Argungu Fishing Festival: Big Fish, Big Money and a Party

As peace treaties go, not many come close to the awesomeness of having a fishing festival to serve as a marker for it every year. Deep in the hinterlands of Kebbi State, across the Argungu river on the border with Sokoto State, the Argungu Fishing Festival holds sway every year, kind of like the World Cup for fishing aficionados.

First, a little bit of history...

Origin of the Argungu Fishing Festival

As far back as the early 1800s AD, There was a slew of wars between the Hausa people of Kebbi and the Fulanis from Sokoto State which culminated in a century-long feud that involved land-grabbing, coordinated attacks and other untoward guerrilla attacks that marked tribal warfare of the time. Then, in 1934, a peace treaty was reached and the fishing festival was born, reports say.

Because fishing is infinitely cooler than feuding, really. You ever tried fishing? Massive adrenaline rush right there.

RELATED: Book hotels in Argungu or any where else in Kebbi State now

A Fishing Festival for Champions.

The Argungu Festival is more than just a couple of guys tossing nets or fishing lines in a lake or river with the hope of scoring some fish. This is the big leagues. Up to 30,000 fishermen have been known to participate in the hour-long duel to catch the biggest fish of the day. The winner usually carts home about $7,500 in prize money, alongside other cool perks.

The fishermen are only allowed to use traditional fishing tools like gourds and primitive nets. Some prefer to use their bare hands to display their prowess. Because, what good is any competition without some sass and showing off?

The fishing contest serves as the final phase in a festival replete with other entertaining features like agricultural and craft exhibitions, wresting and boxing displays which span a 3-day period.

How To Attend The Argungu Festival

The festival usually holds around mid-February and it marks the start of the fishing season. Tourists from across the country and beyond troop into Argungu to witness the epic festival. Lots of fishermen also converge there during the festival to participate and have a shot at winning and walking away with the grand prize.

Since the festival occurs along the border region between Kebbi and Sokoto States, you could either book from the range of Argungu hotels or choose from the range of nearby hotels in Sokoto State to stay at for the duration of the festival.