December 2023 The National Sabre Traditional wrestling is the sport most followed by Nigeriens of all ages. It’s a sporting practice whose origins go back into the mists of time, organized at the end of the harvest or to celebrate the rainy season. It was institutionalized in 1975 and has since become Niger’s king sport. A championship is organized each year, in turn, in the eight regional capitals.
Traditional wrestling, over and above the unrivalled sporting and folkloric spectacle it offers, is a factor of social cohesion and a framework for cultural and physical expression, accompanied by the rites, beliefs, music and oral poetry of the communities. This event not only creates a festive atmosphere in the town hosting it, but also attracts the attention of all Nigeriens, who follow the fighting passionately through the media and social networks. It is also followed by the international diaspora via satellite TV. In the arena, the happiest and luckiest spectators watch the fights live before their very eyes. Other fans of the king of sports follow the competitions in even the most remote towns, their ears glued to the transistor to listen to the talented sports columnists or their eyes glued to the TV screen so as not to miss any of the fights.
Competitions start by team, with one wrestler drawn at random facing one of the opposing team. As they enter the arena, the two wrestlers called upon to fight sketch out dance steps to the rhythm of the “Ganga” tamtam and lyrical songs praising their prowess. Then they perform a few mystical gestures, uttering magical words, flexing their muscles to intimidate their opponents, before engaging in combat to the shrill sound of the referee’s whistle. They compete in ardor, flexibility, feints and attacks under the watchful eye of the referee, until one of the protagonists falls. At the end of each fight, spectators, viewers and listeners rejoice and exult vehemently, like a shockwave through the whole of Niger, to express their joy, while the winner, in a spirit of sportsmanship, gently lifts up his opponent and gently shakes him to console him. Then these two wrestlers (winner and loser), side by side, sometimes even hand in hand, go around the arena to receive congratulations and gifts in cash and kind from their fans, while two other wrestlers who will be repeating the same merry-go-round enter the stage.
The wrestler who remains undefeated after all bouts over the ten (10) days of the competition is awarded the “Sabre National”, the supreme trophy coveted by all. In addition, the champion receives large sums of money, numerous gifts and a warm welcome back to his home region.
In Niger, no other sporting event can mobilize as many people as the Sabre National. That’s why
this nationally-attended competition provides an opportunity for all
institutions, companies and organizations to raise their profile, promote their products or services and reaffirm their commitment to the people of Niger.
SOMIDA is seizing the opportunity offered by the 44th edition of the Sabre National, to be held this year from December 22 to 31, to raise its profile and reaffirm its commitment to local communities, and beyond that to present the concrete benefits of its presence in Niger for the State and the people of the country.
Written by Alhassan Djibril SOMIDA Communication and Community Relations Manager.
