It has been a way to prove their womanhood for thousands of years. Out of fighting, I used to be with children, discussing with them. If I witness this and can solve it, I will Any Senegalese would do this.. What are the salaries and wages of wrestlers? appreciated. Indeed, it takes place in particular in the regions of Casamance, Ziguinchor and Sine-Saloum. How Senegalese wrestling developed into a mythical mashup of styles Olympic Outposts. Lo hasnt forgotten his roots as one of 60,000 practicing wrestlers in the capital alone. Before the fight begins, the wrestler surrenders to the Baccou. Nicknamed "Sadio's Son," Ndiaye added that he hopes to make a full-time living from wrestling one day. Can You Get A Black Belt Without Competing In BJJ? There are three referees. All Rights Reserved. Africa is a continent of 1.2 billion people divided, physically, by some of the planets most inhospitable mountains, deserts and rivers, and politically, by decades-long conflicts, border disputes and humanitarian crises. December 14th, live from Dakar, Senegal, one of the greatest Senegalese Wrestling Champions ever will get to also punch people in the face. Like Sene, many wrestlers go by evocative nicknames, such as 'John Cena', after the American professional wrestler; or simply, 'Building'. A victory against Lac 2 would allow him to joust for the title again. Maybe people like what Im doing, all the effort Im doing right now. Its remarkable to think there was a time when giving birth to a wrestler was a mark of shame, says local sports journalist Malick Thiandoum. Frank vs Forza. Senegal's traditional wrestling has been a prominent spectator sport and cultural event in West Africa since the 1950s. The practice is traditionally taught to young men in special schools during their initiation into adulthood. They read about their competitors salaries in daily papers such as the Sunu Lamb, which reports exclusively on Senegalese wrestling, and start to form a sense of their commercial worth, accurate or otherwise. An expert in lutte avec frappe, a traditional form of wrestling from Senegal, Kane walked through his 2019 professional MMA debut against Sofiane Boukichou with wild punches and takedowns, forever changing his life. In this west African country, wrestling is not just a sport, but a chance at a better life. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/NatGeoSubscribe Get More Short Film Showcase: http://bit.ly/ShortFilmShowcase#NationalGeographic #Wrestling #ShortFilmShowcaseAbout Short Film Showcase:The Short Film Showcase spotlights exceptional short videos created by filmmakers from around the web and selected by National Geographic editors. Historically, Laamb wrestling was used in a festival fashion to celebrate harvests. Lo rejects the celebrity status that could come with his success, saying it is against the principles that first attached him to the sport. Its particularly important within the Joola community, in southern Senegal, and the Serer community in central Senegal. The Litvinov Grappling Workout Are You Strong Enough? We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Fighters sport magical charms known as "gris-gris" (pronounced "gree-gree") wrapped around their waist, wrist or biceps. Found throughout Senegal and the outskirts of Dakar. Often, there are extensions. This is to stimulate, galvanize the wrestlers. More precisely in the regions of Sin-Saloum, Casamance, etc. The more traditional, hands-free version is reserved for local village matches, while stadium fights routinely feature devastating jabs and punches. Nicknamed 'The Russian Tank', he is seen by many as the best freestyle wrestler in the world. The key is to build both balance and strength in the core and legs as fights always take place on sand, developing a solid foundation is essential. At the highest, stadium-packing level of La Lutte, each wrestler will spend a vast amount of money on amassing an entourage of shamans and religious teachers known as marabouts. Advertisement. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. But, for now at least, their effects can be very real. First of all, the arena is delimited by a circle of sandbags. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The Senegalese know wrestling as laamb, a deceptively simple contest between two men dressed in loincloths and decked in talismans. We take a ringside seat to find out more. A full edit of 111 images available on request. Push through take-downs, go ahead and explode out of the bottom of these. About 350,000 cattle are stolen and more than 2000 people killed each year by cattle rustlers. Sunday's fight will take place in front of 10,000 spectators, the stadium at half its capacity to try to avert coronavirus infections. So many boys are waiting, training night and day.. For the wrestlers of Senegal, they are believed to mean the difference between a crushing defeat and a glorious victory. It is a sport that's spread out across Africa and even includes punching in certain areas. This school has launched many champions such as Manga II, Mor Fadam, and the famous Tyson. These often take the form of a small cloth bag inscribed with verses from the Quran and containing ritual objects. Its specificity is that one can give punches to the face and the body like boxing. Many see wrestling a way out of poverty, which might explain the popularity of workouts on the beaches of Dakar. Through it, adults measured the boys' courage, urge to win and their spirit of self-sacrifice. Traditional wrestling is part of Senegal's cultural heritage, encompassing social integration and education, but its true form is dying out. It is now necessary to possess athletic, technical, mental and tactical qualities. Bobst recalls not being allowed into a room where this was happening because it was apparently dangerous and full of spirits. It made Eumeu so angry that he won the match. All Rights Reserved. Its a fight like all fights, Kane said. Wrestling is not just a sport, it has a considerable socio-educational aspect. One of the most important things to remember when learning Senegalese wrestling is to stay calm and composed and dont get caught up in the moment and start throwing wild punches and kicks. Did you encounter any technical issues? There are no matchups as people just go in and grab an opponent, or wrestlers walk around strutting until someone accepts their challenge. A synthesis of boxing and traditional wrestling, these matches are massive social events. The stadium has a capacity of more than . Wrestler Ngarafe Ndiaye, 22, said he started selling telephones during the pandemic. This sport brings together a physical, spiritual, cultural and folkloric dimension (bakk). Known as lute or laamb, at the end of the harvest season, after months of hard labor, youths would wrestle to prove their talent and intelligence and hopefully attract the attention of a suitor. This one though resembles Japanese Sumo wrestling rather than western wrestling. Men live together . Typically, a match will last no longer than the 90 seconds it takes a skilled fighter to upend a challenger, to the delight of the crowd. On top of all the grappling arts we briefly mentioned above, theres the traditional Laamb wrestling of the Jola women. The new arena, built in 28 months by the Chinese, cost 48.7 million euros and was paid for by the Chinese government. The salaries can reach 30 to 50 million FCFA for the fighters of the category heavy vehicles. You need to be focused on the sport like over 5,000 wrestlers you will get only 10 that make it., See also: Senegal island exposes horrors of the slave trade. Incorporating boxing techniques, it is called fight with strikes. Some people were watching it before, so everybody is happy now because they have myself, [KSW heavyweight Serigne Ousmane [Dia] Bombardier, so many younger boys are now training in the club where I train in Dakar. A fight lasts 2 times 10 minutes. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The Best Side Control Attacks DVD and Digital Instructionals. Some, like Balla Gaye 2 and Eumeu Sene are household names and, more popular than soccer players, says Bobst. However, there is no set time limit and the match can continue until one of the fighters is either forced to submit or makes contact with the ground other than their feet. ", Please enter a valid email and try again. The set-up will still be sparse theres rarely enough money for equipment but the chance to be noticed is worth the entry fee: The young men with the most talent will go on to train at one of the famous academies run by ex-fighters like Balla Gaye, who opened the first official wrestling school in Senegal, Bobst says. On 14 May, a fight resulted in between 80 and 200 million FCFA. However, this frills-free approach belies the intricacies and nuances of the sport. After nationwide unrest, Senegal lifted health restrictions this month, allowing the sport to resume. "text": "Senegalese wrestlers are typically quite large and often weigh in at around 200 pounds." Nuba wrestling is a martial art thats also based on grappling. It was a gruesome scene for a featherweight title bout at UWC 43 when Jos Pealozas ear exploded. According to the elders and griots, wrestling was a means of settling conflicts between kings through wrestlers. As with any type of wrestling, Senegalese wrestling training includes various variations. Wrestling training schools exist for all young boys. Indeed, it takes place in particular in the regions of Casamance, Ziguinchor and Sine-Saloum. Part of the reason behind such mass participation is the ease of access to wrestling. Discovery Company. Oumar Kane and Reug Reug are two different personas. pic.twitter.com/viATj8FT89, Raised in a fishermens village just outside Dakar, Kane was always tied to combat sports since early age. But it takes more than a rigid and dedicated training regime to reign victorious in the sport of La Lutte. Oops. Gris Bordeaux is a star in Senegal, a wrestling champion who also teaches at a wrestling school in the capital Dakar. Discovery Company. If the crowd overwhelmingly cheers one contestant, theyll end up walking away with the victory. CNN's Errol Barnett with Senegalese wrestling star Gris Bordeaux. The sport involves two opponents fighting in a circular ring, as the goal is to force the opponent to touch the ground with any part of their body other than their feet. Wrestling was reduced to a sideshow for those who had not been to French school, says Alioune Sarr, president of the Senegalese Wrestling Federation, referring to class structures left over from the countrys colonial era. Senegalese wrestling is a complex . Each fighter is afraid that an opponent could have more spiritual support, so they try to hire as many marabouts as possible to ensure that they win., Traditionally, gris-gris refers to amulets made by the marabouts. In the Oussouye area, in particular, Laamb is huge among women, and this region yields the most champions, and even Olympic representatives. MMA is a good sport I like very much. What are the rules of the Senegalese wrestling? Adoration and adulation awaits the victor, the loser left to tend to his deflated ego. Because wrestling has been passed down through oral history, theres almost a total lack of written documents on it. It can help improve strength, speed, agility, and overall fitness. Wiebe wins Freestyle Wrestling gold Rio 2016 . He is a Senegalese wrestler par excellence from 1995 to 2002. The training schools also bring together people from different communities. Its a very paranoid system, he says. The protgs each have gray-gray to protect them from bad fate and regularly make ritual baths. Initially, the Senegalese wrestling was a sport that determined the champion of a village at the end of the harvests in the ethnic Sereres and Diolas. Senegals climate is too hot for wrestling during the day, with matches taking place at dusk, illuminated by the glow of electric mosquito traps. It is often considered a way to resolve disputes, and wrestlers are held in high esteem. I couldnt understand what he was saying, but obviously he was not well. First of all, the arena is delimited by a circle of sandbags. Thats a big no-go in their culture. October 2, 2022. In this post, we will take a closer look at traditional Senegalese wrestling. Head to the beach at twilight in Dakar, Senegal and you're sure to witness a ruckus. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. But, with the entry of combat sports practices (boxing), its not as easy. This feature was shot between 2007-2009. However, most people are unaware of at least one grappling martial art that originates in Africa. Africa is a continent that is full of different experiences, to say the least. There are a number of techniques used in Senegalese wrestling. "mainEntity": [{ In an interview conducted by journalist Seyi Rhodes for Unreported World, 24-year-old part time wrestler Sadio Sissoko explains "wrestling is part of our culture. Traditionally, men go to wrestle first, and women only enter the sandy arena once theyre done. Wheel rims are loaded with rocks to make them heavier for weight lifters. Wrestling rivals football for popularity in Senegal. This sport is supported by the bravery of wrestlers. The most common techniques are the punch, the kick, the headbutt, the elbow, and the knee. Professionalism changed all that, and it the 1990s wrestling underwent a revolution. If you can afford to go to America then you really are someone.. Tyson (Mouhamed Ndao) has propelled this sport. All of these techniques can be used to either attack or defend against an opponent. Equal reverence is given to the removal of these amulets post-fight, too. Finally, theres the referees decision which is a tie-break, meaning nobody wins. But as the season built to its climax in Dakar in July, the . Arnold Allen: No moral victory in Max Holloway fight, I got half my pay, I lost my winning streak, I missed out on a title shot. Training has resumed after a year of coronavirus-related restrictions that had stopped them from practising their sport. Across this West African country, from dusty village squares to Dakars biggest arena, it is a sport that attracts sell-out crowds and shuts down cities with ease.Originating with the Senegalese Serer warriors who used it as a way of training for war, the sport has been making fighters famous since wrestler Boukar Djillakh Faye became a star in the 14th century. newsletter, Israel Adesanya Walkouts to Knockouts T-Shirt, Eddie Alvarez vs. Chad Mendes full fight video highlights, Mike Perry vs. Luke Rockhold full fight video highlights. Wrestlers practice bodybuilding enormously, because it has become a real asset to win the fighting. Wrestling isnt just a sport, its a valuable social heritage that must continue. Everest Twice in a Week, The Murmansk Surf Club, Russia's Hardest Surfers, Welcome to the African Surfing Revolution. Bare knuckle punching to the opponent's face and body is also allowed at higher levels. They also make sure to drink plenty of water and juice to stay hydrated. The physical practice of wrestling in Senegal, which comes in two forms (with or without punches), is nowadays a complex mix; combining sports, traditions, socio-economic and political factors, media, symbolic capital, logics of extraversion (Bayart, 1996; Fouquet, 2013), and of course the logics of power and success, as well as of informalization due to growing internal economic and migration . Champion wrestler Modou Lo shoulders the burden of many hopes and expectations on his broad frame. This means that athletes get endorsements, high-profile matches even hefty paydays if theyre amongst the best. Some wear T-shirts emblazoned with sponsors logos. But as Bobst looked on, something entirely unexpected unfolded. It can help improve strength, speed, agility, and overall fitness. If you do not live in Senegal and are interested in practicing Senegalese wrestling, it is important that you know that Senegalese wrestling is not as popular in the West, so finding a training partner can be difficult. The festival also acts as the best spot for scouting new talent that might end up wrestling on an international, and even Olympic level. In a remote part of the Sahara desert near lake Chad, the nomadic Wodaabe tribe (a subgroup of the Fulani ethnic group) take part in an annual courtship ritual competition called Gerewol ( Gurewol ) during which Young men dressed in elaborate ornamentation and made up in traditional face painting gather in lines to dance and sing, vying for the attentions of marriageable young women. This grappling art is now so developed it is an international competitive sport. Senegalese wrestling (Laamb en Wolof) is a popular, traditional sport from Senegal. Because of this . When a fighters back touches the ground, the fight is over and hes lost. "@type": "Question", He has since returned to Senegal to document wrestling matches across the country. The goal was the same, marking the coming of age of boys and proving their manhood. "name": "How Big Are Senegalese Wrestlers? Theyre not just part of a costume, says Bobst. It can be done together, fishing and wrestling, because its not professional fishing in big boats, just fishing to feed your family and have a little bit money, so it can be done with wrestling. Do You Use The Wrestling Guillotine In BJJ (And Why Not)? But apart from the hard work, magical rites are equally important to succeed. The recent influx of money into the sport may be a new and strange phenomenon in La Lutte. There are three referees. . For the sports superstars the rewards can be huge, with the biggest names earning up to $200,000 per contest. True cultural folklore, this struggle made it possible to determine the champion, the hero, the fighter of a whole village. The sport has been practiced since the 14th century and includes elements of mysticism. In most of Africa, football reigns supreme among sports, but in Senegal wrestling challenges it for popularity. January 1, 2023. The young men learn about society, hierarchy, and the fundamental differences between the traditional roles of men and women. The Fighting Spirit and Mysticism of Senegalese Wrestlers, The Crazy Competitive World of Arm-wrestling, This WWE Strongman Shares His Strength Secrets, Why I Climbed Mt. Did you encounter any technical issues? "Right now, I need another job to get by," he said. It has opened doors for me because I am able to take care of myself and my family and especially to help the young people in the community.. Four men are warming up in one of the training rooms at the lower level of the Senegal National Arena in Dakar. Its all about making sacrifices, says Bordeaux. In the sense of martial arts, the oldest continent also has a lot to offer. Bobst recalls watching one competitor run across the sand with two others attached to him by a large rubber band. As countries progressed, they kept on to some of these traditions, most notably the original grappling arts. When were talking about grappling arts of the world, apart from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, of course, a few different ones spring directly to our minds. Among them, the most numerous and most prominent are of course, the grappling arts. Thats what Im going after., So many people like [MMA] right now [in Senegal], he continued. But wrestling, it is from us. Make no mistake, as traditional as Laamb wrestling might be, it does produce fearsome overall grapplers. Lacking the money to use a proper gym, some men have built a makeshift gym of their own using whatever materials they can, such as car tires. Senegalese wrestling calendar 2021 - 2022. fights. Head to the beach at twilight in Dakar, Senegal and youre sure to witness a ruckus. The two opponents are allowed to use their hands and feet to attack each other. Theyre still strong and muscular, but theyll aim to get a bigger belly. The more you weigh, of course, the harder it is for an opponent to lift you in the air, and the more chance you have of using your bodyweight to beat them down. Theres more work to be done and investment to be ploughed into wrestling before that can be done, suggests Sarr: We need to strengthen our roots before opening ourselves up. Lutte avec frappe is bigger than soccer or any other sport in Senegal, he said, because its a sport from us., We can say that football and MMA comes from abroad, he said. The boys get about 10 days of training before they go out and wrestle, during which time theyre away from their parents and all live and train together. We look for work that affirms National Geographic's belief in the power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world. Remember, the goal is to knock down your opponent, not to injure him or yourself of course. Secondly, the wrestlers fight with their bare hands. I love it. Another way to win, or rather lose, is when someones back, both arms or both knees touch the ground. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. The sport is also a great way to build teamwork and camaraderie. Module 12: Senegalese Wrestling M12.2 Senegalese Wrestling: The Basics Traditional Wrestling Type of folk wrestling Practiced in West Africa, many countries that are former French or British colonies Popularity of Traditional Wrestling In West Africa, most popular sport both to practice and to watch Soccer is the second-most popular sport National sport of Senegal CNN . A traditional wrestling match in Senegal typically lasts for about 10 minutes. Lutte Traditionnelle is another grappling art that is specific to Africa. It has been practiced for centuries and is considered a national sport. Khalifa Ababacar Niang, the head of the wrestling stable that includes Sene, said that few are allowed to approach wrestlers ahead of bouts, for fear of black magic. It was primarily done in Egypt and was often part of military training. Making waves: Meet KK, the only female surfer in Sierra Leone. The filmmakers created the content presented, and the opinions expressed are their own, not those of National Geographic Partners. Share your experience? Some gloves would be nice, though. "Reug Reug's" KNOCKOUT Display . He says: The way we dress is to show harmony we dress for the fight and we become different. Gaye 2 became a superstar in Senegal after dethroning reigning champion Yekini in a fight that lasted all of 30 seconds. Inflaming the passions, many Senegalese reserve their seats in the arena to see their favorite wrestlers. To be a good wrestler you need to be a good judoka, a good boxer; you have to master Greco-Roman wrestling, Olympic wrestling you have to be an all-round sportsman.. Olympic wrestlers beware, Sudan's fighting giants are coming. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. They pour magic fluids over their heads.. Traditional wrestling is mostly practised in rural areas where it's not just a sport, it has a profound social and cultural role. Being a fisherman wasnt going to be his destiny. Over the years, Tahtib lost its place in society as a . 2023 Cable News Network. Many of the fighters competing at the top level believe their street cred is improved by temporarily relocating to Europe or the US to train. Up and down the strip giant men in shorts grapple in pairs; limbs taught, sinews strained. Sa thies vs Reug reug. The sport is believed to have originated from the Fula people, who live in the Sahel region of Africa. Wrestling. Today, this sport has become a real institution, a rewarding business, which stimulates all Senegalese. Bobst, a Swiss photographer, first came across the sport when working in a small village on behalf of an NGO in 2012. Young men who attend the Ecurie Dakar Plateau school for traditional Senegalese wrestling train in a schoolyard in Dakar, Senegal. There are drums and music. It is important to remember that Senegalese wrestling, unlike other types of wrestling, such as folkstyle, involves a combination of punches, elbows, and other strikes, therefore more effective for self-defense than other wrestling types, although its not recommended for self-defense in comparison to Krav Maga, BJJ, Jiu-Jitsu, etc. There are several different styles of wrestling practiced in Senegal, including Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling, and catch wrestling. Lacking the money to use a proper gym, some men have built a makeshift gym of their own. This community rallies all its forces around a single character the wrestlers as its representative. Firstly, the fighters are allowed to use their hands and feet to attack their opponent. Still, what may be seen as the earliest victory for womens rights, Jola women got the right to train and compete in wrestling as early as the 1400s. Senegalese wrestling is a sport that has conquered the heart of all Senegalese. Lets not forget that there are still many tribes in Africa that live according to ancient traditions. Many see wrestling a way out of poverty, which might explain the popularity of workouts on the beaches of Dakar. Senegalese wrestling is not typically used for self-defense, but it can be. Filmmaker Tom Sweetland captures the athleticism, ritual, violence, and brotherhood that underpins the sport, where the young challengers train to improve their familys lot in a country where many survive on an average income of only $10 a day.Follow filmmaker Tom Sweetland: https://www.hellosweetland.com/See more from Clouded Vision: http://www.cloudedvision.co.uk/About National Geographic:National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Incorporating boxing techniques, it is called fight with strikes. However, with the rise of MMA and the success of impressive fighters like Oumar Kane, there is a growing interest in its popularity and the desire to learn Senegalese wrestling. Mark Hann. The first fighting normally took place after the rainy season, and the wrestlers from various surrounding villages (mbaapat) were fighting. There are five separate bouts on Sunday's fight card . Usually the fighters start out lean and athletic, then later they try to put on weight, says Bobst. } I am training that, and I don't mind about [wherever the . Many other sports comes from abroad, like boxing, taekwondo, all those kind of things, [and] they belong to people from abroad. But money isnt the only force that moves. . Thanks to a rigorous training plan, their bodies could not be more perfect. It creates a story, encouragement, speaking directly to the wrestler, but also to all the participants. Furthermore, when that grappling art helps both men and women build a future for themselves by grappling, it has even more weight to it. When we wear the full attire for a fight, you wont recognize me!. In the end, it turned out that it wasnt even true; his own team had made the whole thing up to provoke him.. The psychological effect is undeniably powerful. Whatever weapon is used hand, elbow, knee, or an opponents own bodyweight the winner is the first to throw his adversary to the ground by lifting him up and over.
