Lhe Senegalese wrestling (or lamb, laamb in Wolof) is a very popular traditional sport in Senegal, especially in the regions of Sine-Saloum and Casamance. It is also practiced in The Gambia.
Contact sport, Senegalese wrestling also incorporates boxing, hence the name “wrestling with strike”. The wrestler can both kick and use melee to defeat his opponent.
In addition to its sporting dimension, it integrates a cultural and folk dimension (bakk) which implements the Senegalese cultural tradition through activities. She can be considered as one of the “temple keepers”.
Initially an amateur sport, Senegalese wrestling has today become a professional sport which attracts more and more young athletes and the public. The wrestlers' fees amount to tens of millions of FCFA. The wrestlers are grouped together in stables and join the federation which is the management body of this sport.
History
Traditionally, the first wrestling bouts took place after the rainy season and pitted wrestlers from surrounding villages against each other in championships called mbaapat. This is particularly the case in the regions of the north, Sine-Saloum and Casamance. The tournament winner could take cattle, grain, and other in-game goods with them.
Over time and with success, the fights become more and more important, the stamps of the wrestlers too.
Big names mark the history of Senegalese wrestling: Falaye Baldé, Doubaless, Mbaye Gueye (Tigre de Fass), Manga 2 (King of the arenas) among others.
But it was with the advent of Mouhamed Ndao (Tyson) that the fight took off to become a professional sport with millions of francs in fees and a large number of spectators. Today fights are major sporting events mobilizing the media and the attention of residents and the diaspora.
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