Ganni Festival is an ancient event celebrated among the Baatonu and Bakobaru races in Baruteen and Kaiama Local governments area of Kwara State. This festival is done in commemoration of their heritage where the religious aspects both the traditional and Muslim are celebrated, displaying the ancient cultures and traditions and for basically initiating the future Queens and Kings of the kingdoms.
It is a flamboyant event that gathers over 50,000 people from all over Kwara state, some ethic groups from different places like Oyo state who are closer to them visit during this festival some neighborhood countries like Mali, Togo and the Republic of Benin also visit.
Gaani, it is a festival of joy or victory. It’s also a royal celebration where horses are costumed with beautiful traditional clothes and perform a race spectacle for their King and the public.
There are traditional dancers executing intricate dance moves representative of culture. The audience takes part of the event by clapping, cheering, singing and at times joining the dance. One thing for sure everyone leaves very cheery and satisfied of what they’ve seen and experienced.
The most exciting part of the event is the performance by the horses and their riders. This is where the riders can show their expertise in training and taming their horses to make certain moves as well as how their horse racing skills.
For those who are decendants of the royal family, there’s an air proudness and humbleness that’s carried through their persona and during the festival.
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