Bor Town: The City of Great Wrestlers
By Malith Alier, Juba
Traditional wrestling is a multilateral cultural event popular among cattle owning communities of South Sudan. It is the most popular event among the Dinka on the eastern and western banks of the Nile. The Dinka and Mundari in Jonglei, Lakes and Central Equatoria States practice it all the time.
Traditional wrestling is truly a multilateral event accompanied by dancing, singing as well as courtship among young people. It is the test through which young people assert their strength and fame that comes with it.
The up and coming potential wrestler(s) invite the well known existing wrestler(s) so that the contest decides who the next top wrestler is. If the existing wrestler still has some steam, he continues until next time.
In a period of one week I was in Bor, I saw more than five contests organised among several sub clans as preseason rehearsals. The coming dry season will see tens of contests organise going forward to 2015.
Wrestling among the promoting communities is a sport like no other. The modern sports like football and other games are just an addition to this traditional muscle sport.
Many wrestling sports activities were organised in Juba from 2011 and the attendance was phenomenal. The wrestling triangle of Jonglei, Lakes and CES showcased their wrestling talents to the whole nation before and after the Southern referendum of 2011.
A few names of wrestling greats are still in memory. Majok Jok, Ajang Garang, Deng Adol, Muor ci Kueng, Jada, Gore Mapak and many more still generate interest in wrestling.
Wrestling as a sport has many benefits. It is where people meet with friends. The wrestlers can also meet new friends and acquaintances.
What is very interesting with wrestling is that many songs are composed against opponents on the one hand and for self praise on the other.
The hit song for the year 2014 in light of Riek’s rebellion goes like this:
……………….( ran de abi dhuk ror ci Riek Machar) meaning another gentleman will go back to the bush like Riek Machar………….
Though Riek and forces have caused so much destruction they were forced out to the bush just like in 1991. The power of Riek forces cannot match that of the government just like the power of one wrestler against another is not the same.
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