 Traditional wrestlers compete atBoreh inThe Gambia. | |
| Focus | Wrestling |
|---|---|
| Olympic sport | No |
Lutte Traditionnelle (fr. forTraditional Wrestling) is a style ofWest Africanfolk wrestling, known asLaamb inSenegal and inThe Gambia,Evala[1] in Togo, andKoKowa /Kokawa inHausa areas ofNigeria andNiger, or simplyLutte Traditionnelle, inNiger andBurkina Faso. International competition takes place during theJeux de la Francophonie and the newly organisedChampionship of African Lutte Traditionnelle.
Since the 1950s, a number of West African traditions have been assimilated into Lutte Traditionnelle as it has become a major spectator sport and cultural event. The major variation has becomeLaamb, or Senegalese Wrestling, which allows punching (frappe), the only of the West African traditions to do so. As a larger confederation and championship around Lutte Traditionnelle have developed since the 1990s, Senegalese fighters now practice both forms, called officiallyLutte Traditionnelle sans frappe (for the international version) andLutte Traditionnelle avec frappe for the striking version.[2]
In Nigeria, and Hausa areas of Niger,Kokawa has become regularised to the West African standard. There the striking component has been hived off to a separate boxing event calledDambe. Both are performed on the same traditional ring, though Dambe has become the preserve of traveling cofraternaties of fighters.[3]
Two fighters compete in a circular ring, in more formal events bound by sand bags. Each fighter attempts to eject the other from the ring, though they can win by knocking the other off their feet or onto all fours.[4]
Lutte Traditionnelle has grown in organisation and popularity throughout much of West Africa since the 1980s. Alongside national championships in many nations, several organisations have organised international tournaments, which in turn have necessitated a harmonisation of rules. International competition takes place during theJeux de la Francophonie and since 2000, is overseen by a coordinating body which organises theAfrican Championship of lutte traditionnelle. In 2008, theEconomic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) organised its first international championship for Lutte Traditionnelle inDakar, inviting teams from eleven nations: Senegal,Mali,Niger,Nigeria,Burkina Faso,Guinea,Gambia,Guinée Bissau,Togo,Liberia and laCôte d'Ivoire. Nigeria won the competition, marking the first time an Anglophone nation (outside the Gambia) has won a major Lutte tourney.[5]
TheCanarian migration route has brought migrant teenagers familiarised with Senegalese, Mali and Mauritanian wrestling intoCanarian wrestling, which has similarities and differences with the continental styles.[6]
| Africa | |
|---|---|
| Asia | |
| Europe | |
