Abdullahi Yelwa, a journalist and broadcaster, has said that lack of continuity and funding are some of Nigeria‘s major impediments to the growth and sustainability of most major cultural festivities.
Speaking on the sustenance of the Rigata Festival and other major festivals like the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu, the Uhola Festival in Zuru and the Cultural Festival in Geandu, which have helped to put Kebbi State on the global tourism map, Yelwa, who holds the traditional title of Ajiyan Yauri in Kebbi State, explained that many festivals have perished because they are not held or funded regularly, especially at their initial stages.
He said, „For a festival to attain national and international status, the tourism community must be sure of its regularity. It must also be adequately funded until it can fund itself. The commitment of the Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, and Gamjin Yauri has been critical in turning the festival‘s fortunes. Governor Idris‘s policy of promoting the development of culture and tourism in the state has rekindled interest in the growth of cultural activities statewide. For over 200 years, the people of Yauri Kingdom in Southern Kebbi State have celebrated the Rigata Festival. Because the festivities are celebrated both on land and on the Niger River, the Rigata presents a kaleidoscope of cultural dances, water sports, marine manoeuvres and display of the abundant agricultural potentials of the Kingdom.“
According to him, the festival had its origin in the complex symbiosis between humans and animals with which they cohabit the Niger River ecosystem. Speaking more about the Festival, he disclosed that in the delicate and complex relationship, dangerous animals, like hippopotamus and crocodiles, often trespassed their boundaries and attacked humans, leading to death and injuries to humans.
“To deal with threats posed by these recalcitrant animals to humans, annually, Gungu warriors, mounted on canoes of various sizes and carrying state-of-the-art weaponry of the time, hunted hippos and other dangerous animals. These naval combats with animals also served as a form of training exercises for Gungu youth in the event of actual battles against invading enemies.
With the arrival of the Europeans in the 19th Century, the hunting of hippos was banned. Rigata, however, continued as a form of display of wealth, power and influence during wedding ceremonies of the rich and famous in the Kingdom. The visit of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Premier of the Northern Region, to Yauri rekindled the Rigata. In addition to water sports, an agriculture show was organised to honour his visit. It was, however, due to the personal efforts of His Royal Highness, Dr Mohammad Zayyanu Abdullahi, CON, the 42nd Emir of Yauri and the commitment of the Kebbi State Government that the Rigata Festival was revived and reinvigorated. Its originality, contents, variety and suspense are rarely found in Nigerian festivities. Yauri Rigata Festival is celebrated annually, usually in February.”
