DURBAR FESTIVAL

Of Farsi origin, the word Durbar literally means "reception". During this festival held in Wa in October, the king must step over a cow or he will be executed. As in all the receptions, the king, always richly dressed, sits and receives the homage of his subjects, to whom he grants hospitality and gives gifts. A celebration of the same name is also held in the villages of northern Nigeria and usually marks the end of Ramadan. Prayers and horse parades are included in the Nigerian version.