 91 years ago. Galadiman Jauje
added that the late Emir introduced the Hawan Gani and Hawan Bariki during his reign, where festivities including a special durbar are being carried out. Gani is a 3-day festivity in Hadejia town.
On the first day, the Emir and his entourage will leave the palace on horses in the evening hours and go round the town. The entourage will lead the Emir round the town through Unguwar-Bayi to Magama-Hudu then to Ramin-Hudu to Charbin-Barau, pass through Majema to Bakin-Kasuwa then to Makwalla to Kofar-Jerma and to the Hadejia Juma'at Mosque, where the Emir makes a stop over and receive greetings from the horse riders. This special greeting is traditionally called Jafi.
After greeting the Emir, the entourage will
forge ahead to the palace, while the Emir will remain there until all horse riders have passed. At the palace the district heads and their associates will line up at the front of the Emir’s palace and wait for the Emir. When the riders have settled at the palace, the Emir will be informed, and he will then move to his palace to deliver his annual Gani message to the Governor and other top Government officials, who have been seated there waiting for his arrival.
The entourage was arranged in such a way that the princes, district and ward heads, as well as other horse riders will be at the front followed by the Emir, and finally the Wamban Hadejia and District head of Balangu. This is why the District head of Balangu is called Kurar-Baya, which literally means the Emir’s rear body guard.
On the second day, the Emir and his
entourage will ride their horses and head to Bariki, popularly known as Nassarawa, where in those days the Emir will intimate the colonial masters about the problems and yearnings of the people, for the latter to address them.
However, now that, the country has secured its independence, the Emir passes the message to Government officials, including the representative of the state Governor, the Local Government Chairman and other Government officials.
After delivering his annual speech at Bariki,
the Emir and his entourage will then return to the palace. The Emir will enter his home, while other horse riders will leave for their respective homes. Thus marks the end of the second day’s activities.
For the third and the final day, the Emir and
his entourage will leave the palace to Babban- Daki (residence of the Emir’s mother) for the annual greeting. This greeting is the last segment of the Gani festival in Hadejia Local Government.
By virtue of the activities taking place in Hadejia town during Gani, one would believe that to an average Hadejia indigene, the tradition is a replica of Eid-fitr or Eid-el-Kabir festivals. The Emir and the entire districts heads, as well as other traditional title holders are the participants of the special durbar. Taskar Suleiman Ginsau
The durbar is usually conducted in the evening hours, where the Emir and other traditional leaders ride their horses. The horses are usually decorated in different ways just to please visitors and other lookers, during the festival.
Traditional drummers could also be seen
performing during Gani festival. While some of these local drummers were performing independently, others are sponsored by either district heads or ward heads to be in their entourage.
Because of the importance accorded to the Gani festival by people of Hadejia, individuals particularly children could be seen wearing new clothes during the fiesta. Some households also share delicious dishes with relatives, friends, well-wishers and neighbours, on the day of Gani festival. Taskar Suleiman Ginsau
Shedding light on the Gani festivity in Hadejia, the former Galadiman Jauje of Hadejia, Alhaji Baba Daudu said he was born in the year when the then Emir of Hadejia, late Abdulkadir, introduced the Hawan Gani and Hawan Bariki.
Baba Daudu say he has been attending the annual Gani fiesta since the reign of the Emir of Hadejia, late Usman. He added that, “I have attended Gano under the reigns of four Emirs which include late Emir Usman, late Emir Haruna, and late Emir Maje and now under the Emir Adamu.”
Daudu recalled that “the festivity is advancing now. Things are changing concerning the conduct of the annual festival. In the olden days, the activities were not as much as they are presently. The number of horse riders are many now, unlike in the past where only few
horses were participating.” Taskar Suleiman Ginsau
Monday 12-12-2016
