Benue State, predominantly populated by members of the Tiv ethnic group, boasts of rich cultural heritage elements, represented through monumental masquerade performances, colourful displays of clothes, and spiritual music and dances. These dance performances, from the Anchanakupa, Ange, Ingyough, and Swange of the Tiv to the Anuwowowo and Odabaru of the Idoma, provide rich entertainment while also serving as a reminder of history and culture. These dances, often displayed at festivals, are deeply spiritual. For instance, during the Akata Benue Festival, drums and dances are used to summon spirits and ancestors to re-establish contact with the people.

Benue State takes its name from the Benue River, the longest tributary of the Niger River. The state capital, Makurdi, is also the main port of the Benue River. This explains why the cultural practices of its people are significantly connected to water. The Akata Benue Festival is one such festival that provides a glimpse into the primitive roots and nativity of this part of Middle Belt Nigeria.

Akata is a community located in Katsina-Ala local government area in Benue State. The festival is mainly characterized by fishing activities. It commemorates the spirit and highlights the riverine abundance that graces the area. The Akata community, banked by the Benue River, uses the river as a source of fish and a site for fishing activities.

The main participants of this festival are the Tiv fishermen, amongst others, who predominantly populate this part of Nigeria. The men are symbolic of the culture, representing the essence of strength and aquatic expertise. During the festival, these men compete among themselves in a quest to make the highest catch. The fisherman with the highest catch is honoured and rewarded handsomely and goes on to become the celebrant of the festival. This fishing sport is full of masculine aura, which makes one wonder if it is one of those strict traditional practices, like masquerading, that is often exclusive to males.

The fishing competition is accompanied by sacred performances, dances, and drums that add some mystic spirituality to it, denoting it as a practice of oral African literature. There are also elegant displays of costumes, racing, cooking demonstrations, etc., but they are all derivatives of the main fishing event.

Over the years, this festival has remained an important celebration of the culture of the People, promoting unity, solidarity, and cultural exchange. It has evolved to become an event for trade transactions, tourist attractions, and other forms of social exchange, providing opportunities for economic growth and development. It has helped individuals and organizations tap into the various opportunities of Benue State, inspiring innovation and entrepreneurship. It continuously attracts tourists from different parts of the world and has fortified the Akata community and its people as an important edifice of the rich diversities that grace Nigeria, celebrating their unique cultural identity.