The Copeland Ramblings/

Lutte Sénégalaise (Senegalese Wrestling)

Today is a major day in the Senegalese sports world. This afternoon there will be a wresting match between rivals Balla Bèye II and Balla Gaye II. Depending on who you talk to here, Senegalese wrestling is even more popular than soccer. Images of major wrestlers are plastered all over the place. They’re on walls of shops, posters around town and taped to car windows. We’ve yet to see it in person but I’ve watched a few matches on tv. They take place in one of the stadiums here in Dakar and are almost always televised. I still have a lot to learn about it, but from what I understand the point of it is to simply get your opponents knees and hands on the ground at the same time. Another way to win is to get your opponents forehead on the ground. There are also many spiritual elements. Before the match each opponent usually does a dance and pours some sort of liquid over himself. During most of the matches I’ve seen they use milk. These rituals are done in an attempt to gain favor with spirits and increase their luck. Because this match is between major rivals we’ll have to be careful this afternoon. There is the chance of riots afterwards around the stadium.

image credit: Beatrix Meszoly

Here is a video of a match from 2008 between the two best wrestlers of that year. The action doesn’t really start until the 2 minute mark.

On this day..

• Mr. and Mrs. Ken Copeland - 2011
• 3 days... Join us tomorrow! - 2009
• 4 Days... Action Packers a plenty! - 2009
• Bike Our Supplies to Africa! - 2008