
Traditional wrestling is a source of national pride in many African countries, with the sport holding cultural and historical significance. In West Africa, traditional wrestling or 'Lutte Traditionelle' in French, is a popular style with roots in ancient wartime preparations and community life. This style of wrestling is particularly prominent in Senegal, where it is considered the national sport, even ahead of football.
Traditional wrestling is more than just a sport; it is a valuable social heritage that brings communities together and preserves cultural traditions. The practice is passed down through oral history and plays a crucial role in initiating young men into adulthood, teaching them about society, hierarchy, and gender roles.
While traditional wrestling is facing competition from modern professional wrestling, it remains an integral part of African culture and community.
What You'll Learn
The origins of African classic wrestling
African classic wrestling, or Laamb, has existed in Senegal since the 14th century. It is one of the country's national sports and is mostly practised in rural areas, where it holds profound social and cultural importance. The practice is traditionally taught to young men in special schools during their initiation into adulthood.
The history and techniques of Laamb have been passed down orally by griots, traditional West African troubadour-historians, and elders. The sport was used to settle conflicts between kings and practised as a recreational activity. It is particularly important within the Joola and Serer communities in central and southern Senegal, together making up about 18% of the country's population.
Laamb matches are accompanied by music, dance, and ceremonial performances, with different rhythms that change according to the wrestler and participating group. Supporters often sing chants such as "The chests scream when a great wrestler goes down, let's go, it's already dark".
In addition to Laamb, there are several regional styles of wrestling across the African continent, including Boreh in The Gambia, Evala in Togo, Kokowa or Kokawa in Nigeria and Niger, and Nuba wrestling in Sudan. These wrestling styles have their own distinct variations and are deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of their respective regions.
Wrestling has a long history in ancient Egypt as well, dating back to 3000-1100 B.C.E. Artworks and artefacts from this period depict wrestling scenes, with a focus on ground submissions and attacks on the arms and legs. Egyptian wrestling was often depicted as a means for the Pharaoh to demonstrate his power and godliness.
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The commercialisation of the sport
African wrestling has a long and rich history, with traditional forms of the sport playing an important role in preserving culture and customs. However, the commercialisation of wrestling in Africa, and the shift towards modern professional wrestling, has had a significant impact on the sport and its following.
Traditional African wrestling, passed down through oral history, holds a special place in society, particularly in rural areas. It is more than just a sport; it is a means of social integration, education, and conflict resolution. Traditional wrestling is often accompanied by music, dance, and ceremonial performances, with different rhythms and chants that create a story and encourage the wrestlers. This form of wrestling is deeply rooted in cultural heritage and brings communities together.
However, the commercialisation of the sport has led to a shift in focus towards modern professional wrestling. This form of wrestling, a synthesis of boxing and traditional wrestling, has become extremely popular and attracts young wrestlers with its massive social events. The commercialisation has also brought about a change in style, with modern professional wrestling resembling a spectacle akin to its western-inspired forms.
The Africa Wrestling Alliance (AWA) in South Africa is a prime example of the commercialisation of the sport. The AWA has been in existence for over 20 years and hosts regular shows that draw sell-out crowds. Their shows, such as the "House of Pain" in Cape Town, showcase the popularity and commercialisation of wrestling in the region.
Additionally, the influence of media and entertainment companies has contributed to the commercialisation of African wrestling. DuMont Networks, for example, showcased a range of wrestling-related shows that helped pro wrestlers gain household recognition. The involvement of media companies has played a role in the shift towards modern professional wrestling and its increasing commercialisation.
While traditional African wrestling holds cultural significance, the sport has undergone commercialisation, with modern professional wrestling gaining popularity, especially among the youth. This shift has resulted in large social events and a change in style, with entities like the AWA and media companies playing a role in the commercialisation of African wrestling.
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The impact of COVID-19 on tournaments
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on sports worldwide, causing cancellations and postponements of tournaments and events. The impact on African classic wrestling tournaments can be observed through the following effects:
- Cancellations and Postponements: The pandemic led to the cancellation or postponement of various wrestling tournaments and events. For example, the annual championship involving seven countries in West African wrestling was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
- Financial Losses : The sports industry, including wrestling, experienced significant financial losses due to the pandemic. This affected not only the wrestlers and organisers but also associated industries such as travel, tourism, infrastructure, and media broadcasting.
- Disruption to Athletes and Training: Wrestlers faced disruptions in their training routines and had to adapt to new safety protocols. Some wrestlers also had to overwork and participate in more matches than planned once restrictions were eased.
- Innovation and Adaptation: The pandemic forced wrestling organisers and associations to innovate and adapt. For example, the Gambian association invested in constructing eight wrestling venues as part of a $500,000 project to promote the sport in the country.
- Return to Competition: As restrictions eased, wrestling associations in the region gradually resumed competitions, with the 2021 season running from October to July. However, the return to competition was not without challenges, and there were reports of violence and cheating, which led to fines and suspensions for some wrestlers and clubs.
- International Impact: The pandemic's impact on international wrestling competitions was also significant. For instance, the Ecowas traditional wrestling championship, involving West African countries, had to be staged twice in 2018 due to the region's eagerness to host the event.
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The rules and restrictions of the sport
Traditional West African wrestling, known as Laamb in Senegal, Boreh in The Gambia, Evala in Togo, and Kokowa/Kokawa in Hausa areas of Nigeria and Niger, is a popular sport with a rich history. Here are the rules and restrictions of this style of wrestling:
Rules:
- Two wrestlers compete within a circular ring, usually on a sandy floor.
- The objective is to force the opponent to submit or make any body part other than the feet touch the ground.
- Punches to the face and body are allowed, which is a unique feature of Senegalese wrestling.
- The match is won by knocking out the opponent, making their head, buttocks, back, or hands and knees touch the ground, or forcing them out of the ring.
- In some variations, wrestlers must also pin their opponent's shoulders to the ground for a certain amount of time.
- In the past, matches were more violent and would continue until one wrestler conceded or died. However, this is now against the law.
Restrictions:
- No biting, punching, or grabbing the opponent's loincloth is allowed. This is to prevent injuries to the nether regions, ensuring that a wrestler can still have children.
- The use of charms and liquid concoctions, believed to bring good luck, is common. However, the practice of using charms to ward off evil spells is not allowed.
- Rituals such as the baccou, where a chorus of women introduces each wrestler, are permitted.
- Pre-match rituals like the bakk, an oral art performance to intimidate opponents, are also allowed.
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The future of the sport
African wrestling has a long and storied history, with roots in ancient wartime preparations. Today, it is a popular sport in countries like Senegal, The Gambia, Niger, Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Cote d'Ivoire. The future of the sport looks bright, with growing interest and participation across the region.
The traditional form of wrestling, called Laamb in Wolof, the Senegalese lingua franca, has become a significant source of income for athletes. The sport has evolved from its historical roots in ancient Egypt and tribal communities to a modern spectacle, attracting thousands of spectators and offering substantial prize money.
The future of African wrestling is bright, with increasing commercialisation and professionalisation. The sport is no longer just a traditional pastime but a thriving industry. This is evident in the construction of dedicated wrestling venues and the significant prize money on offer. For example, in Senegal, a winner can earn up to $80,000 per match, while in The Gambia, wrestlers can now earn up to $10,000 per bout, a significant increase from the mere $5 they received a few years ago.
The popularity of the sport is also growing beyond the region, with international competitions and the inclusion of wrestling in the Francophone African Games and the Ecowas traditional wrestling championship. The sport is even gaining traction on social media, with Soft Ground Wrestling Uganda becoming a social media phenomenon.
However, the future of African wrestling also faces some challenges. One issue is the problem of cheating, with some fighters allegedly receiving bribes to lose to undefeated rivals. There are also concerns around the use of performance-enhancing drugs, which was addressed at a 2019 summit. Additionally, the sport is facing competition from Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), with some wrestling champions switching to this American-dominated sport.
Despite these challenges, African wrestling appears to have a bright future, with increasing commercialisation, international recognition, and a dedicated fan base. The sport is evolving to meet modern demands while retaining its cultural significance and strong following across the region.
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Frequently asked questions
African classic wrestling, or Laamb in Wolof, is a style of wrestling that originated in West Africa, particularly Senegal. Wrestlers wear lambskin loincloths and charms tied to their bodies. The first contender to fall or touch a knee to the ground loses.
African classic wrestling has roots in ancient wartime preparations and was once a part of harvest festivals. It was used to determine the strongest man in the community and was a source of pride for villages.
African classic wrestling is the most popular sport in Senegal, with top wrestlers attracting between 20,000 and 30,000 spectators. It is also popular in other West African countries such as The Gambia, Niger, Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Cote d'Ivoire.