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Zaria Durbar – Thursday 11 October 2007

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The Durbar is a celebration at Eid-el-Fitr, which is the festival at the end of Ramadan, during which the various clans present themselves to the local Emir. We made a one-day trip. We did not have seats in the stands, rather we were in the crowd.  Here’s what we saw:

Contact:

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Rating:

Easy with some walking possible.

Security:

US embassy Regional Security Office reports no security issues. However, you may be in the crowd, so common precautions should be taken.

Gear:

Be sure to bring mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Bring your accoutrement along with food for a picnic.  It may be warm and very sunny, or it may be rainy, be prepared either way.

Costs:

- Full tank of petrol (fuel up the day before, please!) If you ride with someone, please contribute to their fuel costs.

- Money for normal contingencies (properly secured)

- Plenty of strong sun block

- Anti-bug stuff

- Lots of water – 2 times as much as you think you need

- Comfortable loose clothing that covers your skin but allows the breeze to come through

- Sun hat

- Easily maneuverable picnic

- Camera – there are many people taking pictures at the Durbar, however normal precautions are advised

Timing:

This is a day trip with no overnight.

The schedule is:

- Meet at 6:30 am – yes you see it correctly, at 6:30 in the morning, Thursday 11 October 2007

- Drive to Kaduna (approx. 2 hrs 15 mins)

- Break in Kaduna

- Drive to Zaria (approx 45 mins)

- Park, get situated.

- Enjoy the Durbar / have picnic (3 hours for the Durbar)

- Regroup and drive back to Abuja

If the Durbar starts on time, and if all else goes smoothly enough, we should be back in Abuja by 5.  But, don’t count on it.  In any event, we will be back by sundown.

Directions:

Take the main road from Abuja (northeast corner of Maitama) to Kaduna. Continue to Zaria.