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Nuba Wrestling
At first glance, when you hear the cheers and chants of the crowd, you might think you’re at a football match. However, as you get closer to the arena surrounded by enthusiastic spectators, the scene becomes clear.
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How Sudanese Wrestling Transformed from a Cultural Ritual in the Nuba Mountains to a Popular National Sport
By: Mujahid Al-Doma
Originally published by (Beam Reports) in 01/12/2022
At first glance, when you hear the cheers and chants of the crowd, you might think you’re at a football match. However, as you get closer to the arena surrounded by enthusiastic spectators, the scene becomes clear. Two wrestlers stand in the middle of a sand-covered ring, grappling with their hands, striving to bring the other down to win a round of Sudanese wrestling, known as Al-Sira’a.
Wrestling (Al-Sira’a) has deep roots in the South Kordofan region (Nuba Mountains), where it originated as a cultural practice and an integral part of the identity of various tribal groups, with additional social and economic dimensions.
Initially, wrestling was associated with celebrations and festivals held during the harvest season, from August to December each year. These events often featured artistic performances by the wrestlers before their matches. As part of the tradition, each tribal group trained its young wrestlers, ensuring they followed a comprehensive diet (including fresh milk, meat, honey, and sesame) to prepare them for competing against wrestlers from other tribes.
New Arenas
Due to the repeated civil wars in Sudan, which affected South Kordofan, many people began migrating in the 1970s, seeking safety and new opportunities. This movement brought displaced populations to other states, particularly the capital, Khartoum, and its outskirts. Along with them came their traditions, culture, and rituals, including dances like Karnak and Kambala, as well as wrestling. The latter gained widespread popularity as a sport, leading to the establishment of several wrestling arenas in places like Haj Yousif (East Nile) and Abu Hamad (Omdurman). These arenas now host diverse audiences of Sudanese and foreigners twice a week to enjoy and cheer on the matches.
The transformation of wrestling from a cultural practice to a sport brought changes to some of its rules and the way wrestlers (known as “Knights” in the Nuba Mountains) adorn themselves. Wrestling now operates under established laws and regulations. Additionally, the Sudanese Wrestling Federation was established to oversee the sport. Players began affiliating with clubs rather than the tribal groups from which they originated.
Due to the notable similarities between Sudanese wrestling and Japanese sumo wrestling, Sudanese arenas have, on several occasions, seen participation from Japanese individuals, including the Japanese diplomat Yasuhiro Morotatsu.
In March 2022, the fifth national wrestling championship concluded in the city of Khashm al-Qirba (Kassala State). The event, first organized by the Sudanese Wrestling Federation in 2017 in Khartoum, has since become an annual gathering hosted by various states, including Gedaref, Kassala, Blue Nile, and again in Kassala in March 2022. The championship was held under the slogan, "Through Wrestling, We Strengthen Peace," with six states participating: South Kordofan, White Nile, Gedaref, Khartoum, Red Sea, and Kassala. However, West and North Kordofan, Sennar, Northern State, and Blue Nile apologised for not taking part.
International Participation
In recent years, the Sudanese national wrestling team has participated in several African and Arab championships, achieving a notable number of titles and medals. The team won two bronze medals at the African Championship in Nigeria in 2018 and five additional medals at the Arab Championship in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The team further enhanced its experience and international participation, culminating in winning 12 medals at the 2019 Arab Championship and the Ibrahim Mustafa International Tournament.
Last May marked a new breakthrough for Sudanese wrestling on the international stage. Sudanese wrestler Patricia Saif al-Din, the first female wrestler to compete in an international tournament, achieved third place and won a bronze medal in the 68 kg category at the African Championship held in Morocco, which featured participants from 34 countries.
It is worth noting that Patricia is one of many women who have joined wrestling through the Talent Discovery Project, a programme organized in partnership with the International Olympic Committee and international federations. The Wrestling Federation benefited from this initiative in 2018, with Patricia securing one of the top positions in the programme and further participated in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
A New Generation
The rise of wrestling and its appeal across all age groups has emphasized the need for institutions to nurture and train young talents of both genders. To this end, the Wrestling Federation has been organizing martial arts training sessions for boys and girls aged 7–19, aiming to develop the sport by providing the necessary skills and education.
The fifth session of the Martial Arts School Project was held before the war, targeting school students. Around 150 boys and girls from Unity National Schools (East Nile) participated. The project is implemented by the Sudanese Wrestling Federation in partnership with the International Center for Martial Arts (South Korea) and under the sponsorship of UNESCO.
The spread of wrestling and its transformation from a social and ritual activity tied to harvest celebrations in the Nuba Mountains into a widely-followed sport across Sudan showcases the value of cultural exchange. It highlights the openness of cultures to one another and the intermingling of traditions.
The video shows footage of the 2020 Nuba festival held in Khartoum, the festival included traditional dancing and traditional Nuba wrestling, a popular sports that attracts hundreds of people every week to watch. Filmed by Snoop for the Western Sudan Community Museums project
Cover picture: Every Friday, Sudanese wrestling takes place between Nubian and South Sudanese tribes in Haj Yousif © Mohammed Osman, Khartoum
How Sudanese Wrestling Transformed from a Cultural Ritual in the Nuba Mountains to a Popular National Sport
By: Mujahid Al-Doma
Originally published by (Beam Reports) in 01/12/2022
At first glance, when you hear the cheers and chants of the crowd, you might think you’re at a football match. However, as you get closer to the arena surrounded by enthusiastic spectators, the scene becomes clear. Two wrestlers stand in the middle of a sand-covered ring, grappling with their hands, striving to bring the other down to win a round of Sudanese wrestling, known as Al-Sira’a.
Wrestling (Al-Sira’a) has deep roots in the South Kordofan region (Nuba Mountains), where it originated as a cultural practice and an integral part of the identity of various tribal groups, with additional social and economic dimensions.
Initially, wrestling was associated with celebrations and festivals held during the harvest season, from August to December each year. These events often featured artistic performances by the wrestlers before their matches. As part of the tradition, each tribal group trained its young wrestlers, ensuring they followed a comprehensive diet (including fresh milk, meat, honey, and sesame) to prepare them for competing against wrestlers from other tribes.
New Arenas
Due to the repeated civil wars in Sudan, which affected South Kordofan, many people began migrating in the 1970s, seeking safety and new opportunities. This movement brought displaced populations to other states, particularly the capital, Khartoum, and its outskirts. Along with them came their traditions, culture, and rituals, including dances like Karnak and Kambala, as well as wrestling. The latter gained widespread popularity as a sport, leading to the establishment of several wrestling arenas in places like Haj Yousif (East Nile) and Abu Hamad (Omdurman). These arenas now host diverse audiences of Sudanese and foreigners twice a week to enjoy and cheer on the matches.
The transformation of wrestling from a cultural practice to a sport brought changes to some of its rules and the way wrestlers (known as “Knights” in the Nuba Mountains) adorn themselves. Wrestling now operates under established laws and regulations. Additionally, the Sudanese Wrestling Federation was established to oversee the sport. Players began affiliating with clubs rather than the tribal groups from which they originated.
Due to the notable similarities between Sudanese wrestling and Japanese sumo wrestling, Sudanese arenas have, on several occasions, seen participation from Japanese individuals, including the Japanese diplomat Yasuhiro Morotatsu.
In March 2022, the fifth national wrestling championship concluded in the city of Khashm al-Qirba (Kassala State). The event, first organized by the Sudanese Wrestling Federation in 2017 in Khartoum, has since become an annual gathering hosted by various states, including Gedaref, Kassala, Blue Nile, and again in Kassala in March 2022. The championship was held under the slogan, "Through Wrestling, We Strengthen Peace," with six states participating: South Kordofan, White Nile, Gedaref, Khartoum, Red Sea, and Kassala. However, West and North Kordofan, Sennar, Northern State, and Blue Nile apologised for not taking part.
International Participation
In recent years, the Sudanese national wrestling team has participated in several African and Arab championships, achieving a notable number of titles and medals. The team won two bronze medals at the African Championship in Nigeria in 2018 and five additional medals at the Arab Championship in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The team further enhanced its experience and international participation, culminating in winning 12 medals at the 2019 Arab Championship and the Ibrahim Mustafa International Tournament.
Last May marked a new breakthrough for Sudanese wrestling on the international stage. Sudanese wrestler Patricia Saif al-Din, the first female wrestler to compete in an international tournament, achieved third place and won a bronze medal in the 68 kg category at the African Championship held in Morocco, which featured participants from 34 countries.
It is worth noting that Patricia is one of many women who have joined wrestling through the Talent Discovery Project, a programme organized in partnership with the International Olympic Committee and international federations. The Wrestling Federation benefited from this initiative in 2018, with Patricia securing one of the top positions in the programme and further participated in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
A New Generation
The rise of wrestling and its appeal across all age groups has emphasized the need for institutions to nurture and train young talents of both genders. To this end, the Wrestling Federation has been organizing martial arts training sessions for boys and girls aged 7–19, aiming to develop the sport by providing the necessary skills and education.
The fifth session of the Martial Arts School Project was held before the war, targeting school students. Around 150 boys and girls from Unity National Schools (East Nile) participated. The project is implemented by the Sudanese Wrestling Federation in partnership with the International Center for Martial Arts (South Korea) and under the sponsorship of UNESCO.
The spread of wrestling and its transformation from a social and ritual activity tied to harvest celebrations in the Nuba Mountains into a widely-followed sport across Sudan showcases the value of cultural exchange. It highlights the openness of cultures to one another and the intermingling of traditions.
The video shows footage of the 2020 Nuba festival held in Khartoum, the festival included traditional dancing and traditional Nuba wrestling, a popular sports that attracts hundreds of people every week to watch. Filmed by Snoop for the Western Sudan Community Museums project
Cover picture: Every Friday, Sudanese wrestling takes place between Nubian and South Sudanese tribes in Haj Yousif © Mohammed Osman, Khartoum
