More than 3,000 colourfully decorated horses and camels from Northern royalty were used on Saturday for the grand Durbar to mark the Kaduna centenary celebration.

The traditional rulers of Borno, Kano, Gombe, Bida, Zazzau, Bauchi, Hadeja and Keffi were among others that led a team of riders of between 250 and 500 well decorated horses to display their different cultures.

While riding the horses and camels, citizens danced to the rhythm of drums during the celebration. Trumpets blared and gun shots rent the air as warriors showcased how wars were won in the past.

Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai said the Shehu of Borno, Umar ibn Ai-Kanemi led the durbar.

“Kaduna is a Borno city because the state’s first indigenous Governor was Shettima Kashim Ibrahim who was also a title holder in Borno State.

“And we chose the present Shehu of Borno to lead today’s Durbar because coincidentally, his grandfather led the first Durbar in 1956, while his father led the FESTAC (Festival of Arts and Culture) Durbar in1977," El-Rufai said.

El-Rufai said the incumbent Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris wrote on the 1977 FESTAC Durbar when he was much younger.

“This history was related to us by our Royal Father, the Emir of Zazzau. (NAN)

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