Beware! Bachama women can wrestle you down

Moments later, another young lady steps into the arena but carefully avoids any eye contact with the waiting lady. The former picks some sand and throws at the latter – an invitation to a wrestling duel. The latter, however, ignores the invitation and turns away completely. Around the arena, a woman named “Kpa Rekye”, who […]

Moments later, another young lady steps into the arena but carefully avoids any eye contact with the waiting lady.

The former picks some sand and throws at the latter – an invitation to a wrestling duel.

The latter, however, ignores the invitation and turns away completely. Around the arena, a woman named “Kpa Rekye”, who apparently superintends the lady contestants, wields her long whip – the “twala” – which is a handy instrument for referees of any contest.

She looks for an opponent for the anxious lady. One is eventually found and the crowd yells for action. A wrestling duel ensues. A winner emerges and the spectators again give a deafening ovation. Such is the typical scene at the “Kwete”, a wrestling fiesta for ladies amongst the Bachama people of Adamawa State.

It holds annually at the behest of the people’s monarch, well ahead of a new farming season.

Community elders say that wrestling tradition amongst the Bachamas dates back into antiquity, but the ladies’ involvement in the event is traceable to about four decades past. Its remote origin is embedded in Bachama myths and legends, part of which holds that a spirit god — “Pulla-Hasei” of the Waduku people — handed down the tradition.

The annual female wrestling contest is particularly unique, as it has elicited interest from far and near. Many see the fiesta as a healthy development for sports growth, in light of cultural and religious inhibitions to female participation in sports.

For the Bachamas, the “Kwete“ is a highly regarded event. It is so regarded and prized today that in the last festival, the champion went home with a brand new Toyota Starlet car.

Many tourists, from far and near, throng Lamurde annually to witness the female wrestling duel.

Mrs Aishatu Tukur, Adamawa’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Youth Development, was at the latest contest, which held between March 11 and 13.

She commends the Bachama people for allowing their women to showcase their sporting talents.

Tukur, who stood in for the governor’s wife at the event, says that although it is good for women to get married, marriage should, nonetheless, not debar them from contributing to sports development in the society.

According to her, marriage is an institution ordained by God, which should not be a stumbling block to women’s physical development.

Tukur describes wrestling as a good game for women, adding that religious beliefs should neither be an impediment to women’s physical development nor an instrument of discrimination.

The traditional ruler, the Hama Bachama, Homun Asaph Zadok, is a prime factor for the sustenance of the wrestling fiesta amongst the Bachama people.

He traces the origin of the female dimension to wrestling fiesta in the kingdom to the reign of Homun Wilberforce Myahwegi, about 40 years ago. He sheds light on the circumstances of its origin.

Zadok recalls that women’s involvement in the wrestling duel started when a defeated wrestler was booed and jeered at by the crowd after a male wrestling bout.

He says that this enraged the loser’s sister, who desperately sought to avenge her brother’s shame.

“She thus challenged her brother’s winner to a duel, a contest she eventually won to the astonishment of all,’’ Zadok says, adding: “Thus began the tradition of female wrestling in the kingdom.’’

For the Bachama people of Lamurde and  Gyawana, that historic and singular incident led to the “Kwete“ fiesta, although it is not now a match of opposite sexes. Their wrestling festival now holds in the male and female categories. The monarch explains further that the “Kwete“ showcases Bachama women’s physical prowess, just as it is a cultural celebration of sorts.

The “Kwete“ wrestling fiesta today receives support from corporate organisations, including a mobile communications giant , MTN, whose Marketing Manager for the North East zone, Mr Shehu Abubakar, praises the Bachamas for sustaining it. “We are proud to be associated with “Kwete“ because one of MTN’s goals is to be part of a people’s experiences and make such experiences pleasurable and exciting,” he says.

“Bachama people are well known for their bravery. The feat of their women at wrestling is outstanding. This is not common in our society,” he adds.

Veteran actor and producer Zack Orji, who would be observing the festival for the third time this year, says that “the Bachamas are a unique people who demonstrate not only strength but strong character and morals’’.

He says that he will see how the Nigerian movie industry could develop the fiesta further by x-raying its tourism potential.

Orji believes that wrestling is like any other sport, stressing that “it is a part of our fulfillment as humans.

 “As long as a person exhibits certain abilities and skills, whether the person is a woman or man, that person should be given the opportunity to use them,’’ he says.

Eighteen-year-old Tafisu Sambo, a second-year student of the Villanova Senior Secondary School, Numan, emerged winner of this year’s female wrestling duel. She took home the latest model of a brand new Toyota Starlet car.

She praises the Hama Bachama, Homun Zadok, for the sustenance of the “Kwete”, while also giving glory to God for giving her the strength to win the contest.

“The secret of my success is God and my determination to succeed in life through education. I advise young girls to go to school because education is the key to every woman’s success,’’ Sambo says.

The “Kwete“ wrestling fiesta has other side attractions such as the Scrabble competition.

Mr Jighere Wellington, a student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and a citizen of Delta State, emerged winner in the Masters Category of this year’s Scrabble competition and carted away a brand new Kia (Rio) car as his prize.

“Bachamas are nice people who have an excellent culture that does not discriminate. If all monarchs would encourage people through the organisation of such competitions, as Homun Zadok does, our society will move forward,’’ Wellington says.

Celebrated in March of every year, the “Kwete“ wrestling fiesta also has a spiritual significance.

As part of the fiesta, certain rites are carried out by the Hama Bachama to ensure a good harvest at the end of the current farming season. Sacrifices are offered to “Homonpwa ka Puledan’’, a vegetarian god revered amongst the Bachamas, during the wrestling fiesta.

Through such religious rites, the people believe that the god will ensure bountiful harvest, while guaranteeing the well-being of the community. NAN