Bariki: The Nupe Way — A Photography Exhibition by Abubakar Sadiq Mustapha
The Bariki Festival of the Bida Emirate in Niger state is celebrated twice a year to mark the five-day end of the Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr celebrations in the Emirate. On the last day of the Sallah celebration, the emir and his entourage of title holders, district heads, traditional musicians, magicians, hunters, masquerade men, tourists, and locals proceed to the pavilion located at the Wadata palace. At the grounds are usually performances by musicians, hunters, drama groups, magicians, masquerades, and stick fighters, and paying of homage by members of the royal family, dignitaries, and title holders. After the performances, the emir and his entourage in colorful regalia ride on horseback around the ancient city of Bida and finally to the emir’s palace, where the emir addresses the people. During the emir’s ride home there is usually a display by different groups on horseback, which is led by a traditional title holder or district head, as well as displays by hunters, magicians, and the masquerades known as Ndakogboya.
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