The Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival is one of the most widely attended Festivals in Nigeria and it is the oldest festival of Gungu of Kebbi Kingdom, the festival started in early 16th Century. The festival began as an informal family and communal affair and since that time the festival has undergone several changes and modifications to international standard. Today, Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival has contributed highly to the infrastructural and socio-economic growth of Argungu town and its environments. It has also brought fame and acclaim, both national and International, for the Argungu Emirate, Sokoto and Kebbi States and for Nigeria as a whole.
Argungu International Fishing Festival is now assuming the status of one of the global preferred tourist destinations with more than 21 countries that witnessed the 2009 edition of the festival. According to the figures released by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, a total of 262,386 visitors witnessed the famed fishing festival in 2009 out of which about 400 are foreigners.
The figures shows that visitors from African countries like Chad, Mali and Niger witnessed the festival, other countries include USA, Germany and Britain top the list of foreign tourists at the festival which was held in Argungu, Kebbi State, North West of Nigeria from March 11th to 15th, 2009. True to their reputation as the most traveled tourists in the world, a total of 40 Germans attended the show followed by the Americans and the British.
The event at Argungu fishing and culture festival include the following:
Watersports: Here is where the major event takes place, because the festival revolves around water and as such there is a lot of competitions which are organised in the water besides the Argungu fishing festival (The Grand Fishing contest). Other water sports include, wild duck catching contest, one and two man canoeing contest, pot balancing contest and lot more. Other competition and event include: Farmer of the year, Traditional wrestling, Traditional Boxing, Goat skinning competition, Camel and Donkey races, Catapulting competition, Motor rally, Agricultural show, Cultural dances and Archery competition.
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