The Legend and the Peace: Argungu Fishing Festival on the Matan Fada River

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A traditional gathering that accommodates thousands of anglers bare-handed or with traditional gourds and nets, leaping into the shallow, flowing waters of a river at dawn, Traditional singers and drummers display their art and talent, historic canoes race across the water, and wild ducks burst into flight; the air smells of freshly caught fish, stirred mud, and human excitement. This is the Argungu Fishing Festival: a four-day cultural eruption in Kebbi State, Nigeria, at the Matan Fada River, also known as Mata Fadan, a festival that showcases peace, identity, ceremony, tradition, and history. 

What is the Argungu fishing festival, and how has this fishing contest become a symbol of reconciliation? What traditions, rituals, and ecologies undergird this annual event? 

In this article, I will provide a historical explanation of culture and discuss the modern challenges of the Argungu Festival. 

Historical Background of the Festival 

To understand the Argungu Festival, one must first understand its roots: Argungu is a town located in Kebbi State, in northwestern Nigeria. This municipality is a river town, part of the Emirate of Argungu, in the broader Hausa-Kebbi cultural world. The people, known as Kebbawa (or Kebbi people), are primarily Muslim, and life in Argungu is shaped by fishing, agriculture, riverine ecology, and long histories of political conflict and reconciliation. 

The River Matan Fada, also called Mata Fadan, flows near Argungu and is central to both the ecology and culture of the region. It is around 50 meters wide and about 50 feet deep in some places during festival times. Agriculture, fishing, riverbank communities, and livestock all shape livelihoods; the river gives both food and identity. 

Politically, Kebbi has long been a critical Hausa state in Northern Nigeria. The Argungu Emirate is heir to the old Kingdom of Kebbi, which has had rivalries and interactions with neighbouring polities, especially the Sokoto Caliphate. These tensions and reconciliations are integral to the local moral geography, as conflict, migration, conquest, and peace have all shaped the culture. 

 

From Peace Treaty to Annual Festival: Origins and Rituals

Origins & Meaning of the Festival

The Argungu Fishing Festival formally began in 1934. It was established to mark an end to centuries of hostility between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kebbi Kingdom and, in particular, to symbolise peace and mutual respect. The initiation of the festival was linked to the historic visit of the Sultan of Sokoto, who visited Argungu around 1925 as a gesture of reconciliation. 

From its beginning, the festival was never only about catching fish. Rituals, ceremonies, religious offerings, musical performances, competitions in dance, swimming, canoe races, wild duck catching, displays of local crafts, debates of strength (wrestling, boxing), and communal identity have always played a significant role. 

Ritual and Custodianship display

The Sarkin Ruwa (“King of the Water”), the custodian of the Matan Fada River, plays a key ritual role. The Sarkin Ruwa is responsible for ensuring the water’s health, fish stock, and the river’s cleanliness. The day before the fishing competition begins, offerings are made as a sacrifice of a goat, hens, fruits, and vegetables to ask for protection and prosperity. 

There are also stories and legends about supernatural or mystical agreements: for example, that fish “come” from rivers connected to Matan Fada only when invited by the custodians and that crocodiles are asked to “stay away” during the event. These appear to be more in the realm of folklore or symbolic ritual than literal fact; however, they play an essential role in framing how the community understands its control (or lack of it) over nature. 

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The Reign of the Festival: A Four-Day Activity 

The festival runs over four days, usually from late February to early March. Here are the main features of each day and the events that define them:

Day Activities & Significance

Earlier days (1-3) agricultural shows and exhibitions; crafts and markets; cultural displays; swimming, canoe races, diving, pottery and gourd balancing water competitions; traditional music and dance; wrestling, boxing and other athletic contests. These build community, display heritage, show craftspeople, and set the tone. 

Final day (Day 4) Grand Fishing Competition (Kabanci): thousands of men and boys line the riverbank and enter the river (sometimes with traditional nets or gourds, sometimes even bare-handed). At the signal (often a shot fired), the fishing contest starts, and for an hour, they try to catch the largest fish. Modern fishing equipment is banned; traditional methods only. The winner receives prize(s) of value: cash, sometimes vehicles or seats to a pilgrimage, etc. 

This competition is spectacle and ritual: it tests physical skill, endurance, cooperation, local knowledge of the river, and respect for tradition. The crowd, music, and dance amplify the ceremonial dimension. 

 

More Than Sport: Heritage, Identity, Peace & Ecological Display

Cultural and Social Identity

The Argungu Festival is a strong expression of Kebbawa identity, Hausa-Kebbi culture, and Northern Nigerian riverine traditions. It is a reminder of historical reconciliation (Kebbi vs. Sokoto) and cooperation. UNESCO’s nomination file explicitly states that the festival is a contributor to identity and a means of maintaining peace between the Argungu and neighbouring Sokoto communities. Social cohesion is built via shared participation in rituals, competitions, apprenticeships, oral instruction, and family transmission of fishing, water knowledge, and cultural craftsmanship. 

Intangible Cultural Heritage & UNESCO Recognition

In 2016, the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. This recognises that the festival has outstanding universal value and must be safeguarded. The decision emphasised not just the spectacle but the knowledge systems: how people manage the river, the fish stocks, and the rituals; how younger people learn via apprenticeship and oral tradition; and how tradition and ecological respect intertwine. 

Peace & Conflict Resolution

One theme that recurs is that the festival helps maintain peace: its origin is a peacemaking act; its practice continues to bring former rivals together; neighbouring groups join; and rituals invoking protection, respect, and cooperation are central. This helps reduce hostilities and fosters dialogue through shared ritual, shared culture, and mutual benefit (primarily economic). UNESCO describes it as contributing to peaceful relations between Argungu and its neighbouring communities in Sokoto. 

Ecological & Economic benefits of the festival

Maintaining fish stocks, river water quality, and river health is essential because fishing is the core of the festival. The custodians’ rituals are more than symbolic: they foster awareness of the environment. The festival also contributes to the local economy: tourism inflows, vendors, artisans, cultural performers, transport, hospitality, plus the fishing itself, which supports livelihoods. 

 

Tracing Argungu’s Legacy in Modern Nigeria

Periods of Interruption & Renewal

The festival has not always occurred uninterrupted. For example, in 2009, it was suspended because of insecurity in northwestern Nigeria. It did not take place for several years. In 2020, after a ten-year hiatus, the Argungu Festival returned, drawing considerable attention. 

Recently, other pressures (environmental, political, and financial) have threatened its sustainability. Water levels in the river vary more; fish stocks seem under pressure; there is a risk of irrigation or dam projects impacting the river; there is modern environmental degradation; and there are changing social dynamics (migration, youth aspirations, etc.). But many local voices argue that the festival is more important now than ever as a symbol of resilience. 

Contemporary Recognition & Tourism

After its UNESCO inscription, the festival gained increased visibility globally. It has become one of Nigeria’s major cultural festivals, not just for locals but also for international visitors. The Kanta Museum in Argungu also serves as a cultural anchor, preserving the history and artefacts of the Kebbi Kingdom. Prizes in modern editions are significant: cash, sometimes vehicles, pilgrim seats (Hajj), etc. 

Places to Visit & Experience

For anyone seeking to walk in the footsteps of the festival, here are the significant areas to witness

• Argungu town (“Emirate of Argungu”): interact with the river culture, local markets, and craftspeople.
• Kanta Museum: in Argungu; built from the old palace of the Emir; showcasing the history, artefacts, weapons, and regalia of Kebbi. 
• Sites along the Matan Fada River during festival times include the fishing grounds, canoe races, and ritual offerings.
• Engage with local performers: dancers, drummers, participants, and craftspeople. These give one insight into how tradition is lived.

The Argungu Fishing Festival is far more than a cultural performance; it is a living, breathing institution that knits together identity, history, ecology, and peace. It is a testament to how human communities can use ritual, tradition, and shared challenge to heal old wounds, to celebrate collective life, and to make manifest a relationship with nature that honours both spiritual and practical realities.

Even as the river changes and challenges arise from climate change, environmental issues, safety concerns, and development needs, the central values of Argungu continue to provide strength. The knowledge of the river, the respect for custodianship, the traditions of the game, fishing, dance, music, and the shared history of reconciliation – all these make the real story of Argungu more compelling than simply “a fishing competition”. It is a story of continuity, adaptability, and hope.

Have you ever witnessed the Argungu Festival or heard stories from someone who has? Share your reflections. If you plan to travel, explore Kebbi State, stay in Argungu during festival season, visit the Kanta Museum, get in touch with local historians, or simply find out what fish still swim in the Matan Fada.