Senegalese wrestling (Njom in Serer, Lutte sénégalaise or simply Lutte avec frappe in French, Làmb in Wolof, Siɲɛta in Bambara) is a type of folk wrestling traditionally performed by several African tribes, from the Wolofs of West Africa to the Nuer and Dinka of South Sudan.

[3] It takes its root from the wrestling tradition of the Wolof – formally a preparatory exercise for war among the warrior classes depending on the technique.

Some terminologies associated with Senegalese traditional wrestling are from Wolof culture and language and include such concepts as Bàkk, Bàkku, Tuus, Léewtoo, Roofoo (derived from roof), Botti (from its opposite Boot), Nooju, Sukkarbi (from sukk), Seŋoor, Gal gal, Pàdd um biir, Pàdd um biti, Song, and Mbapat (derived from mbap, which in Wolof means “a way of falling”).

[15] Traditionally, young men also used to fight as a distraction, to court wives, prove their manliness, and bring honor to their villages.

In general, bàkk (which could also be spelled as baku, bakku, bakkous) is an oral art performance that is used to boast about oneself in order to instill a sense of fear or reverence in the audience or rivals.

[16] Bàkk is not only used in the context of wrestling but can also be used in political speeches or other encounters in which someone feels the need to brag about his accomplishments to receive admiration.

Historically, Wolof griots and griottes were singers tasked with relaying the eulogies of heroes and heroines who overcame hardships.

[16] This famous bàkk was repeated often by children in Senegal and sang on the national radio on weekends during which combats took place.

[19] But despite the growing popularity, Senegalese wrestling has come under threat of having their top stars lured away by the bigger money from mixed martial arts (MMA).

Senegalese wrestlers, youth in specific, struggle with dropping out of school to pursue wrestling as well, prompting notable names in the sport to speak out against the issue saying their education is more important.

[19] In April 2008 a BBC documentary entitled Last Man Standing covered the lives of a group of British and American hopefuls at a boot camp in Senegal who took on Senegalese opponents.

[23][24] Since the 1950s, Senegalese Wrestling, like its counterparts in other areas of West Africa, has become a major spectator sport and cultural event[citation needed].

The champions of traditional wrestling events are celebrities in Senegal, with fighters such as Balla Gaye 2, Yékini (Yakhya Diop), Tyson (Mohamed Ndao), and Bombardier (Serigne Ousmane Dia) the best known.