Wrestling - the traditional sport that 'unites Nigeriens' - video Dailymotion

FRANCE 24 English

Visit our website: http://www.france24.com  Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/France24_en

Transcript

00:00 A little dance before the big moment.

00:04 And now it's time to focus.

00:06 The annual wrestling tournament in the northern city of Agadez is more than just a sporting

00:11 event.

00:12 The wrestlers finally face each other, carried by the beat of traditional sugulu music.

00:18 Now in its 44th year, the national cyber competition comes after a turbulent year for Niger, which

00:25 saw military officers cease power on July 26.

00:28 But for 10 days, those troubles are forgotten, as all eyes are on the skill and maneuvers

00:34 of the wrestlers.

00:35 "In Niger, traditional wrestling is the king sport, it's the most loved.

00:43 We inherit it from our ancestors, so it's normal that people cling to this traditional

00:47 sport, which unites Nigerians.

00:50 Thanks to wrestling, we all know each other, we build solid relationships, we form a family,

00:55 it's the cement of unity."

00:57 The winner falls to his knees.

01:02 After just eight minutes, his opponent's knee and elbow have touched the sand, handing Isaka

01:08 Isaka an historic win, his third consecutive title at the cyber, and the sixth of his career.

01:16 Once practiced by villagers to mark the end of the harvest, traditional wrestling seems

01:21 to resist the test of time, whatever the odds and political turmoil.

01:25 [BLANK_AUDIO]

Wrestling - the traditional sport that 'unites Nigeriens'

Category

Transcript

Recommended