Giwan Ruwa

A pile of fish caught at the Argungu fishing festival. Argungu fishing festival (Fashin Ruwa) is a celebration of life. A tool of conserving natural resources, maintaining and promoting traditional life. Bare-hand fishing competition among thousands of fishermen, equipped with a hand net and large gourd, is the main event of the cultural extravaganza at the Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria. It is also part of an ancient fertility ritual which, from the point of view of the Kebbawa people, is the most important aspect of the occasion. The festival takes place usually in February after all agricultural work is finished. It marks the end of the growing season, and it opens the fishing season with a bang.