THE ANNUAL GAANI FESTIVAL IN YASHIKERA AND ITS ORIGINES

THE ANNUAL GAANI FESTIVAL IN YASHIKIRA AND ITS ORIGINES

BY

HRH ALH. AMB. UMARU USMAN SARIKI

SABIKPASSI II, EMIR OF YASHIKIRA

And

SALAWUDEEN O. M. OF NATIONAL MUSEUM ILORIN

2014-2016

INTRODUCTION :

A society without its culture and glorious heritage will be regarded as bankrupt because culture develops, cultivates and refines the society by means of good principles and their applications to the daily lives of its members. Sociologists defined culture as a way by which people develop a set of rules and procedure together with a supporting set of ideas and values for meeting their needs. All human institutions like politics, religion, education, family and marriage, economic etc., cannot be formed without been built by culture. Culture in itself teaches how to behave like an ideal human being in the society, and this makes the Batonu/Boko culture of the people of Yashikira exceptionally different from every other culture all over the country.

Indeed, one cannot underestimate the fact that just as the road to heaven is said to be crooked and narrowed, with many not privileged to enter, same can be said of the road to Yashikira “Annual Gaani Festival”. In spite of their variation in culture, age disparities, class diversities and ideological differences the festival is a colorful event that is very rich in mythology. They see thousands of people and produce feelings of love and brotherhood among members of different ethnic groups all over the country as well as foreign tourist gracing the occasion yearly.

Apart from this, the traditional healers are always at hand to display their charms, Armlets and concoctions with proof of potency on different ailments.

Economically, apart from the revenue generated from the tourists that visit the festival, the festival also serves as a source of income generation for the immediate community. This could be seen through the different businesses that go on within the community in which the tourists, visitors and researchers were patronized. Herbal practitioners and traditional doctors procure materials for healing and other medicinal applications from the large variety of the plant species in the area.

In the light of this, the Emir of Yashikira, His Royal Highness Alh. Usman Umaru Sariki (Sabikpassi II) and the entire people of Yashikira earmarked 17th, 18th and 19th of the 3rd Month of lunar calendar as a great memorable day for the celebration of the Kingdoms nineteenth century “annual Gani Festival”. This coincides with the same month the birth of Prophet Mohammed is celebrated to promote and preserve genuinely the people’s culture for economic gains.

The festival is actually celebrated a week or the week end following the celebration of the same festival at Nikki, the historical capital of the Batombu (Bariba, Baruba or Bargawa).

National Museum Ilorin Research officer, Mr. Salawudeen O.M. interviewing the Emir of Yashikira

Speaking to the research officer of National Museum Ilorin Mr. Salawudeen O. M during the festival in his palace, the Emir of Yashikira Alh. Usman umaru Sariki (Sabikpassi II) asserted that if both the federal and the state Government should assist in promoting the “annual Gani festival” in Yashikira and the potentials of the festival are adequately appraised and harnessed, it will co-opt the local and create opportunities for personal or collective economic growth. The tourism will become a huge income earner and the economy of the state will not only be boosted, but the overall wellbeing of the community will be improved. By so doing, it will transform Yashikira community into tourism hub of Nigeria and the festival will be promoted to international standard. “By the time the cultural diversity of Yashikira is being harmonized into a major festival, it will be more attractive and innovative” He said.

According to him, if annual Gani Festival in Yashikira is given adequate attention by both the federal and state Government, it will serve as a Centre for unity, peaceful co-existence and national development. He commended the effort of the National commission for Museums and monuments for the support and laudable initiatives in a bid to make culture a Centre piece for national development.

In his remark, he applauded the effort of National commission for museums and monuments under the leadership of Mallam Yusuf Abdallah to assist them in restoring the dignity of Yashikira through promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of the community.

BRIEF HISTORY OF BATONU PEOPLE OF YASHIKIRA

The History of Yashikira community cannot be comprehended without taking into consideration the position it occupies within the larger context of Nikki and Borgu. Bariba people hold an important place in the history of the country. During the late 19th century, Bargawa were known to constitute independent states and domains with kingdoms in cities like Nikki and Kandi in the Northeast of the country. Historically, it is only Yashikira from Baruten in Nigeria that is qualified to contest for the stool of Nikki. In fact Sabi Ojo of Yashikira became Sabi-Naina, King of Nikki in 1903. The contests for the exalted throne of Nikki brought about wars among the five princedoms that could contest for it. These contests also caused waves of movements out of Nikki in the beginning of the nineteenth century. One of such movement brought about the rivalry between the Sanu-Lafiaru and the Sessi-Makararu that made the town of Yashikira very famous. Yashikira is believed to have been in existence long before it was founded by noble Lafiaru princes. The initial inhabitants of the town were aboriginal Baatonu (Baruba) people of Kane clan who had in the past lived in rocks artistically incised into habitable sizes for the families and indeed the entire community of the town. This served as a defensive mechanisms for the people. The town was established around 1758 by Shero Lafia, son of Kpe-Lafia Gambaru. In 1827 Umaru Bakatara (a Lafiaru prince) opposed to Woru Kassakperegi, (a prince from Makararu) established his war camp at Kali also referred to as Yasiki-Bansu, (Old Yashikira). This site located on the top of a hill was a secured war camp from where an ambush was laid for the famous Woru Kassakperegi who was beheaded around 1860. His remains buried at Kali made it

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