Yauri Emirate in Kebbi, says it will hold the famous Rigata Cultural Festival from Feb. 13 to 15, in the ancient city of Yauri town, in Yauri Local Government Area of the state.
The Vice Chairman of the Festival Committee, Abubakar Sa’idu-Yakubu, made this known shortly after a meeting with members of the festival Publicity Committee in Birnin Kebbi, on Friday.
‘Rigata’ as explained by Sa’idu-Yakubu is a word in the local dialect of Gungawa people depicting marine warfare. According to him, the purpose of the meeting is to fine-tune the preparation of the forthcoming festival scheduled for Feb. 13 to 15.
“The publicity committee has identified and addressed grey areas that hindered the hosting of the event last year. They noted that the glamour, edition and standards will meet global target this year.
“The committee has itemised the problems of last year, and they assured that they are working to erase such problems completely to ensure tourists friendly festival,” he said.
Sa’idu-Yakubu noted that the publicity committee solicited the assistance and collaboration of the media, in view of the fact that press were critical stakeholders in the propagation of the festival which had now become an international event.
“The Festival involves riverine maneuvers, including water sports and entertainment which began 200 years ago. As a display of naval strength of Gungu people, where Gungu warriors attacked the most dangerous hippopotamus on the River Niger.
“Warriors used to board canoes of different sizes with various weapons to attack the wild marine mammal,” he said.
Sa’idu-Yakubu added that the water maneuvers also served as a training exercise for upcoming Gungu warriors.
“The advent of Europeans led the colonial government to ban hippopotamus hunting to preserve the specie. Afterwards, Rigata became prestigious display of wealth, power and influence during wedding ceremonies of highly placed households.
“The trend prevailed until the visit of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto, to Yelwan-Yauri during which Rigata alongside agricultural show were organised to honour the premier,” he recalled.