Africa is a melting pot of tradition and concepts amongst many countries. What many could not know is that there are quite a few efficient African martial arts taught throughout the continent.
That’s why we’ve compiled an inventory of essentially the most identified African martial arts. Learn beneath to study the historical past and methods of all of those African martial arts beneath.
Dambe (West Africa)
The primary of the twenty African martial arts that we’re overlaying is the Dambe or Dambe boxing. A west African martial artwork and sport that’s primarily practiced by the Hausa individuals of Nigeria.
Traditionally, Dambe was practiced by a gaggle of Hausa often called the “Butcher’s Guild” Initially developed for self protection, then for a ceremony of passage, and later as a fight sport.
It’s a fight sport that could be a mixture of placing and grappling. The Dambe boxers get right into a round sand pit often called “Kara” and battle it out.
A fighter’s energy hand is wrapped in a heavy material and is named the “sturdy arm.” Their lead hand with no material is named the “spear hand.”
A Dambe match lasts for 3 rounds and the winner is said both by KO, submission, or choose’s resolution. It’s not solely a sport, however a type of cultural id for the Hausa individuals.
Nguni Stick-Combating/Zulu Stick-Combating (South Africa)
The final of the African martial arts that we’ll cowl is among the most identified. Zulu stick-fighting is among the most recognizable types of stick-fighting practiced throughout the continent.
It’s also often called Nguni stick-fighting and was created by the Zulu individuals of South Africa. This type of stick-fighting is among the oldest identified African martial arts that’s nonetheless extensively practiced.
For the Zulu individuals, Nguni is a type of cultural heritage for them. Used as each a ceremony of passage, self-defense, and a type of leisure.
The motion of this fashion of stick-fighting is characterised by rhythm, agility, and method. Combating in rhythm to the beat of the spectator’s drumming and chanting.
Opponents put on the traditional Zulu stick and shields and do pre-ritual dances earlier than each match. Another teams could use different types of sticks and defend, relying on the group.
Right now, this type of stick-fighting is used as a option to protect cultural heritage, health, and sport.
Laamb Wrestling/Senegalese Wrestling (Senegal)
Laamb wrestling or Senegalese wrestling is one other one of many African martial arts that’s wrestling primarily based. Senegalese wrestling is the nationwide sport of the nation that’s a sort of folks wrestling.
It was created by the Serer individuals as a type of train for the warrior class of the group. Used to organize for conflict and as a ceremony of passage earlier than turning into the nationwide sport.
In a Senegalese wrestling match, the “mbers” (wrestlers) enter the ring and carry out a “baak.” A dance and track used to construct confidence within the wrestlers and his supporters, whereas instilling worry into the opponent.
The target of a Laamb wrestling match is to choose up your opponent and throw them to the bottom. Brief rabid punches from the clinch are additionally permitted to arrange the wrestler’s takedowns.
In Senegal, Laamb wrestling is watched by everybody and 20,000 spectators pack the nationwide area for occasions.
One of many greatest stars of this sport is the nationwide hero Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane. MMA followers know Reug Reug from competing in One Championship, the place he has a present file of 5-1.
Engola (Angola)
Many know the Brazilian dancing of Capoeira, however not the martial artwork that impressed it. Engola is among the African martial arts that disguises itself as a dance. However in actuality it’s a well-liked type of self protection in Angola, the place highly effective kicks are delivered.
Additionally known as Ngolo, Engola is a efficiency of formality fight that’s closely kick primarily based. The martial artwork is practiced by totally different ethnic teams across the Cuene river in southern Angola.
Similar to most African martial arts, Engola was used as a ceremony of passage for younger males. Most of the methods had been created to imitate the best way zebras battle. Utilizing fast actions to ship highly effective kicks.
In the course of the slave commerce, many Engola practitioners had been taking prisoner and shipped to Brazil. These Ngolos practitioners would innovate their fashion and this was how Capoeira could be created.
Nuba Wrestling (Sudan)
One other type of wrestling practiced in wrestling is the Sudanese fashion of Nuba wrestling. Additionally known as Nuba preventing is similar to Senegalese wrestling and a mixture of freestyle wrestling.
It’s a fashion of wrestling that was first practiced by the Nuba individuals of southern Sudan. This isn’t solely a sport, however a type of cultural id for the Nuba individuals.
Wrestling occasions typically happen throughout main festivals and holidays. The principles of this fashion of wrestling are additionally much like Laamb wrestling.
Opponents are allowed to make use of takedowns, in addition to hand strikes to take their opponent’s down. Whoever will get the takedown is said the winner.
Istunka (Somalia)
Istunka or Somali stick-fighting is a conventional weapon-based martial artwork practiced inside Somalia. One other one of many African martial arts, the place rivals assault one another with sticks.
It goes by different names comparable to Guban or Geri. The martial artwork is a fight system, sport, and one thing that embodies the cultural heritage of the Somali individuals.
Members within the matches have two giant sticks which might be used for offense and protection. Additionally they maintain a big towel/blanket of their lead arms which might be used for distraction.
Within the matches, factors are awarded for clear strikes to the pinnacle, physique, arms, and shoulders. Extra factors are awarded for cleaner methods that use superior velocity and timing.
The martial artwork and sport have had a resurgence lately after efforts to protect and promote the system. It’s the nationwide past-time of the Somali individuals and one thing almost all younger males take part in.
Musangwe (South Africa)
Musangwe is a method of bare-knuckle boxing that’s practiced inside South Africa. It’s one of the brutal hand at hand African martial arts throughout the continent.
This is among the few types of African boxing and one of many oldest on file. For hundreds of years, this fashion of preventing has been used to settle disputes between tribes with out full blown conflict. Very similar to the gypsy courses inside Europe.
However what units this fashion of naked knuckle boxing from the European fashion is the pre-fight rituals. Earlier than matches, the boxers take part in dances and gestures to problem the opposing aspect
The fights themselves are precisely the identical as what we see in Europe. There are not any cut-off dates and the match continues till both a boxer is knocked out or quits.
Tahtib/Egyptian Stick-Combating (Egypt)
In Egypt, all kinds of various African martial arts are practiced. One of many oldest martial arts practiced in Egypt is Tahtib or Egyptian stick-fighting.
It’s a weapon-based martial artwork that has centuries of historical past. This martial artwork combines parts of fight, dance, and cultural expression.
This martial artwork holds a big place in Egyptian folklore and stays an necessary a part of Egyptian heritage. Tahtib entails wielding lengthy sticks which might be usually fabricated from cane or bamboo.
Opponents have interaction in a rhythmic and choreographed alternate of strikes, blocks, and evasive maneuvers. It’s practiced as each a sport and for cultural occasions.
It’s a beloved martial artwork inside Egypt that’s each practiced and celebrated by many Egyptians.
Surma Stick-Combating (Ethiopia)
Ethiopia has their very own fashion of stick preventing, which is named Surma stick-fighting. Additionally known as Donga or Suri stick-fighting, Surma is a conventional martial artwork practiced by many Ethiopian tribes.
Particularly the Surma individuals, who the martial artwork is called after. Similar to most different African martial arts, Surma is greater than only a stick-fighting sport.
It’s used as a ceremony of passage and to settle disputes between neighboring tribes. Opponents wield an extended stick from a Sesham tree that they name a “donga.”
This stick has a size of 6 ft(2 meters) and rivals put on no extra safety and actually no clothes. The thing of the match is reasonably easy.
Opponents purpose to hit their opponent with out sustaining harm of any type. These stick-fighting bouts are accompanied by music sung by the spectators, which creates an brisk environment.
Surma stick-fighting is engrained within the tradition of the Surma individuals and one thing all of them take part in.
Moraingy (Madagascar)
The final of the African martial arts that we’ll cowl is the artwork of Moraingy from Madagascar. It’s a method of preventing that’s primarily practiced by the Malagasy individuals and the Saklava and Antandroy ethnic teams.
Moraingy is their model of kickboxing that takes place in a dust ring with no padding. This fashion of kickboxing is thought for its acrobatic kicks and dynamic strikes.
Fighters knowns as “mpifamos” have interaction in workforce bases one-on-one fights. It’s a placing dominant preventing fashion, however the object of the match is to knock their opponent out of the realm.
Moraingy fights are sometimes held throughout particular occasions, the place the spectators sing and create and thrilling environment.