No fewer than 500 horse riders would participate in this year’s rejuvenated Ilorin Emirate Grand Durbar scheduled for Wednesday.
The Chairman of the Grand Durbar Committee, Sulyman Alapansanpa, made this known on Friday in Ilorin while briefing journalists on the event.
The chairman described durbar as a unique ceremonial display and a cultural procession of well-decorated and garrisoned horses mounted by the royalty and other eminent citizens of the emirate to celebrate an important cultural epoch or religious event.
He said reviving the durbar was aimed at bringing back the rich culture of the emirate as typified in the display by horse riders during the durbar.
“Such an important cultural event has the tendency of reminding us of our glorious past as a united people who were always proud of what united them as opposed to divisive tendencies.
“It will also prepare the entire Ilorin Emirate community against the danger inherent in the unguarded cultural dynamism of our contemporary times,” he added.
According to the chairman, the growing cultural imperialism, if left unchecked, may destroy the fabric, essence and organic foundation of the emirate.
“The organisation of durbar will also discourage the penetration of foreign culture into the psyche and consciousness of our often impressionistic younger ones who are often exposed to attractive but destructive cultural products of the western world.
“With the regular organisation of the durbar and the participation in one way or the other by our growing population, the youths will surely develop an affinity for what is ours and do away with what is detestable,’’ he said.
He also said the organisers would check the tendencies to use the durbar to promote sexual promiscuity, drug addiction and thuggery.
Alapansanpa said the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, would lead the durbar on his decorated horse and ride through Isale-Oja to General hospital area of Ilorin.
He would from there proceed to Baboko area before passing through Taiwo Oke and Taiwo Isale areas of Ilorin to return to the palace.
