The Voodoo Wrestlers of Senegal (World 2016, by Christian Bobst) - Swiss Press Award
srf.ch
Christian Bobst
Wrestling, known in English as "wrestling," in French as "la lutte," and in the local language as "lamb," is by far the most popular sport in Senegal. The "lutte Sénégalaise" differs from wrestling in other countries due to its mystical rituals, which are colloquially referred to in the West as voodoo. With the help of shamanic magic, amulets, magical liquids, and the conjuring of spirits, the wrestlers attempt to supernaturally strengthen their powers and weaken their opponents. These mystical rituals, along with hypnotic drum sounds, chants, and dance numbers, are celebrated as an integral part of the show in the "lutte Sénégalaise." Both the wrestlers and the audience are captivated by their effectiveness. With the involvement of major sponsors, such as the telco companies booming in Africa, the "lutte Sénégalaise" has now become a multi-million dollar business. In the last 10 to 15 years, prize money has increased more than tenfold. Champions now earn up to $250,000 per fight, and the big stars fill football stadiums to capacity. The entire population of Senegal, young and old, men and women, watch the fights spellbound on television. No wonder tens of thousands of young men in Senegal dream of a wrestling career and train at the ever-growing number of wrestling schools. The successful ones not only enjoy substantial prize money and social respect, but also secure jobs, for example, as security guards in hotels.
