The strongest maidens on the Leboku parade
Photo from Kansas University
Leboku wrestling competitions. Videoclips
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In some West African regions, wrestling is practiced not only by men but by women too. Female wrestling is particularly popular in the Southern Nigeria where the Yakurr people live (Cross-river state with the capital Ugep). Competitors in the traditional West African wrestling compete in the standing position. The upright winner is the one who manages to throw an opponent to his/her back or throw the opponent remaining on foot. If both fall, whoever touches the ground first by any part of the body except feet loses a score. If neither one get three winning scores the match is restarted. The strongest men like using impressive "lift and throw" techniques while women mostly use more sophisticating technique of standing wrestling.
In fall, the Yakurr people celebrate a yam harvesting festival called "Leboku". Because yam is the Yakurr’s main crop, they celebrate a good harvest. Both male and female participate in various forms of celebrations – dances, singing, athletic competitions. In Ugep, wrestling is a sport for men and women alike (especially during special occasions such as the Leboku festival).
The three-week celebration starts with the Mblemi. On this day, the harvest of new yams is officially flagged off. Later, beautifully attired women from different farm-roads and groups parade the town with their harvests.
The second day, "Janenboku", which literally translated means "women’s festival day". On this day, gifts are given to women by their loved ones and friends. On the second day male and female wrestling competitions are held to select prize winners and to determine ranking. The results of wrestling matches are important for both - males and females. While male winners are obviously prized, for maidens it is especially honorable to win in wrestling competition because for next days "Leteboku" maiden parade and dance events, the girls line up according to their strength ranking. Moreover, the Miss Beauty nomination and award also depend on the wrestling achievements.
After a day of rest, which affords the Leboku maidens opportunities to cultivate new friends, known as Nkokeboi, there is Leteboku. The Leteboku is a performance poetry contest among Leboku maidens from each of the traditional Ugep wards. The songs danced to, and the rhythm produced by the leg-bangles worn by the maidens is a delight to watch. For Leteboku, they line up according to their strength, which was determined earlier during wrestling competitions. The girls' somber expression and restrained body movements are due to the weight of the bangles, but are also culturally prescribed. Women in Yakurr society are conditioned to act "cool" and to contain their emotions.
The wrestling style young women practice is “Traditional West African,” but Leboku matches take place on a rug and in a ring resembling American-style WWE wrestling, which is popular among Nigerian television viewers. Unlike in the WWE, though, the wrestling is very real and referees aren’t just for show. The girls demonstrate great wrestling skills and techniques indicating hard pre-training the girls have to accomplish in order to prepare to such prestigious and important for them competitions.
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Leboku wrestling competitions. Videoclips
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