Intangible Cultural Values and the Promotion of Peaceful Coexistence : Perspectives on the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival in Nigeria

Abstract

Culture is perhaps the most important expression of our common humanity. Its association with the creative, and productive, processes of mankind has made it the most ubiquitous feature governing the conduct and character of both human societies and human histories. Its tangible, and intangible, dimensions demonstrate an interesting relationship in the pursuit of some of the broadest, and most persistent, human objectives of freedom, dignity, peace, justice and prosperity. In this paper we look at how through the application, as well as the pursuit, of intangible values a most exemplary edifice for the promotion of peace amongst our various communities, and nation-states, was established. The Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, as an edifice, represents one of the numerous institutions that have come to symbolise a beacon, as well as an opportunity, for the promotion of peace, goodwill and friendship amongst various communities, peoples and states. The Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival is a regular event which takes place in Kebbi State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in West Africa. It brings people from far and near-including such neighboring West African countries like Niger, Chad, Togo, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Cameroons to participate in the Festival. Like many cultural festivals, in general, and fishing festivals in particular, it helps to promote deeper and wider bondages in the pursuit of unity, excellence, peace and friendship in both Nigeria, and the wider world. The creation, promotion and sustenance of such beacons of peace and friendship, the paper opines, constitute very important bases for the promotion and networking of peaceful relations at the levels of local communities, nation-states and the wider world in general.