Coordinates: 12 40 N 4 31 E
Number of competitors: 30,000
Oftentimes fishing is a solitary activity sought out by people in search of some peace, quiet, or a bit of reflection. Not so in the Nigerian city of Argungu. Every March a loud, boisterous, four day celebration here in Kebbi State culminates in a fishing competition of epic proportions. Anxious to win a prize that includes cash, a new car, and a trip to Saudi Arabia, (the majority of the population is Muslim), men who spend much of the year farming corn, rice, and millet crowd into the Matan Fada, a tributary of the Niger River, with the hopes of netting the largest fish. The arrest of this year’s winner for smuggling a dead animal into the muddy waters speaks to the contest’s high stakes. Under Sharia Law women are forbidden from attending the popular event, but recently the government has tried to turn the Argungu Fishing Festival into a tourist attraction. 
Ben Keene is the editor of Oxford Atlas of the World. Check out some of his previous places of the week.
Argungu Fishing Festival (AFF) – About Kebbi state
Kebbi State, the home of Argungu International Fishing and Cultural festival came into being as a political entity on the 27th August 1991. It was carved out of the former Sokoto State with its headquarters at Birnin Kebbi, following the creation of more states by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) which brought the total of number of states in the Federation to thirty (30) and subsequently to thirty-six (36) as a result of the creation of more states in the federation in 1996 by the Administration of General Sani Abacha.
The Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival as known today, began about 72 years ago – in 1934 – as a gesture toward the unity of people of Sokoto and Argungu. The then Sultan of Sokoto, Mallam Hassan Dan Mu’azu, (may his soul rest in peace), made his historic visit to Argungu in 1934, thus becoming the first reigning Sultan of Sokoto to pay a friendly visit to Argungu. To commemorate the occasion, a grand fishing was organised in his honour by the then Emir of Argungu, Muhammadu Sama (May his soul rest in peace).
Seeing that the visitors from Sokoto enjoyed the festival very much, the people of Argungu continued to hold the festival each year afterwards in order to foster good relationship with neighbours, they started inviting them to participate in the festival which started as a small and humble traditional ceremony but has developed into a large international festival attracting visitors from within and outside Nigeria.
Tucked between the largely arid landscape of Niger republic to the West, and Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger States to the North, East and South respectively, Kebbi state spreads alluringly over a vast expanse of Sahel-an land of approximately 36,229 square kilometres, representing 3.92% of the total land area of Nigeria. In this wonderfully endowed land, lives a population of 2, 062,266 (Approximately two million, sixty-two thousand, two hundred and sixty-six) proud Hausa-Fulanis enamoured by a long winding history papered by memories of spectacular accomplishments.
Carved from Sokoto state on August 27, 1991, with Birnin Kebbi as a capital, the geographical location known as Kebbi today derived its name from the 14th century “Kebbi kingdom” which was a province of the erstwhile Sondheim Empire in present day Mali.
It was established by the renowned warrior and administrator, General Muhammad Kanta, who was the Army Commander under the great ruler, Muhammadu Askia. At present, the state is made up of four Emirates (Gwandu, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru) which are further divided into 21 local government areas: Birnin Kebbi, Ngaski, Yauri, Sakaba, Danko-Wasagu, Zuru, Koko-Besse, Dabai, Suru, Maiyama, Jega, Bunza, Arewa, Gwandu, Argungu, Aliero, Augie, Fakai, Shanga and Kalgo. Due to its geographical location, Kebbi State provides two of Nigeria’s gateways to the West African sub-region. This unique position enhances cross border socio-economic activities between the communities to the state and those adjacent countries.
Climate
The state enjoys a tropical type climate, which is generally characterised by two extreme temperatures: the hot and cold temperatures. The rainfall begins in May/June and ends in October with the heaviest fall occurring in July and August. Generally, the rainfall varies between the northern and southern parts of the state both in terms of intensity and duration with the latter region experiencing more sustained and heavier downpours. The extremely cold harmattan period, usually accompanied by dusty winds and fog of alarming intensity, prevails in November, December and January. Mean annual temperatures vary considerably but usually ranges between 100f and 70f, while mean annual rainfall is about 500mm.
Environment/Agriculture
Kebbi state has one of the most agriculturally viable environments in northern Nigeria. It is endowed with high soil fertility, vast farmlands and economically viable rivers sheltered by fine tropical climates. Owing to these factors, agriculture has remained the major source of revenue – corn, maize, cassava, potatoes, rice, beans, onions, and vegetables, while cash crops like wheat, soya beans, ginger, sugarcane, groundnuts and tobacco are produced in abundance. Similarly, fruits such as mangoes, cashew, guava and pawpaw are produced under horticultural schemes. Environmental factors, as well as the large concentration of cattle and other animals, have made the state a basic raw materials source for dairy products industries.
The state is blessed with economically viable rivers such as Niger and Rima for the development of fishery activities. In fact 70% of the total landmass of Kebbi state is covered by these two rivers, which tellingly enhance the scenic beauty of the state. The fine tropical climate and the low savannah vegetation, which provides good habitat for a variety of wild life, further complement this. Thus, fishing has always been one of the key occupations of the inhabitants of the state.
Culture
Hausa is the predominant language although a small minority of the inhabitants speak Zuru. Islam is equally the principal religion. The state government recognises that education is the basic ingredient for socio-economic and technological advancement.
Consequently, it is committed to ensuring that the people attain high standards in education. As a corollary, nomadic education is also encouraged to improve the level of understanding for the wandering nomads in every nook and cranny of the state. The state has a total of 303 primary schools and 29 post-primary, schools. In addition, it maintains six tertiary institutions namely, Waziri Umaru Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi; College of Agriculture, Zuru; School of Health Technology, Jega, College of Education, Argungu, College of Preliminary Studies, Yauri, school of Nursing and Midwifery, Birnin Kebbi. Together with a number of Islamic schools, these centres of learning offer quality education to teaming young people in and around the state.
The state has undergone tremendous industrial and commercial growth since its creation in 1993. The government has over the years emphasized the development of industries with bias towards import substitution and export-oriented labour intensive factories.
Infrastructures
The state’s major towns of Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Jega, Yauri and Zuru are well served with good roads; telecommunications, electricity, post office, pipe-borne water, health care services and transport services. Accommodation-wise, Argungu town is fairly well provided for. The beautifully fenced fishing village located at the entrance to the town from Sokoto, is a large combination of modern and native architecturally designed facilities, comprising of chalets, suites, safari huts and a motel. This giant edifice is in itself a unique tourist attraction. There is the Grand Fishing Hotel which is an ultra-modern sixty bedroom resort of international standard in addition to the privately owned hotels and guest houses.
Economic Activities
The main occupation of the inhabitants of the state revolves around farming, fishing and distributive trade. At the moment, it is a place where most local government spending is initiated. It is also a place where major economic activities are centred on property development, commerce, private and governmental organisations. The following are some of the banks that have established presence in the state: PHB Habib Bank Plc, Intercontinental International Bank Plc, and Oceanic Bank Plc among others.
Courtesy of Prince Kabir, Webmaster, http://www.ArgunguFishingFestival.com and http://www.KebbiState.com
please tell the state governmet that argungus people are not yet seen anything new for them new actually state government are not yet care abuot the l/govt. thanks for giving me this opportunity