Friday, 9 August 2024

THE AFRICAN ORIGIN OF WRESTLING

Wrestling is an ancient sport that has been practiced by civilizations all over the world for thousands of years. While many people associate wrestling with ancient Greece or Rome, there is evidence to suggest that the origins of this sport can be traced back to Africa. In his book, Fighting for Honor: The history of African Martial Arts in the Atlantic, Dr. Thomas Desch-Obi notes that the early fighting sports historians incorrectly traced African wrestling styles to Kemet's Beni Hasan wrestling system. However, linguistic history and the archaeological evidence of various non-Kemetic African populations demonstrate to modern historians that wrestling was widespread in almost all West African groups, and "a cultural trait of the Niger-Congo-speaking peoples." Fighting sports are found in nearly every tribal community in the African continent, but every group practiced and lived their martial art differently.

One of the earliest documented forms of wrestling comes from the Nuba people of Sudan. The Nuba people have a rich history of traditional wrestling, which dates back centuries. In their culture, wrestling is not just a sport but also a way to settle disputes and maintain social order. The Nuba people have developed unique techniques and styles of wrestling that are specific to their region. They often compete in organized tournaments, where wrestlers from different villages challenge each other for honor and prestige. Ancient Kemetic civilization also had its own form of wrestling, known as “tahtib.” Tahtib was a martial art that combined elements of wrestling and stick fighting. It was practiced by both men and women and was often performed during religious ceremonies. Depictions of tahtib can be found on ancient Kemetic reliefs and paintings. These artworks show wrestlers engaged in various holds and maneuvers, suggesting that wrestling was an integral part of their culture. The Hausa of Northern Nigeria have two traditional wrestling contests depicting the aforementioned contests that are celebrated yearly. 

#Africa #World

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