[div class=”notice” class2=”icon”]The following is from an article on DstryrSG, part of the MiddleEasy Network.[/div]
This is very simple. You’re going to watch the video below. You’re going to swear it almost seems unreal (in a good way), and it will definitely feel surreal. How could an insanely badass sport like Laamb exist and be so popular in its native Senegal without us knowing anything about it? You’ll feel blessed now knowing that it’s real. You’ll tell your girlfriend/spouse/significant other and he or she will shrug and pretend to be interested, the way they do with most of the things you mention. You’ll know they don’t really care. But, you’ll care. And, together we’ll both become huge fans of Laamb. We’ll start Laamb clubs and organize trips to Senegal to watch the big matches. It’ll be amazing. At least, that’s how I have it all worked out in my head.
Laamb is the Wolof (an ethnic group from Senegal) word for “wrestling.” It’s a folk wrestling sport, with the single goal following that of many indigenous wrestling sports – throw your opponent to the ground (off his feet or on all fours) or out of the ring. It’s deeply rooted in tradition and spiritualism; the wrestlers douse themselves in protective baths prior to their bout and are adorned in talismans to ward off evil spirits. And, it’s huge in Senegal. Yeah. It’s that cool, and you’re just now hearing about it (unless you’re from Senegal, in which case, you’re probably making a smug face and are amused by my childlike interest in your native sport).
