Sudan Wrestling

Every week at the Haj Youssef stadium on the outskirts of Khartoum, Sudan, hundreds of people gather to watch Nuba wrestling, a tribal practice going back thousands of years. The Nuba are a group of 50 or more indigenous ethnic tribes who live in South Kordofan state in the southern part of Sudan.

The Nuba people, who are culturally diverse, speak various languages and no longer reside in their own territory, experience a feeling of unity via sharing common cultural customs. For instance, nearly all Nubian tribes participate in Nuba wrestling. They have been wrestling for generations, and even though it has been modernized, it still plays a significant role in their culture. Athletes in metropolitan areas typically come from sports groups, but historically, they would be the strongest men competing on behalf of various towns, therefore winning was seen as bringing honor to their hometown.

Instead of mats, the wrestling ring's surface is covered with sand. They must knock their opponent to the ground and hold them there until the referee signals the end of the match. Spectators reward the competitors by laying money on their foreheads at the conclusion of the round. Wrestling offers young Nuba men a chance to escape poverty and improve their social standing.

Rather than taking place in the middle of nature in rural settings, Nuba wrestling has evolved with time and found a new home in stadiums. However, modern Nuba culture still retains elements of the historical Nuba wrestling customs, and competitions offer a chance for the dispersed Nuba to reunite.