Nigeria's Argungu fishing contest returns after years of pause

"Thousands of fishermen converged on the milky waters of the Matan Fadan river, a UNESCO heritage site, winding through verdant landscape in northwestern Nigeria's Argungu. President Bola Tinubu joined thousands of spectators on Saturday, cheering competitors vying to catch the largest fish, despite security concerns deterring some attendance. Participants employed only traditional methods, including hand-woven nets and calabash gourds, with some demonstrating their prowess using bare hands."

"The Kebbi State waterway teemed with woven nets and canoes as fishermen waded through. This year's champion landed a 59kg (130-pound) croaker fish, winning a cash prize. Other participants sell their catch, stimulating the local economy. The river remains closed throughout the year, overseen by a titled authority known as Sarkin Ruwa, the water chief. The fishing contest marked the pinnacle of the annual international fishing festival, which showcased cultural displays, including traditional wrestling and musical performances."

"The festival originated in 1934, marking peace between the extensive Sokoto Caliphate a vast 19th-century Islamic empire spanning from Nigeria into parts of modern-day Burkina Faso and the previously resistant Argungu emirate. Considered a symbol of unity, the festival ran continuously for decades until 2010, when infrastructure problems and growing northern Nigerian insecurity forced its suspension. It briefly resumed in 2020 before pausing again until this year."

Thousands of fishermen gathered at the milky Matan Fadan river in Argungu, using only traditional methods such as hand-woven nets and calabash gourds. President Bola Tinubu and large crowds attended, though some attendance was deterred by security concerns. The Kebbi State waterway teemed with woven nets and canoes as competitors vied to land large catches; this year's champion caught a 59kg (130-pound) croaker and won a cash prize. Participants sold catches, boosting the local economy. The river remains closed year-round under the authority of the Sarkin Ruwa. The festival, dating to 1934, symbolizes unity and features cultural displays including wrestling and music.

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