The Gaani Festival in Okuta , Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State Nigeria is a unifying cultural practice for the people in the environs.
Gaani Festival brings to life the indispensability and vitality of language , arts and culture of the people
Zakari Sulaiman
The centre of activity for this year’s edition , Okuta , headquarters of Okuta District played host to both foreign and locals who thronged the ancient community and were visibly excited at the various renditions , rhythms and accompanying dance steps as well as did not hide their feelings as they joined and participated in the celebration .
But beyond the aesthetics of the festival , the annual festival showcased extant cultural heritage of the Batonu people in the area . Routine homestead activities, consumable local foods, the dress habits and more importantly their daily pleasantries among households in the area were brought to the fore by the heritage , especially the universality of Batonu culture which speaks volume within this context of the Gani and other festival of the people.
Besides 6 , celebrations such as dookoru (throwing of fire ), gookperu and so on equally depict the cultural heritage of the tribe . Among these people , regalia such as Takko and paraphernalia show the strength and candour in the Gaani and other cultural activities of the people .
More often than not , the indispensability of language and culture expands tremendously every day in and out . In other words , humanity cannot fully do without making elaborate use of these seemingly inseparable social values .
Above all, it is clear that Batonu people are culture conscious and accord greater priority to this opulent culture that cannot be separated within any communication process as far as heritage is concern .
Gaani Festival as the case may be is a major cultural enterprise instructively and intricately linked with Batonu’s collective experience in terms of cultural, social and even political outlook.
This heritage defines Batonu’s relationship with other neighboring tribes like , Dendis , Boko – Baru , Zabarma just to mention but a few.
In a nutshell , this year’s edition of Gani Festival was exceptional and until another year in the historic town , memories of this festival will linger with the Batonu kingdom extending to Benin Republic where ninety percent of the tribe exist and Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State. Many will continue to relish the event in their minds including visitors who converged at the zonal areas for the grand finale of the three days programme.
Little wonder that on the eve of the heritage known as ‘Donserubu’, prominent personalities , sons and daughters were all present throughout the functions , entertainment were featured till Kpunando (good morning), royal bards, trumpeters , drummers and praised singers were not left out as well as youths night party dancers filled with both indigenous and Western music .
The second day showcased the proper traditional activities highly demonstrated by the Royal lineages , like that of Okuta, when His Royal Highness , Alhaji Abubakar Sero Idris , the Kperogi Afon lll came out in his attractive turban , the staccato of trumpets blustering filled the air to herald his coming , various traditional dancers entertained the audience with their performances . Both the young and old were not behind as they strive to outshine each other while singing and dancing to the delight of the congregation.
All the Emir’s bards on the other hand didn’t disappoint the royal families and their dignitaries. The historians presented and combined oral history in the poetry form and performed to the delight of the audience. They reminded His Royal Highness about the greatness of his ancestors and reeled out pedigree as a war fighter.
The third day of the programme also showcased royal children and their traditional name.
