Nigerian Muslims in Kano state marked the first day of Ramadan with the resonant sound of pre-dawn drums, as mesaharati-style drummers roused communities for suhoor and mosques filled for collective prayers.
The vibrant tradition, known locally as kidan Gwaro, blends ancient ritual with modern devotion, linking millions of Nigerian Muslims to broader Sahelian and West African observances. Central to the practice is community participation, with drummers ensuring households awake in time to prepare for the day-long fast.
Throughout the early hours, local vendors sold food and supplies for suhoor, as families readied themselves for the fast from dawn until sunset – an act of devotion fostering reflection, discipline, and solidarity.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is considered one of the holiest months for Muslims. Observing the fast is one of the five pillars of Islam, and the month is widely recognised as a period of spiritual reflection, prayer, charity, and community.
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