In an apparent show of power, and authority, the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Saturday stormed the ongoing Kano Festival (Kalankuwa) with no fewer than 2000 horses in a colourful processions that drew applause from spectators at the Kano Trade Fair Complex.

The maiden edition of KANFEST (Kalankuwa), a grand festival celebrating arts and culture, was designed by Kano State Government to reinvent Kano traditions for its sweeping impact on its citizens

Kalankuwa is a festival that connect younger generations with the past, while showcasing the state’s heritage to people within and outside Nigeria.

Sunusi’s arrival to the complex was heralded by staccato of gun shots in the air by Royal Guards dressed in the traditional red and green attires .

The piercing and deafening sound of gunshots by Sanusi II’s royal guards, though unsettling to some guests, remains a ‘royal tradition sustained over time’.

Sanusi, dressed in a multi colored attire with an orange colored veil, and a hat to match clichéd his fist to acknowledged cheers from his subjects that dominated the complex.

Declaring the KANFEST 2025 edition opened, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf said “we officially flag up the first edition of KANFEST publicly known as Kalankuwa, let it serve as a platform to celebrate who we are, a proud people of history, proud people of culture, and proud people of creativity. “

Yusuf stated that “let me also remind us that our heritage is not a relic of the past, but a living asset for the future generations yet to come. (Saturday Independent)