Lamb ji

Senegalese wrestling is a very popular traditional sport in Senegal

Senegalese wrestling (njom in Serer; lamb in Wolof) is a very popular traditional sport in Senegal, especially in the regions of Sine-Saloum (among the Serers1) and Casamance (among the Diolas). It is also practiced in The Gambia.

A contact sport, Senegalese wrestling also includes boxing, hence the name "wrestling with striking". The wrestler can both strike and resort to clinch to defeat his opponent.

In addition to its sporting dimension, it incorporates a cultural and folkloric dimension (bakk), which implements the Senegalese cultural tradition through events.

Originally an amateur sport, Senegalese wrestling has become a professional sport that attracts more and more young athletes and spectators5. The fees of the wrestlers amount to tens of millions of FCFA (hundreds of thousands of Euros). The wrestlers are grouped into stables and adhere to the federation (National Wrestling Management Committee commonly called CNG) which is the management body of this sport6.

Beyond its sporting dimension, Senegalese wrestling or wrestling with strikes incorporates a cultural and folkloric dimension.7 Wrestlers often try to intimidate their opponents by wearing grigris or by adopting a certain gait when entering the the arena. The fees of the wrestlers amount to tens of millions of CFA francs. The wrestlers were grouped into stables and joined the National Wrestling Management Committee7.

Ritual

"False lion" before the fight

The fight is haloed with many mystical rituals, which are so many songs of bravery supposed to galvanize the wrestlers. All of this is followed by ceremonies to ward off bad luck before each fight. Beyond the physical preparation of the mbër (Wolof word designating the wrestlers), the procession of marabouts accompanying the athletes in the arena of the competition, come to crystallize saving prayers supposed to give victory to his protege who wears gray-gris (talisman), as well as ritual baths. Before each confrontation, the bërekat engages in bàkk) which consists of singing his prowess in order to intimidate the adversary and seduce his audience by dancing to the rhythm of the tam-tam. Songs, also sung by the appointed griots and morello cherries, who are then called "ndawràbbin".

It is also necessary to clearly distinguish the traditional modalities of the various historical forms of Senegalese wrestling from its modern practice also called "African Wrestling". The latter results from an effort of unification intended to allow the various ethnic groups to meet by means of a unified style; this style of synthesis is chosen for the Francophone Games (Nice, early September 2013). This new style also incorporates a specific ritual. Neither this creation of a modern struggle, nor the rituals adopted are opposed to traditional forms of practice. This is a new harmonization, amply helped by the CONFEJES which ensured the edition of two works coordinated by Frédéric Rubio. One deals with the various styles of wrestling and the various wrestlers who led the work for a first collection of data on African struggles. The other is a culmination allowing to lay the foundations of a style of synthesis allowing to open the practice to all women and men and children of all nations.

The regulations are very strict and complex. It is applied by three referees.

A fight lasts twice ten minutes and may include extensions10. The wrestlers fight with their bare hands and without any protection11.