2024 Yauri Regatta Festival To Hold February 8th,9th,10th –Kebbi Govt

The 2024 Yauri Rigata and Cultural Festival will hold between 8th and  10th  in the ancient city of Yelwan-Yauri, Kebbi state, the state government announced on Thursday. 

The Chairman of the Festival  Committee, who is also  the Secretary to the state Government, Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafidan Yauri, announced this during the news conference he presided over  in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday which was attended by journalists including Team@orientactualmags.com.

The event, he noted,  will feature a book launch on the history of Yauri from 1411 to date, trade fair exhibition, agricultural show, cultural performance and the grand finale, Rigata.

Recall that the reinvigoration of Rigata and its adoption by Kebbi state Government as paramount cultural event was facilitated by the present Emir of Yauri, Dr. Muhammad Zayyanu Abdullahi.  He is the 42nd Emir of Yauri.

Rigata means  marine warfare in the local dialect of the Gungawa people.

The Festival involves riverine maneuvers including water sports and entertainment which began 200 years ago as a display of naval strength of  the Gungu people during which  the Gungu warriors attacked the most dangerous hippopotamus in  River Niger.

Warriors used to board canoes of different sizes with various weapons to attack the wild marine mammal. 

The water maneuvers also served as training exercise for upcoming Gungu warriors. 

The advent of Europeans led the colonial government to ban hippopotamus hunting  in order to preserve the animal.

Afterwards, Rigata became prestigious display of wealth, power and influence during wedding ceremonies of  prominent people.

The trend prevailed until the visit of the then Premier of Northern Nigeria, late Sir Ahmadu Bello,  the Sardaunan Sokoto, to Yelwan-Yauri during which Rigata alongside Agricultural show were organized to honour him- -.Team@orientactualmags.com
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