The Igbo traditional wrestling of Nigeria
The Igbo people, also spelled and formerly called Ibo, are an ethnic group in Nigeria. They are mostly found in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States. A sizable Igbo population is also found in Delta and Rivers States. Large ethnic Igbo populations are found in the Republic of Cameroon, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea, as well as outside Africa. There has been much speculation about the origins of the Igbo people as it is unknown how exactly the group came to form. Geographically, the Igbo homeland is divided into two unequal sections by the Niger River – an eastern (which is the larger of the two) and a western section. The Igbo people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa.
Traditional Igbo wrestlers in action
Igbo traditional wrestling is a very popular sport in the Igbo community and has been since its origin. It is a practice and acknowledgement of skill and strength, as well as promotion of indigenous language, culture, norms, values, and traditions by young, physically capable Igbo men. 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 wresting season, young men who will be competing would have trained for months. A young man who comes out victorious in a traditional wrestling match is admired and respected by all levels of the community. He is seen as a warrior or a distinguished wrestler.
Perhaps Nigeria’s most popular pro wrestler of all time, Power Mike, hailed from the Igbo region
Traditional wrestling contests sometimes are used to settle local disputes and conflict between two villages. It is also 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 are seated and the villagers gather around the village square too to watch.
Wrestling matches take place in traditional rings, a ring filled with sand which cushions their fall. A flute boy is present to provide special tunes that stir the heart, this is believed to give added strength to the weak. Spectators are also present to cheer the wrestlers on and encourage them just as it is now in professional wrestling. The winner of the contest takes home a prize which can be money or other gifts.
World rated professional wrestlers that have emerged to rule the world of pro-wrestling from Igbo land are: the late Power Mike, former world heavyweight champion and title holder; the late Ben Lion Heart, former commonwealth wrestling champion; the late Iron Fineface, former African Middleweight champion; Former African tag team champions Iron Saigun and Iron Bone; world heavyweight champion Ultimate Commander and a host of other Igbo pro wrestlers like Mr. Sharpman, Golden Power, and so on, making the Nigerian nation proud.
with notes from https://www.facts.ng
