At the invitation of G., Randi and I attended lutte senegalaise, Senegalese wrestling, on Sunday afternoon. Lutte is a very popular, and widely-followed sport here. It is a grand spectacle, with elements similar to what we know in the States as WWF (World Wrestling Federation), the difference being that this is the real-deal, and all the apparent show is purposeful. Note lutte and Wiki for background.
While preceded by hours of ritual preparation, the actual wrestling matches are quite brief, perhaps thirty seconds or less. Essentially, the first one down looses. That's it. Winner take all.
The stadium grounds were abuzz with activity, and awash with competing rhythm, with four drumming groups performing. Wrestling clubs, led by their star athletes, together danced to practiced choreography, postured for their cheering fans, and applied what appeared to be layers upon layers of juju, in the form of grigris, liquid potions, and fetish. One wrestler taunted his adversary prior to a match by throwing an animal hide on the ground and whipping it, as if to say, that'll be you, buster. Just prior to the start of a match, one wrestler followed the competition in the center ring throwing what appeared to be symbolic darts, juju bullets. Take that you swine!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment