10 images Created 2 Feb 2016
2015 Lens Culture Visual Storytelling Awards
Lens Culture Visual Storytelling Awards 2015, Series Finalist
Senegalese wresling is called "la lutte senegalese" in French and "lamb" in the local language Woloff. It's the most popular sport in Senegal—even more popular than soccer. Everyone, from boy or girl to grandmother and grandfather gathers in front of a TV when the big tournaments are taking place in the biggest sports arena in the capital Dakar.
Senegalese wrestling is quite similar to wrestling in many other countries, with one remarkable difference: black and white magic play a major role in the fights and the wrestlers pay a fortune for amulets, spells and magic fluids from wizards who are called "Marabouts." The magic amulets are proudly presented by the wrestlers before the fight, and the preparations with the Marabouts are an important part of the show, along with ritual drums, dances and hypnotic chants.
In the last few years, Senegalese wrestling drew the attention of big sponsors, mostly telecom companies, and the trophy money increased dramatically. Nowadays the winner of a big tournament can get around three to four hundred thousand Euros for just one fight. Therefore, many young Senegalese are dreaming of a career in wrestling, and over twenty thousand men in Dakar have already registered to fight as professional wrestlers—and this number is growing every day.
Senegalese wresling is called "la lutte senegalese" in French and "lamb" in the local language Woloff. It's the most popular sport in Senegal—even more popular than soccer. Everyone, from boy or girl to grandmother and grandfather gathers in front of a TV when the big tournaments are taking place in the biggest sports arena in the capital Dakar.
Senegalese wrestling is quite similar to wrestling in many other countries, with one remarkable difference: black and white magic play a major role in the fights and the wrestlers pay a fortune for amulets, spells and magic fluids from wizards who are called "Marabouts." The magic amulets are proudly presented by the wrestlers before the fight, and the preparations with the Marabouts are an important part of the show, along with ritual drums, dances and hypnotic chants.
In the last few years, Senegalese wrestling drew the attention of big sponsors, mostly telecom companies, and the trophy money increased dramatically. Nowadays the winner of a big tournament can get around three to four hundred thousand Euros for just one fight. Therefore, many young Senegalese are dreaming of a career in wrestling, and over twenty thousand men in Dakar have already registered to fight as professional wrestlers—and this number is growing every day.
