CULTURAL EMBELISHMENT OF WATER BODIES, REGATTAS AND FISHING FESTIVALS IN NIGERIA’S RIVERINE COMMUNITIES SINCE 1895

Abstract

This paper explores cultural embellishment of water bodies, regattas and fishing festivals in Nigeria’s riverine communities since 1895. It highlights the concepts of cultural embellishment, water bodies, fishing festivals, and regattas. It stresses that the embellishment of water bodies has continually played important roles in the maintenance and sustenance of aquatic lives and building healthy livelihoods, transportation, and provision of drinking water, aquatic foods, etc, to the riverine people and beyond. And that embellishment of water bodies is necessary before fishing festivals and regattas can be celebrated. The paper also discusses the effects of fishing festivals on the lives of the people and the visitors to the area including; an environment for celebration, bringing the people to nature and promoting the fishing skills of the people. In the same vein, the paper explores the historical significance of regattas and its present relevance. A historical method of quantitative and qualitative objective content analysis of primary and secondary sources was adopted in this paper. The findings of this paper have revealed among other things that the cultural embellishment of water bodies has continued to play significant roles in these communities; that fishing festivals has continued to be used as a means to celebrate great events and tourist attractions; and that regattas in the past played security, sports, and entertainment roles, but in the contemporary period are used for sports, celebrations, and entertainment roles. The paper concludes with the view that the trio have continued to play significant roles in the socio-economic development of the riverine communities.