The Federal Government on Tuesday received the official certificate for the inscription of the Kano Durbar festival on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The certificate was presented by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Dr Hajo Sani, to the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, in Abuja.
The Kano Durbar, a cultural festival in Northern Nigeria, has existed for over 500 years. Introduced in the late 15th century by Sarki Muhammadu Rumfa of Kano, it began as a display of military power and evolved into a ceremonial event celebrated during annual Eids, the installation of new Emirs, and the welcoming of dignitaries.
Dr Sani congratulated President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians on the milestone, highlighting the festival’s global recognition at UNESCO’s 19th Session in Asunción, Paraguay. She noted that Kano Durbar’s inclusion brings the number of Nigerian items on the list to eight, urging stakeholders to sustain and promote the festival.
Minister Musawa praised President Tinubu’s enthusiasm over the achievement and affirmed her commitment to working with UNESCO to enhance Nigeria’s cultural heritage globally.
