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Title [Africa] Ghanaian wrestling

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    652
  • Date
    22-12-2020
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Name Ghanaian wrestling
Alternative Names Mbe’ere Traditional Wrestling
Origin Ghana
Main Techniques Grappling
Weapons N/A
Purpose of Practice Martial Games
Type of Origination Transmitted
Degree of Sportification National
Yes (Year: )      No
General Information Mbe’ere or Ghanaian wrestling is a traditional grappling form in Ghana. The techniques include grabbing, pulling, lifting, throwing and locking the opponent’s limbs. The fights can be violent, the only forbidden moves are grabbing the genitals, strangling and biting.Fights usually last until one of the wrestlers is floored. There is no formal ranking system, winners are rewarded with respect from their peers and the elders.
History/Development According to the Ghana Wrestling Association (established in 2010) Mbe’ere wrestling originated among the young shepherds of the Gurune people of the Upper East Region of Ghana who are traditionally farmers and shepherds. On the grazing fields the shepherd boys would engage in wrestling as a way to decide roles and devide their food.When vaccinations for cattle were introduced, the different clans would gather their herds and move to the vaccination center.Vaccinating could take up to a few days so shepherds organised wrestling matches between clans. Later wrestling became more popular in the different communities and inter-communal wrestling for social entertainment was born. Nowadays Mbe’ere is still practiced in many traditional Gurune communities purely for entertainment but the inter-community competitions have become rare.
Transmission
(Policies/institutions)
The Ghanaian Wrestling Association promotes and regulates wrestling. It established regional associations for the purposes of training wrestlers, organizing tournaments, regulating and supervising the practice of wrestling and organizes tournaments to promote wrestling among the local communities.
Relevant Organisations - Ghana Wrestling Association (GHAWA)
Additional Materials
References - Ghana Wrestling Association