The ceremonial presentation of horses known as kumba or durbar which takes place on several occasions in Borno, is an age old tradition of high estimation in the history of Kanem Borno Empire. References to horses in historical and anthropological sources attest to this high estimation of horses. For instance, History of West Africa edited by Ajayi mentions of Bahar El-Gazel in Kanem as a fountain of horses and that even Safy Dhi Yazan, the founder of the Kanem-Borno Empire used horses in waging wars that united the diverse ethnic groups of the old kingdom. It can therefore be safely stated that until recently the horse was the amoured car of the Kanem- Borno Empire. It is no wonder then that Kanuri artists praise the horse by saying, ‘’dunya furlan gartin, furlan tiwetin’’, meaning ‘’the world is welded together by the horse and separated by the horse.’’ Furthermore, in the praise songs of the rulers of Kanem-Borno collected by Patterson, a District Officer in the colonial times, the king’s power is mentioned by references to abundance of his horses as follows ‘’karaga kimetuga ngirma kimenin waraktema, Aji gana, meaning ‘’your camp will turn the woods brown with horses.’’
And even in the modern era of beautiful cars, the Shehu is acclaimed for the number, quality and decoration of his horses. Similarly, all the important title holders from the Waziri of Borno to the District Heads (Ajawa) Commanders (Kazallawa) Courtiers (Kowunawa) etc pride themselves by the decoration and agility of their horses.
Order of Procession in Durbars
The procession begins with the arrival of the contingent of the Shehu in groups in the following order.
1. The first group to be seen is the player the drum with the shape of tumbrel known as ‘Turumbel’ and a man who blows a bugle known as burujima. They are followed by persons on horse backs, bearing three traditional objects called Kalam (a tall object made of grass with a hat-like end), Alam (flag) (with the shape of a big umbrella) and Rum (a spear-like object). All these are symbols of power and authority. They are followed by twelve field commanders called Kazallawa Askirbe.
2. The second group comprise two camels bearing the drums called tumbal. The camels are ridden and richly decorated with embroideries, covering their faces and chests
3. In the third group are the commander’’s called Kazallawa Kazaabe’’ namely Kazallah Ali Mosuwama-a Kazalla Ali Fuwumami, Kazallah Yemani and Kazalla Kamba
4. The fourth contingent of the Shehu consists of twelve horses with all parts of their body richly decorated with silver and expensive materials. These horses, whose saddles and spurs are also made of silver, have each a silver sword slung on it. The horses are called sulu and they are not ridden. They all belong to the Shehu and are led by the reign by his body guards.
5. The fifth group is made up of twelve men called balbalwu who are in multi-coloured uniform. They carry swords and add colour to the event by majestic dance.
6. In the sixth group comes His Royal Highness the Shehu of Borno on a horse richly decorated horse with silver and expensive materials like the sulu horses. As the Shehu rides, a body guard holds over him the big umbrella called laima. Walking close to the Shehu on both sides are six body guards. One of them holds the Shehu’s spear and the others watch the horse in case of some restive behaviour. The Shehu also holds a bunch of hair of giraffe, called kambutu kinzirbe, specially decorated with fine leather. He uses this to wave the spectators as he rides along. He uses the spear to salute higher dignitaries such as the governor and the president.
7. The Shehu is followed by the seventh group comprising members of his personal band actively performing. These are two algaita or oboe players, four drummers, four kettle drummers, two trumpet or gashi players and one kongil player. The oboe players alternate if the performance lasts long.
8. The last group in the Shehu’s contingent is made up of nine ‘kalia maibe’ or slaves of the king, followed by nine other persons bearing the title of ‘mala’ and as many as one hundred courtiers comprising holders of titles such as zanna and lawan or village heads.
The Waziri’s Contingent
The Waziri of Borno is Yerima Mustafa Ibn Muktar. His contingent comes as follows:
1. First to appear are twelve white horses ridden by young men brandishing swords.
2. The second group comprises six boys and six girls called bajebajema. This group, as in the Shehu’s contingent, add colour to the event by dancing majestically.
3. In the third group comes the Waziri himself riding on a horse with all its parts decorated with silver and other rich materials. He is closely followed four body guards, one carrying his sword, another his gun and the rest with close attention paid to his horse.
4. The fourth group consists of four drummers, one oboe player and a burujima or bugle player, all actively performing.
5. In the last group of the Waziri’s contingent are two title holders on horse back, led by his Deputy or Wakil. The title holders are Kazalla furbe (head of the stable) and Grema (in charge of household affairs). Also in the group are twenty or more kowunawa or courtiers
The Contingent of District Heads
Depending on the pleasure of His Royal Highness, a select number of district heads also participate in durbars. Their contingent varies, depending on the horse materials each can afford. For instance, some district heads open with twelve white horses ridden by twelve young men displaying their skills in horsemanship. However, the general pattern of performance of the district heads is as follows:
1. Bajebajema, comprising boys and girls who add colour to the event by dancing majestically.
2. The bajebajema are followed by the district head on a horse, closely followed by four of his servants.
3. The third group is made up of his musical band comprising three drummers, one aboe player, a kongil player. Sometimes the group also consists of a bugle player.
The Contingent of the Kaigama
The Kaigama, who is also one of the districts heads, comes last as follows:
1. Bajebajema, comprising twelve boys and twelve girls who add colour to the event by dancing majestically.
2. The second group comprise a group of young men called ''yawulet.'' They are called ‘’yawulet’’ and are walking, thus not horse backs. They wear multicolored uniform, in adding to bormusu or bonouses covering their backs. They also carry guns on their shoulders. All the Kaigama’s group appear in red.
3. In the third group comes the Kaigama himself on a richly decorated horse. The back of his horse is covered with cloth called lupdu. The Kaigama’s horse also wears 'trousers' and silver bangles on the forelegs.
4. In the fourth group, he is followed by his musical band comprising three drummers, one aboe player, a kongil player, as in the other district heads.

Note: Garba Gana Machina is the Information Officer of the Shehu's Palace, while Modu Mustafa is one of the Shehu's Body Guards.
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