Argungu Fishing Festival (Fashin Ruwa) is an annual four-day festival in Kebbi State, Nigeria. It is one of the biggest cultural celebrations in all of West Africa, held each year in Argungu, Nigeria. Every year, over 50,000 people flock to the banks of the Matan Fada River to witness one of the craziest fishing competitions you’ll ever see. Hundreds of local fishermen dive into the river and race to catch the largest fish they can, all with their bare hands. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind cultural experience and love adventure, the Argungu Fishing Festival needs to be on your bucket list.
Read on to learn more about the Argungu fishing festival, Africa’s biggest fishing celebration.
The Origin & History of the Argungu Fishing Festival
The Argungu Fishing Festival originated in 1934 as a symbol of the cessation of centuries of hostilities between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kebbi Kingdom. For more than a century, the Emir of Kebbi in Argungu and the Sultanate of Sokoto had been at odds. However, a small diplomatic act changed the course of history.
Mallam Hassan became the 16th Sultan of Sokoto in 1931, and in 1934, he decided to revisit the Emir of Argungu. To honor him, the Emir of Argungu hosted a spectacular reception, culminating in the staging of the now centuries-old fishing festival. The Emir died soon after and was replaced by his first son, Muhammadu Saani. Immediately following his coronation, the new Emir of Argungu determined to repay the Sultan’s visit, which his father could not accomplish.
During the visit, both monarchs discovered that the Sultan’s initial visit and the large fishing event when they made a public appearance had unanticipated benefits. It was critical in lowering tensions and eliminating cross-border raids between their neighboring villages.
This festival has contributed significantly to the overall growth of the state. It is commonly referred to as a Fishing-Frenzy Festival. The celebration marks the start of the fishing season in Argungu, a riverside town in Kebbi State. Every year, thousands flock to Argungu, a town in Northern Nigeria, to witness Africa’s biggest fishing celebration.
The 4-day event is held annually between February and March, culminating in a massive fishing competition on the Matan Fada River. On the final day, hundreds of local fishermen and international participants hop in their canoes and paddle out in hopes of catching the biggest fish. Prizes are awarded to whoever snares the largest catch. The festival also features drumming, dancing, canoe races, and an agricultural show.
Location
The festival takes place in Argungu, Kebbi state, Nigeria’s northwest geopolitical zone. The town is located on the Sokoto River and serves as the administrative center for the Argungu emirate. It is hosted at different locations in Argungu: the Kabanci for aquatic cultural events, the township stadium for agricultural exhibitions, and the grand fishing at the Matan Fada river, which is roughly 50 meters wide and 50 feet deep.
Cultural Activities at Argungu Festival
Before the fishing begins, a spectacular exhibition of aquatic traditional events takes place, including canoe racing, swimming on a gourd with a clay pot placed on the head, diving competitions, wild duck hunts, fishing with bare hands, and water relays. Non-aquatic cultural activities include wrestling and boxing championships, archery, motor rallies, arts and crafts and agricultural displays, and local music and dance troops.
What to Expect at the Argungu Fishing Festival
At the Argungu Fishing Festival, you’ll experience a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and, of course, fishing! Held annually in Argungu, Nigeria, it’s Africa’s biggest fishing competition and festival.
Expect crowds of over 30,000 people, with attendees from all over the continent converging to watch the main event. Hundreds of fishermen will line the Matan Fada River, working together in dugout canoes to catch the largest fish. Prizes are awarded for the biggest catch of the day we’re talking fish up to 100 pounds!
You’ll also find delicious local cuisine, traditional dancing, and musical performances. Stock up on handcrafted goods from local artisans. Take a camel ride or watch daredevil acrobats and stunt bikers.
The four-day festival culminates with an awards ceremony recognizing the champion fishermen. But the real winners are the attendees, who get to experience the vibrant culture and community spirit of the Hausa people in a unique celebration found nowhere else in the world.
Whether you go to witness the fishing competition, enjoy the lively atmosphere, appreciate the local artistry or just soak in the cultural experience, the Argungu Fishing Festival will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Traditions at the Festival
The Argungu Fishing Festival features many interesting traditions that have been passed down for generations.
Sarkin Ruwa, the river’s custodian, maintains the river’s safety before the fishing festival begins by offering sacrifices to the river oracle to gain its consent. To ensure the river is safe for fishing, he expels the crocodiles and invites all the fish in the rivers that connect to the Mata Fada River. No fish can be caught without the permission of the Sarkin Ruwa, who are the official custodians of the Mata Fada River. In the 2020 Argungu Festival, the winner landed the largest fish ever caught in the competition, weighing 78 kg. He was awarded N10 million, two new cars and two Hajj seats; the second position and third positions were also awarded.
Major Events and Activities at the Argungu Fishing Festival
The Argungu Fishing Festival features several exciting events and activities over the course of four days. Some of the major highlights include:
Canoe racing
Teams paddle canoes down the Matan Fada River, racing to be the first to cross the finish line. This fast-paced event shows off the canoeing skills of the local fishermen.
Fishing competition
Hundreds of fishermen work to catch the largest fish in the Matan Fada River. The winner takes home a grand prize, earning bragging rights for catching the biggest fish of the festival. Competitors use handmade nets and canoes to try and snare the biggest fish in the river, with Nile perch and catfish being popular catches. This main event is what the entire festival culminates around.
Traditional dances
Cultural dance troupes perform a variety of traditional dances from the region. Dancers wear colorful costumes and move to the beat of drums and other musical instruments. These dances are an important way for locals to showcase and celebrate their cultural heritage.
Arts and crafts
Vendors line the streets selling handmade goods like leather goods, woven baskets, wood carvings and traditional clothing. This is a great opportunity to support local artisans and purchase unique souvenirs.
Food
Delicious local cuisine like tuwo, a thick porridge usually made from millet or corn flour, and miyan kuka, a soup made from Baobab leaves, peanut stew, and grilled catfish, are available. Trying traditional Argungu dishes is an important part of experiencing the culture during the festival.
The Argungu Fishing Festival offers a wide range of cultural events, activities and entertainment options over the course of the 4-day celebration along the Matan Fada River. Attending the festival provides unique insights into the heritage, traditions and local way of life of the Argungu people in Kebbi State, Nigeria.
The Fishing Competition – Rules and Prize
On the final day of the celebration, thousands of men form a line along the river and, at the sound of a gunshot, all leap into the river for an hour to catch the largest fish. The winner will receive up to $7,500. Competitors are only permitted to use conventional fishing tools, and many prefer to catch fish totally by hand (a method known as “noodling” elsewhere) to demonstrate their expertise. Following that, singers fill the air with traditional Kebbawa rhythms. Another sect rattles enormous gourds filled with seeds to drive fish into shallow waters.
The festival serves several functions, including fishing, unity promotion, enjoyment, and entertainment.
Rules
The main event of the Argungu Fishing Festival is the fishing competition. This competition has some strict rules to follow:
To participate, fishermen must use traditional nets and canoes. No modern equipment is allowed. The winner is the fisherman who catches the largest fish. The fishing starts at the sound of a gunshot and ends after four hours.
The winner receives a brand new car, motorbike or boat and other prizes, and of course, fame and glory. The runner-ups also get monetary prizes and household items like TVs, fridges and more. The prizes serve as motivation for the fishermen to catch the biggest fish they possibly can.
After the competition ends, the festival continues with singing, dancing and other cultural displays. The Emir of Argungu hands out the prizes to the winners in an exciting award ceremony. The festival is truly a vibrant celebration of culture, community and, of course, fishing.
The Fishing Competition follows strict guidelines to honor the traditional fishing methods of the area. Modern equipment is prohibited to keep with the cultural significance of the festival. The generous prizes also draw large crowds and make the competition intense and thrilling. No wonder the Argungu Fishing Festival is considered the biggest fishing celebration in all of Africa!
Ten-year Hiatus
Due to instability in Nigeria’s northern states, the festival was discontinued in 2009 and did not resume for ten years. However, it resurfaced in 2020 with newer magnificence and hosting Nigeria’s Executive President.
Cultural Significance and Impact
The Argungu Fishing Festival is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of the people in Northern Nigeria. For centuries, fishermen in Argungu have relied on the annual flooding of the Matan Fada River to catch fish, which provided a vital source of protein after the lean rainy season. Today, the festival celebrates this cultural heritage and the river’s abundance.
- Economic impact: The 4-day festival generates revenue for the local economy through tourism, sales of regional crafts, and demand for local services. Visitors flock to Argungu, booking hotels, dining at restaurants, and shopping at markets.
- Social impact: The festival brings together people from diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria and neighboring countries like Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. It promotes cultural exchange, community bonding, and regional identity.
- Ecological significance: The festival highlights the importance of the Matan Fada River and sustainable fishing practices. Fishermen use traditional nets and canoes, catching only what they need. The festival organizers promote environmental conservation to preserve the river’s resources for future generations.
- Historical significance: The first Argungu Fishing Festival was held in 1934 to mark the end of the centuries-old hostility between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kebbi Kingdom. Today, it commemorates this pivotal moment in Nigerian history that brought peace between the two rival powers.
- Entertainment: The festival features many exciting events like canoe racing, wild duck hunting, traditional wrestling matches, and dance performances. The highlight is the grand fishing competition, where over 10,000 competitors scoop fish out of the Matan Fada River, all vying to catch the largest catch.
- Tourist Center: Every year, people from Africa, Europe, America, and other continents gather in the old village of Argungu to watch the fishing festival, which has become an international event. The festival was taken over by the Kebbi State Government due to its growing popularity and economic potential.
The Argungu Fishing Festival showcases the cultural heritage of Northern Nigeria and the diverse traditions that shape the region’s identity. It brings communities together to celebrate history, nature, and a way of life centered around the river’s seasonal rhythms. This annual festival has enduring significance, both culturally and economically, for the people of Argungu.
Relevance
In 2016, the festival was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Humanity’s Intangible Cultural Heritage as a heritage of “outstanding universal value” that should be protected for present and future generations. The celebration is vital for conserving the fish in the Matan Fada River, ensuring the community’s fishery’s economic viability. The festival’s religious activities are also considered a celebration of life.
Travel Tips for Attending the Argungu Fishing Festival
To fully experience the Argungu Fishing Festival, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Book accommodation and transport in advance: Argungu gets very crowded during the festival, so reserve rooms and vehicles ahead of time.
- Dress modestly and for hot weather: Temperatures in March average 95 F, so pack light, breathable clothing that covers knees and shoulders out of respect for local cultural norms. Remember to pack sunglasses and sunscreen as well.
- Bring mosquito repellant and malaria medication: As the festival takes place during the rainy season, mosquitoes are abundant. Protect yourself to avoid getting sick.
- Carry small bills: Vendors primarily deal in cash, so they have plenty of small denomination naira on hand for purchases. Also, ATMs may be limited.
- Try the local cuisine: Sample authentic Hausa fare like tuwo, a thick corn porridge, and kilishi, spiced meat jerky. Wash it down with zobo, a drink made from hibiscus leaves.
- Visit the emir’s palace: The palace is a center of festivities with music, dancing, and events each day. See the emir himself on horseback at the Durbar event.
- Watch the fishing competition: Head to the river early to get a good view of canoeists trying to catch the largest fish. The winner gets a new car!
- Shop at the craft market: Find handmade goods like leather goods, cloth, baskets, and jewelry. Bargain for the best deals.
- Take a tour: Guided tours provide context about the history, culture, and traditions of the Argungu people and festivals. Learn more about what you’re experiencing.
- Stay up late: Most main events don’t start until evening, so pace yourself for long, activity-filled nights. The festival wraps up around dawn!
Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering what to expect at the Argungu Fishing Festival? Here are some common questions and answers to help you prepare.
What kind of fish will I see at the Argungu Festival?
The festival celebrates the catching of giant Nile perch, Balloon Fish, etc, some weighing over 150 pounds! Fishermen will try to catch the largest fish for prizes.
How big is the Argungu festival?
Argungu Fishing Festival is the largest fishing festival in Africa, with over 30,000 people attending each year. People come from all over the continent to celebrate.
When is the best time to visit?
The festival takes place over four days between late February and March. The fishing competition, which is the main event, is on the fourth day.
What else is there to do at the Argungu Festival?
In addition to fishing, there are canoe races, cultural dances, camel races, and lots of delicious foods. You can also shop for handmade crafts like woven baskets, clothing, and jewelry.
Conclusion
And there you have it, a glimpse into one of the most unique cultural festivals in all of West Africa. The Argungu Fishing Festival is truly a sight to behold. The thunder of pounding drums, the sea of spectators cheering on their favorite fishermen, and the thrill of the catch-all combine into an unforgettable experience. If you ever get the chance to visit Kebbi, make sure to time your trip around the Argungu festival. You won’t regret witnessing this vibrant celebration of community and culture.