Igbo traditional wrestling is a very popular sport in the Igbo community. It is a practice and acknowledgement of skill and strength as well as the promotion of indigenous language, culture, norms, values, and traditions by young, physically capable Igbo men.
You only need to have read Things Fall Apart and know who Amanze the Cat was to understand this.
In Igbo land, a man is believed to prove his physical strength when he is able to fight off his aggressors and so wrestling shows strength and courage.
Before the wrestling season young men who will be competing train for months. When the victor comes out victorious in traditional wrestling is admired and respected by all. He is seen as a Warrior or a distinguished wrestler.
Traditional Wrestling sometimes is used to settle local disputes and conflicts between villages.
It is used to determine the right groom in cases where a young woman has many suitors, in such cases a wrestling match is arranged where all the suitors battle it out and whoever emerges victorious marries the woman. It is also a form of entertainment, usually the chief of the village and his chieftains when they are seated and the villagers gather around the village square to watch.
Wrestling matches take place in traditional rings which are filled with sand which cushions a fall. A flute boy is present to provide special tunes that stir the heart as this is believed to give added strength to the weak and urge spectators present to cheer the wrestlers on and encourage them.
