Ilorin: The Emir’s palace ,its rich history & memories
From Romoke W. Ahmad, Ilorin
The Emir of Ilorin’s Palace which houses other historical items ,could serve as a tourist centre to visitors who wish to know more about the origin and culture of the ancient city.
Ilorin, the Kwara state capital is known for many untapped tourist centres among which is the palace that has other structures of interest to lovers of tourism.
There are four pillars in front of the emir’s palace.Many do not know the story behind it but see is as a decoration of the palace ,but information made available to our correspondent ,revealed that the pillars form part of the history of Ilorin.
The clerk to the emir and palace tour guide Alhaji Muhammed Salman, during the tour of the palace ,said the four pillars are synonymous with the people of Ilorin .
The story behind the four pillars is that one of the emirs that reigned in Ilorin fought and won four wars against the traditional worshippers, so at the end of each war, he would put up a pillar to indicate that he conquered those he fought with ,and that is why it is in the family pedigree of the emirs in Ilorin.
There is a drum in the palace with a long rope that is usually hung on one of the pillars with other smaller drums called bembe, as well as a trumpet. The drummers would be at the front, while the trumpeter would stand behind them and play all the instruments.
The drums and the trumpet are usually beaten every Thursday night and Friday morning. The drums and the trumpet were also played at the sight of the crescent to mark the beginning of fasting which usually starts from the four pillars and is beaten round the town, to announce the start of fasting and its end. They also play them to announce the celebration of big Sallah as well as to announce the arrival of a new baby boy of the Emir on the throne ,and other occasions.
Apart from these pillars, the palace also has a Mosque which is one of the oldest in the ancient town, and it is so significant that all emirs who have reigned and the present one, were turbaned there. The ceremony for a new emir starts from the Mosque, and also it is an important place for all the chiefs to visit before they can be turbaned.
The palace Mosque according to history is older than Nigeria itself.
According to Salman, ”The mosque in front of emir’s palace is where a newly selected emir is turbaned. It was built in 1351 Islamic year and is also older than the palace itself. It is significant to enthroning of emirs because the appointed person would be brought to the mosque very early in the morning before the morning prayer ,and be turbaned. The person also leads the congregation prayer before moving into the palace for other ceremonies, while the chiefs are brought to the same mosque on Friday morning and turbaned in front of the emir inside the palace.”
Ilorin which is also known for having the highest number of Islamic clerics in Nigeria, attaches importance to prayer sites and highly regards such sites in the town .One of such is a point where Sheik Alimi, the premier emir of Ilorin usually performs ablution, prayed and received visitors.
“This spot has a building before it was demolished and it is the spot where Sheik Alimi usually received visitors, performed ablution and prayed. The building has been demolished and replaced with a sign as a remembrance for historical purposes. People are not allowed to sit or stand on it for preservation purposes and a sign of respect,” the tour guide explained.
the palace also has a Mosque which is one of the oldest in the ancient town, and it is so significant that all emirs who have reigned and the present one, were turbaned there
Festivities just like other towns are marked with series of activities such as horse riding and cultural displays in front of the palace. These activities are watched by people within and outside Nigeria. To satisfy visitors during these periods, a place is reserved outside the palace which is elevated for the viewing pleasure of the visitors ,but has now been used by the governor of the state to welcome the emir back into the palace after the Eid prayer during Sallah.
Salman’s words, “The veranda upstairs at the entrance of the palace is where the Colonial Masters used to stand and watch the procession in front of the palace with horses as well as other cultural displays in the olden days ,but now the governor of the state uses it as a waiting point for the arrival of the emir from the praying ground during Sallah. On arrival, the emir will greet the governor and welcome him into the palace which indicates the sign of a cordial relationship between the people of Ilorin and the governor of the state. That culture has been there since the colonial era.”
Another area of interest at the palace is that of one important chief among all the chiefs at the palace and he is called Serikin Salama (it means the Chief who welcomes visitors and announce their arrival to the emir),one who determines whether visitors can see the emir or not. “In fact, he is so powerful that even if visitors are looking at the emir he can tell them that Emir is not around,” Salman said. He adds that there are those they call Seeji of the emir; who are like warriors who are ready to face anybody who attempts to act strangely.
Another place in the palace is the Sheik Alimi’s Quranic centre which is now used for preaching during the month of Ramadan. They also pray there during the Islamic month before, during and after fasting , while the Quran is also recited there throughout the three months. Prayers for important dignitaries are also organised at the place.
The Ilorin palace is also known to house other palace of emirs from the north ,because of the cordial relationship between them.
Salman said, “The palace as you can see also has two other palaces inside, and a royal suite that can contain 11 emirs with their entourage. We have the emir of Gwandu’s house for any of the emirs visiting the palace for his entourage ,and there is also the house of the Emir of Sokoto. The Sultan of Sokoto usually stays in that particular building named the Emir of Sokoto’s house whenever is in Ilorin.
We also have a kitchen for the emirs who travel to Ilorin with their cooks, and prepare their traditional delicacies if they so wish.”
For the lovers of lawn tennis, it may interest you to also know that the Emir of Ilorin is one of those who exercise by playing lawn tennis, and he demonstrates this with construction of a lawn tennis court in the palace.
If anyone has not seen a mini zoo before, the palace also houses some animals as well a stable in the palace.