Kebbi State government, in collaboration with the Yauri Emirates Council, is set to hold the fourth edition of the Yauri Rigata and Cultural Festival, scheduled to commence on 13 to 15 February 2025 in the ancient city of Yelwan-Yauri.
The chairman of the main Organising Committee and the secretary to the state government (SSG), Yakubu Bala Tafida, disclosed this to journalists yesterday at a press conference held at the cabinet office in Birnin Kebbi.
Bala Tafida added that the festival involves riverine manoeuvers, including water sports and entertainment, which started about 200 years ago as a display of the naval strength of the Gungu people, where Gungu warriors annually attacked the most dangerous hippopotamus in the area on the River Niger. Warriors will board various sizes of canoes with different types of weapons and attack the wild animals.
The chairman also revealed that the reinvigoration of the Rigata event and its adoption by the state government as a cultural event occurred during the reign of His Royal Highness, Dr Muhammed Zayyanu Abdullahi, the 42nd emir of Yauri.
“This year’s festival, like its predecessors, is packaged to feature a number of spectacular and thrilling events aimed at showcasing the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the good people of Yauri emirate. “ Tafida said.
These events will include but are not limited to, a trade fair exhibition, an agricultural show, cultural performances, and the Rigata main event, which will be spread over three days.
He commended the Kebbi State governor, Comrade Nasir Idris for approving the festival.
