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The goal
of Nuba wrestling is to slam the opponent to the ground. Wrestling is
relatively recreational, and serious injuries are rare.Nuba wrestling has no
pinning and no submissions. Although there are strikes, these are
essentially part of the grappling; in other words, this is not a boxing
system.
Nuba stick fighting tournaments usually take place after harvest. This is
partly because this is the traditional war season, and partly to give thanks
for a good harvest. Because stick fighting is dangerous, participants pray
before bouts, and amulets may be worn for protection. If a participant is
seriously injured, then he or his family are supposed to be compensated by
the other village, usually in the form of a cow or similar valuable
commodity.
During wrestling and stick fighting tournaments, feasts, music, dance, and
stories about former champions are integral to the practice. Although stick
fighting tournaments are not usually seen in modern cities (police take a
dim view of crowds of armed young men roaming the streets), wrestling
tournaments are often used by people living in those same cities to help
them retain their sense of cultural identity. |
