At Nigeria’s west-central edge, where Kwara State meets Benin Republic, Okuta, a historic town of horsemen and farmers in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State is gearing up for its grandest celebration yet.
From Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13, 2026, the Okuta border town of Baruten Local Government Area, will host the annual Okuta Gaani Festival at the Palace of the Emir of Okuta and other designated locations across the emirate.
His Royal Highness, the Emir of Okuta, Alhaji Dr Idris Abubakar (Serobetete III), officially announced the dates for the 2026 Okuta Gaani Festival in his Emirate. According to the announcement, the three-day festival will be observed thus; Sakiru- Friday, September 11, Soniru- Saturday, September 12, and Kaayesi- Sunday, September 13, 2026.
While Kwara State is blessed with several cultural festivals such as Shao Awonga of Shao community in Moro local government, the Ijakadi (wrestling) in Offa, Offa local government, among others, the Okuta Gaani festival in Baruten local government area of Kwara State, remains one of the festivals that stands out.
The Okuta Gaani festival is a specific local festival of the broader Gaani festival. It is a vibrant annual cultural festival among the Bartonum people of the old Borgu empire, who currently are occupying Baruten and Kaiama local government areas of Kwara State. It is also the second most popular festival among the people of Nigeria’s border communities after the Islamic festival of Eid-el-Fitr and Eld-el-Kabir.
The Gaani festival owes its roots back to the 16th century in Nikki, the headquarters of the ancient Borgu Empire, now in modern-day Benin. It traditionally flags off in Nikki to commemorate the Islamic month of Mawlid (birth of Prophet Muhammad).
Subsequently, Gaani became a major cultural and traditional event celebrated across multiple communities and emirates inhabited by the Batonu people which span across parts of Nigeria such as Okuta, Baruba, and Kaiama in Kwara State, and parts of Niger State, as well as neighbouring countries like Benin Republic, Mali and Togo.
The uniqueness of the Gaani festival stems from the way it entrenches and promotes trans-border relations between the Nigeria people and their kinsmen in the Benin Republic. Gaani festival is also a unifying factor and a place, where these people of the same trait, identity and historical background meet and celebrate their culture.
Historically, Gaani is also considered a feast in honour of departed monarchs and ancestors who reportedly initiated the festival over 300 years ago.
Whenever the Gaani festival is held in Okuta, Kwara State, activities assume the following order for three consecutive days between Friday and Sunday.
Friday, which is the first day, is Gaani Eve, a day set aside for display of various types of drums peculiar to their culture at the emir’s palace. The elders will also converge at the palace, where praise-singers perform to the admiration of the people. The day also avails royal children that travel home from their various places to meet, sit down together and interact till dawn.
Saturday, the second day, is the main day of the festival, when the emir in the early morning, pays a visit to his ancestors and offers prayers at the graveyard of his predecessors for a peaceful reign and tremendous development in his domain. Immediately after he delivers his message, cultural activities begin and feature horsemanship, different cultural dances and acrobatic displays, among others. At the festival proper, all clans and provincial heads pay homage to the Emir as the custodian of traditional institutions in the area. Princes also come to receive their ancestors, whose spirits are believed to enter the royal drums reserved for the occasion. All the children from the royal families both the Princes and Princesses, come out to shave their hairs in order to be given traditional titles.
The third day, which is Sunday, is for the departure of guests. And in some cases, not every year, some distinguished personalities are bestowed with traditional titles.
The Baruten Traditional Council has also stated that the three-day 2026 Okuta Gaani Festival is packed with mind blowing activities such as the Jumat Prayer, Outing of Rayal Drums, Horse Riding/Baradubu, and Traditional Dances/Acrobatics.
The Okuta Gaani Festival is not only a cultural highlight but also a platform to promote tourism, attract visitors from far and near, and boost the local economy. Thousands of participants, including traditional rulers, dignitaries, tourists, and residents, are expected to grace the event in celebration of this unique cultural heritage.
Cultural experts have also noted the uniqueness. While Ilorin has Durbar and Owo has Igogo, Okuta’s Gaani blends Islamic tradition, Baruba horsemanship, and agrarian thanksgiving. A mix found only here.
