Nigeria
Trip to Northern Nigeria:
Durbar Festival and Hausa Emirates
17 – 26 Mar 2026 TRIP COMPLETED
Last Places have designed this trip to northern Nigeria with the aim of getting to know the Hausa culture and attending the Durbar Festival. To achieve it, we will visit the emirates of Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, and Bauchi, where we can admire old Hausa-style adobe palaces as well as meet members of royalty. During this time of year, the Durbar Festival parade is held in the Emirates, an spectacular horse parade led by Fulani-Hausa nobles, full of color and energy. Also, we will meet the Zul tribe, enjoy the spectacle of a clan of the Gadawan Kura, known as the 'hyena men', and witness a Sharo Festival of a Fulani community. We'll explore Kano's bustling markets, filled with vibrant indigo fabrics and exotic leathers, ideal for discovering authentic handicrafts.
Download the itinerary for this trip to Nigeria to live the Durbar Festival
Using the form below, you can download the detailed itinerary of this trip to Nigeria to live the Durbar Festival. Click here to easily reach the form.
Our trip to Nigeria: what we will discover
Discover the highlights of this trip to Nigeria to live the Durbar Festival
► We will discover the culture of the Hausa people
During this trip to northern Nigeria, we will visit the Kano, Zaria and Dutse emirates to immerse ourselves in the culture of the Hausa people.
Durbar Festival
On this trip to Nigeria, we will have the opportunity to live the Durbar Festival. It's a cultural, religious and equestrian celebration held annually, usually coinciding with major Muslim festivities. It was born as military parades on 14th century. During the celebration of the Durbar Festival, each noble house parades before the Emir, acting as a regiment, to demonstrate their loyalty to him as well as displaying that they are ready to defend him in the event of war.
Hausa architecture
Hausa architecture stands out for its adaptation to the dry and hot ecosystem, since its thick walls keep the interior cooler and more insulated. During this trip to northern Nigeria, we will admire the colorful motifs and decorations of the Hausa buildings. The complexity of the decoration of the facades usually demonstrates the wealth and social position of the owner.
Dambe boxing
Dambe boxing is a traditional martial art of the Hausa people. During the fight, the competitors try to subdue the opponent until one of them achieves total submission, mainly in three rounds.
► Meeting with the Zul tribe
We will visit a town of the Zul tribe. This animist ethnic group has unique traditions, such as facial tattoos (only seen in older generations) and a particular mirror dance.
► We will attend a 'hyena men' show
On this trip to northern Nigeria, we will have the opportunity to witness the show of a clan of 'hyena men'. This is a cast of masters in the technique of taming wild animals, which is used to entertain at special celebrations and to recover the custom of magic in rural areas.
► We will witness a Fulani Sharo Festival
In the Fulani community of Kantoga, we will be able to witness a Sharo Festival. During this event, young men hit each other with sticks to demonstrate their bravery and strength.
© Photos by Jordi Zaragozà Anglès, Aníbal BuenoandJorge Fernández taken during a trip to Nigeria to live the Durbar Festival.
► Download the detailed itinerary for this trip to Nigeria to live the Durbar Festival
Click on the button below to easily reach the itinerary download form for this trip to Nigeria to live the Durbar Festival.
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