In Senegal, traditional wrestling has its roots in the culture and community of rural villages, particularly among the Serer people.

What began as tribal preparations for battle developed into village ritual and soon a form of entertainment. Men traditionally fought at village festivals after the harvest season as a way of attracting women, proving their virility and bringing honour to their communities.

But in the past 50 years, traditional Senegalese wrestling has grown exponentially to become a major national sport for both men and women - with celebrity fighters competing for big prize money, in large stadia and in front of thousands of fans.

"We can say that it is not just a sport," says sociologist Aly Tandian. "It has always been a socially stimulating factor in the Senegalese society."

"Today, there are villages that have become well known in all of Senegal because they have given birth to great wrestlers," he adds.

Today, the professional wrestlers at major events - like "Bombardier" and Eumeu Sene - are household names, winning over $80,000 a fight.

Up-and-coming fighters like "Lacrymogene", who we meet in this film, win more modest sums - from a few to a few hundred dollars. But the winnings mean that for some of the poorest Senegalese, wrestling can genuinely represent a means of clawing their way out of poverty.

Traditional wrestling is part of a wider phenomenon of combat sports in West Africa, including in countries like Gambia, Guinea and Gabon. In Senegal, the sport has attracted both genders, with the women's game now popular and well respected in its own right.

Olympic fighter Isabelle Sambou has won the African Championships nine times. Safiato Biola has competed in women's events in Europe and North Africa, and Anta Sambou says winning three golds at the 2017 Francophone Games has built her confidence and transformed her life.

"Wrestling is part of our culture," says Isabelle.

"If you wrestle when you're young, you can wrestle through your whole childhood, and as an adult you can still wrestle. Especially the girls, don't be afraid of a wrestler."

"I love my achievements so much that it has made me stronger," she says. "I also represent a force in my village, and that has made me reach the top."

In this film, we explore the popularity of traditional wrestling among Senegalese fighters and fans alike, men and women, urban and rural - from small village festivals to arena events in the capital, Dakar.

We look at wrestling as an expression of pride and cultural identity but also to show how sport - at even the lowest levels - can mean the difference for some between modest, local success and a miserable existence on the margins of society.

As Tandian says, "There are certain places, like the suburbs of Dakar, where young people only have two options: wrestling or leaving the country."

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Join us for an enlightening talk by the esteemed Dr. John Henrik Clarke titled "The Concept of God." In this captivating lecture, Dr. Clarke delves into the historical and philosophical perspectives surrounding the divine, exploring how various cultures and civilizations have interpreted the concept of God throughout history.

Dr. John Henrik Clarke was a pioneering African-American historian, educator, and author known for his extensive research on African history and its impact on the modern world. His work has inspired generations to reclaim their heritage and understand the profound significance of history in shaping identity.

In this video, you’ll discover:

- The diverse interpretations of God across different cultures
- Historical context and insights that challenge conventional beliefs
- Dr. Clarke’s unique perspective on spirituality and identity

Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of spirituality through the eyes of one of history's most influential thinkers.

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The Concept of God | Dr. John Henrik Clarke

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A history documentary on the wars which forged the Mali Empire!
In this series we trace the rise and fall of the Mali Empire. Part 1 (https://youtu.be/zQzjzVxKk74) covered the broad history of the region and the geopolitical events which set the stage for Sundiata's revolt against the Sosso Empire. In Part 2 we follow this Mankinka prince's campaigns which see him found the Mali Empire. We then cover the wars of conquest which led to the rise of this new kingdom to unprecedented heights.Sources:Spring, Christopher, African Arms and Armour, British Museum Press, 1993Walker, Robin, When We Ruled: The Ancient and Medieval History of Black Civilizations, Black Classic Press, 2011Diop, Cheikh Anta, Precolonial Black Africa, A Cappella Books, 1988Niane, Djibril Tamsir, Sundiata: an Epic of Old Mali, Pearson Longman; 2nd edition, 2006Music:"Heart of Africa" by Luke PN"Misguided Path" by Bonnie Grace"Desert Footsteps" by Sight of Wonders"Savannah Nights" by Zauana"In the Trenches" by Jon Sumner"Desert Winds" by Jon Sumner"There is no Sequel" by Philip AyersCredits:Research = J. BelaScript = InvictaNarration = Guy MichaelsArt = Penta LimitedOther Units of AfricaNubian Archers https://youtu.be/qvO3_kYRRw8?s....i=uZU_v0llG8EEWzwSNu Cavalry https://youtu.be/3tv7EbkrX38?s....i=Od9YOK0f5umzjyBZSa Band of Carthage https://youtu.be/oX3y1GYcCEY?s....i=Wwn6eKMQPyAb-ww4Ca War Elephants https://youtu.be/hDSRHGFCWEo?s....i=FCL-J7gUvR_vS9ZlTi Intro02:49 Founding the Empire05:30 Government07:40 Military10:56 Early Campaigns12:46 Conquest of Bambuk14:20 Conquest of Futa Djallon15:26 Conquest of the West18:29 Consolidation19:43 Internal Troubles20:45 Recovery21:34 Outro#africa #history #documentary