More Than a Catch: The Sacred Rituals of the Argungu Fishing Festival

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The Argungu fishing festival is the most attractive, attracting thousands of fishermen gathered beside the shimmering Matan Fada River. The air is thick with drums, prayers, and anticipation. Men line up, nets and gourds in hand. Women pour libations. A gunshot splits the air. Then chaos: bodies and nets splash into the water as the race for the largest fish begins. This is a festival that tells a story, showcasing dramatic, beautiful, and alive traditions.

But behind the splash and competition are layers of ritual, belief, culture and history. For many outside Kebbi State, Argungu is “just” about catching fish. Yet for the Kabawa people, it is sacred: a ritual of peace, a contract with nature, and an annual renewal that reviews history and cultural preservation. Historians, oral traditions, and cultural scholars decipher its significance; however, similar to many oral traditions, some elements disappear, others become myths, and truths become entangled with folklore.

So, who are the real custodians of this festival? What are the sacred acts, symbols, and stories wrapped into the fishing contest? This article will cover the festival’s history, Argungu’s rituals, the beliefs that sustain them, and how they shape culture, identity, and the land.

 

Argungu: The History, Context, and Meaning

Hausa-Kebbi, Sokoto, and the Making of the Festival

Argungu is located in Kebbi State, Northwest Nigeria. The Kabawa people—farmers and fishermen—inhabited the riverine land, where agriculture and fishing were vital. The region lies in the zone where rivers like the Matan Fada nourish both crops and communities. 

Historical rivalry between the Kebbi Kingdom and the Sokoto Caliphate shaped much of the festival’s origin story. For over a century, these polities had intermittent conflict; the festival as we know it was formalised in 1934, when Emir Muhammadu Sama of Argungu organised a fishing festival in honour of Sultan Hassan Dan Mu’azu of Sokoto, as a gesture of peace. 

 

The Agricultural Cycle and Fishing Seasons

Argungu isn’t just a fishing contest; it is tied to seasons. The event is typically held between February and March, when the farming season comes to a close and the fishing season begins. It is timed when water levels are favourable, fish stocks have recovered, and communities are ready for harvesting and festivities. 

These seasonal patterns affect when rituals must occur: water purification, river gods invoked, and no fishing allowed outside the festival period. Fish cannot be caught freely all the time; the river is “closed” until the festival. 

 

The Sacred Rituals That Begin It All

Gyaran Ruwa: Purification of the Waters

One of the central rituals is called Gyaran Ruwa (purification of water), literally “repairing/purifying the water”. Before the fishing competition begins, this ritual cleanses and blesses the river. Priests, Bori practitioners, and the Sarkin Ruwa (the custodian of the river) proceed in canoes along the river, pouring libations, chanting incantations, and seeking protection from the river spirits, often the queen spirit of the river (known as Doguwa in some narratives). 

This cleansing ceremony is more than symbolic; it is believed that until the purification is complete, fishing yields are poor, the river is unsafe, or evil spirits may interfere. The ritual underscores the idea that nature must be respected, and human action must seek permission. 

 

Fashin Ruwa: Opening the Waters

Following the purification comes Fashin Ruwa, which can be understood as “opening of the waters”. This is the point at which the river is formally “declared” ready for fishing. The Sarkin Ruwa and other ritual actors provide permission. Only after Fashin Ruwa do fishermen converge for the competition. Before this, fishing was (traditionally) forbidden. This pause protects fish populations, allows replenishment, and recognises that the river also belongs to spirits and ancestors. 

 

Land Rituals: Gyaran Gari, Shan Kabewa, and Fura

Beyond the river, rituals tied to the land, community, and harvest punctuate the festival.

• Gyaran Gari (“purification of the town”): cleansing the land/town, removing evil influences, and preparing the community both spiritually and physically. 
• Shan Kabewa (“drinking/eating of pumpkin porridge” or “taste of pumpkin”; in some sources, this is about testing or sharing a communal meal) and Fura (a dairy/grain-based drink, common in northern Nigeria), which tie harvest, food security, and communal celebration together. These rituals reinforce gratitude for land produce, community bonds, and moral and social order. These land rituals historically complemented the river rituals, binding the life of the river to that of the town. Over time, some of these have faded or changed under the influence of Islamization and modernisation, though in many accounts, they still appear in some form. 

 

The Role of Key Figures & Beliefs

Sarkin Ruwa: Custodian of the River

The Sarkin Ruwa (also called Makwashe in some sources) holds an almost mythic status. He is the official guardian of the Matan Fada River. No fishing can commence unless he provides consent and permission. He ensures that the river is spiritually and physically prepared: crocodiles are said to be ordered out of sight, fish are “invited” from upstream rivers, and rules are laid down on what fishing tools may or may not be used, on behaviour around the river, etc. 

The role is hereditary, demanding integrity, knowledge of tradition, and respect for the people. The Sarkin Ruwa serves as a mediator between the human community and the ancestral spirits of nature. 

 

River Spirits, Crocodiles, and Fish

Many beliefs animate the rituals:

• The river spirit, or queen spirit (Doguwa), must be appeased. The purification ritual seeks her favour. 
• Crocodiles are part of the sacred ecology. During the festival, the Sarkin Ruwa is believed to “order” them to hide or stay calm so that no harm comes to fishermen. At other times, they are dangerous. 
• Fish themselves are not mere resources but participants in the ritual. Some narratives suggest that fish remain “invisible” until they are called, or “invited.” If we don’t perform the rituals properly, the catch will be poor. 

These beliefs are profoundly ecological as well as spiritual: they guard against overfishing, promote seasonal rest, and foster respect for the river environment.

 

The Festival Experience: Ritual, Culture and Spectacle

 

Cultural Activities & Tradition

This festival is not only about fishing. Over its four days, the festival ripples with cultural performances: canoe races, swimming contests, wild duck hunting, traditional wrestling and boxing, archery, agricultural exhibitions, arts and crafts, music, and dance. 

These side rituals serve multiple purposes: they deepen community bonds, showcase local identity, reinforce skills, entertain, and attract visitors (cultural tourism). They make the festival holistic, not just about catching fish, but about celebrating life, land, and people.

 

The Grand Fishing Contest: Rules, Meaning, and Moment

On the culminating day, just after the rituals (Gyaran Ruwa, Fashin Ruwa), the grand fishing contest begins. Thousands of fishermen stand waiting; the signal is given (often a gunshot). At that moment, everyone moves toward the Matan Fada River, carrying traditional tools, nets, gourds, and their hands. Modern equipment is typically banned to preserve tradition. 

The goal: catch the largest fish, often the Nile perch or a similar species. The prize is honour and prize money. This competition is part spectacle, part spiritual action: the river yields, but only if rituals are respected. 

 

Music, Dance, Drums, Songs

Both women and men participate in music and dance. Drumming is central. Women typically do not fish (in many editions) but are vital as singers, drummers, dancers, flying colours, and rallying community morale. The rhythms of Kebbawa drums, the songs of praise and prayer, and chants all set the rhythm to the festival. 

Music is also ritual: certain songs are only performed at specific times; drumbeats that call for silence, worship, or mark transition (e.g. before a catch contest).

 

Continuity, Change, and Cultural Significance

UNESCO, Suspension, Revival

In 2016, the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival was inscribed by UNESCO as part of Nigeria’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This helped international recognition and efforts to safeguard its rituals and traditions. 

The festival has faced interruptions, notably from 2009 to about 2020, due to insecurity in northwestern Nigeria. During suspensions, fish were often scarce; the ban on fishing outside festival time was more strictly observed, which may have ecological side benefits. When revived, the festival came back with renewed fanfare and sometimes with modifications (more side events, more visibility, and sometimes more inclusivity). 

 

The Festival as Symbol: Peace, Identity, Sustainability

Argungu is not just a local event; it is a symbol of reconciliation (between Kebbi and Sokoto, historically), of identity for the Kabawa, and of northern Nigerian cultural heritage. It reassures that traditions can survive, adapt, and still hold spiritual meaning. It also plays a role in environmental sustainability: closed seasons help fish stocks, ritual guardianship protects ecosystems, and the use of traditional tools limits overexploitation.

 

The Best Festivals For Travellers and Culture Enthusiasts

When to Go & What to Expect

Plan for February–March, when water levels are favourable and the festival takes place. Arrive early to witness the ritual events (Gyaran Ruwa, Fashin Ruwa), which often take place before the big fishing contest. Be aware of schedule changes (security, government logistics). 

Observe with Respect

• Understand that certain parts are sacred, as they are rituals invoked for spiritual protection. Observing quietly, dressing modestly, and seeking permission for photographs are wise practices.
• Respect roles: the Sarkin Ruwa and other ritual actors are authority figures.
• Respect the river: do not fish outside permitted times, don’t pollute, and honour local environmental rules.

 

Cultural Immersion

• Do not only watch the fishing; engage in dance, music, arts and crafts, and taste traditional food.
• Talk to locals: elders often hold oral histories about what certain songs mean, why rituals are structured the way they are.
• Visit other landmarks in Kebbi: the walls and ruins of ancient Surame, museums, riverine ecology, and traditional market days.

Also Read:

• The Legend and the Peace: Argungu Fishing Festival on the Matan Fada River
• Will Argungu Fishing Festival Survive? Nigeria’s Iconic Tradition Faces Ecological Collapse
• How to Experience the Thrilling Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State, Nigeria

The Argungu Fishing Festival is much more than a contest for the biggest fish. It is a ritual tapestry interwoven with belief, identity, ecology, peace, and social cohesion. At its core are sacred rituals, Gyaran Ruwa, Fashin Ruwa, land purifications, and the role of the Sarkin Ruwa that assert the relationship between people and nature, between the past and present.

Have you ever attended the Argungu Fishing Festival or heard stories from someone who has? What rituals moved you the most, or what questions do you still have? Share your experiences with us; let’s explore the culture together.

 

FAQs

When is the Argungu Fishing Festival held, and where is it located?

It is an annual four-day cultural festival held in Argungu, Kebbi State, generally between February and March.

What are the sacred rituals involved before fishing begins?

Key rituals include Gyaran Ruwa (purification of the river), Fashin Ruwa (opening of the waters), and land rituals like Gyaran Gari (purification of the town), Shan Kabewa and Fura (communal food/drink rites)

Who is the Sarkin Ruwa, and what does he do?

The Sarkin Ruwa (or Makwashe) is the custodial guardian of the Matan Fada River. His role includes performing rituals, giving permission for fishing, ensuring spiritual safety, managing traditional rules around the festival, and being a mediator between human actors and river spirits.

What role do ecological concerns play in Argungu?

Quite significant. The festival includes closed fishing periods for much of the year, use of traditional, less damaging tools, rituals that reinforce conservation, and enforcement (traditionally) that only during festival time may fishing occur in that river. These help maintain fish stocks and river health.