Eid al-Fitr Description
The Festival of Breaking the Fast, known as Sallah in Nigeria, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The sighting of the Shawwal moon signals the start of celebrations. On the morning, Muslims dress in elaborate new outfits — flowing babban riga for men and colorful hijabs and gowns for women — and attend large congregational prayers at central mosques and prayer grounds. The Emir's durbar procession in northern cities like Kano, Katsina, and Zaria is a spectacular display of horsemanship, traditional regalia, and cultural pageantry. Families feast on ram meat, rice dishes, and traditional sweets. Government offices, banks, and most businesses close for two days. Children receive Sallah gifts and money, and visits are exchanged between families and neighbors regardless of religion, reflecting Nigeria's interwoven communities.
