Check out TOP 10 Famous Festivals in Nigeria

2. ARGUNGU FISHING FESTIVAL

The popular Argungu Fishing Festival is one of the most famous and exciting traditional festivals in Nigeria. The four-day annual festival dates back to 1934 and has continued with more alluring dynamics every year. The festival is an all-men affair; women can only be there as spectators.

But what is the festival all about? It is a competition among the fishermen of the area to determine who catches the biggest fish and become the winner of the grand prize of a new bus and N1million. The festival takes place at the Matan Fada River in Argungu, Kebbi State.

The sound of a gunshot signals the commencement of the competition, with the anxious and excited competitors jumping into the river to begin the search for the ‘big’ catch. This lasts for an hour, at the end of which each competitor presents his catch for weighing, to determine which fish is the biggest. The Argungu Fishing Festival attracts spectators from near and far.

1. OSUN/OSOGBO FESTIVAL

Among the cultural festivals highly regarded in Nigeria and the South West region in particular is the Osun/Osogbo Festival, which usually takes place in July and August of each year. The festival takes place in the Sacred Forest of Osun and lasts for a week. It is used as an occasion to reverence and honour the river goddess, Oshun of Osun State.

The people of Osun believe firmly in this goddess and therefore, thousands converge to attend the event annually. Some people come in from other parts of Africa and beyond, as it attracts Osun people in the Diaspora. The devotees believe in the potency of the goddess to hear their requests and provide solutions to their problems

 

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