Culture and tradition

Despite popular belief, sport has nothing to do with the athletic practices of ancient Greece. Originating in the Victorian period in England, sporting activities have continued to develop over time, to the point where today they occupy an essential place in society, particularly in Senegal. Among these activities, wrestling is certainly one of the oldest human physical activities; practised bare-handed, it precedes armed combat as a means of fighting. It's tempting to attribute the invention of wrestling to the Greek gods, since Mediterranean cultures accorded it an importance that is still reflected in a particularly rich artistic tradition. The history of wrestling in sub-Saharan Africa bears witness to the fact that it is one of the traditions to which the continent is most attached, and we don't hesitate to refer to it as Senegal's "national sport" even when it has to give way in popularity to soccer. Indeed, in Senegal, wrestling is probably the most popular traditional sport.