Nuba wrestling

Although there are strikes, these are essentially part of the grappling; in other words, this is not a boxing system, as is, for example, Hausa dambe.

Training for both wrestling and stick fighting includes practicing under the supervision of former champions, performing athletic dances, learning traditional songs, and drinking much milk, while avoiding promiscuity and beer.

If a participant is seriously injured, then he or his family are supposed to be compensated by the other village, usually in the form of a cow or similar valuable commodity.

During wrestling and stick fighting tournaments, feasts, music, dance, and storytelling about former champions are integral to the practice.

Although stick fighting tournaments are not usually seen in modern cities (police take a dim view of crowds of armed young men roaming the streets), wrestling tournaments are often attended by people living in those same cities to help them retain their sense of cultural identity.