Argungu Fishing Festival
Argungu Fishing Festival-Where Did It Come From
In 1934, the Sultan Hasan dan Mu azu Ahmedu visited modern Sokoto and the Argungu Fishing Festival was organized.
Sokoto is one of the hottest cities in the world. It is highly congested and polluted and is located in Northern Nigeria.
In his honor the great fishing festival was very quickly organized.
What happens is hundreds of men and boys jump into the waters to catch fish. The largest fish caught was then presented to the Sultan.
Nile Perch is what the fishermen were after. They are the biggest fish swimming those waters. Nile perch are quite often caught in the 130 pound mark.
Argungu Fishing Festival-Its Annual Now
Since that day way back in 1934 the Argungu Fishing Festival has become an annual affair held in February or March. This happens to be right around the end of harvest season for the local people.
The festival through the years has turned into a week long event.
People come from all over to not just enjoy fishing but also many other land and water events.
On land you would be witness to such events as arts, crafts, music and traditional dancing. You would also enjoy such things as archery and wrestling.
Whats a festival without races. Bicycle, donkey and camel races are the races of choice at the Argungu Fishing Festival.
As for events in the water you would be seeing such things as wild duck hunts, swimming and diving competitions and canoe races.
Argungu Fishing Festival-The Highlight
Of course we are talking about the Argungu Fishing Festival which is the highlight of the week.
For a period of time fishing is not allowed in a certain part of the river to assure great stocks of fish are available.
When the big day arrives canoeists drive the fish towards the shallows where the waiting fishermen are.
These days thousands of competitors battle for the biggest fish. When the time is right, using hand nets the competitors jump into the water to begin fishing.
All the build up to the big day and after 45 minutes the Argungu Fishing festival is done. The competitors come into shore and their catches are weighed.
As tradition is served the largest fish are still presented to local rulers.Some small prizes are awarded to the winners but the biggest prize of all is the party that carries on afterwards that carries on well into the morning hours.
Argungu Fishing Festival-Mood Points
The festival is held in February or March, all depending on harvest.
Argungu is located about 60 miles from Sokoto
A fishing escapade is what you will experience.
A very important point to check is that if the rains have been minimal and the waters are low then that year the Argungu Fishing Festival does not take place.
