In a bid to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Kano State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has directed all Emirs in the state to uphold the annual Durbar Festival—a centuries-old traditional horse-riding event symbolizing the grandeur and identity of Kano people.

Governor Yusuf also pledged the full support of the Kano State Government to all Emirates to ensure that the age-long tradition of horsemanship is preserved, strengthened, and showcased to the world.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the directive was given during the opening ceremony of KANFEST (Kalankuwa) 2025, a grand festival celebrating Kano’s cultural diversity.

The governor noted that KANFEST aims to empower creatives, engage youth and women, and foster global partnerships that will project Kano on the international cultural map.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuous investment in arts, culture, and tourism as vital tools for social cohesion, youth empowerment, and economic diversification.

In his remarks, the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the State Council of Emirates, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, commended the foresight of the Kano State Government in reviving and promoting the once-diminished yet invaluable traditions of the Kano people.

The three-day festival features a rich lineup of cultural and artistic showcases, including local cuisine exhibitions, performances, traditional games, drama, crafts, fabrics, pottery displays, and paper presentations from notable scholars and cultural experts.

The event attracted a wide range of participants, including traditional title holders, members of the diplomatic corps, artisans, cultural groups, investors, youth, and artists, among other key stakeholders in the culture and tourism industry.