Dambe: Thrills of Hausa local boxing

The local Hausa  boxing (Dambe) spot  located at Mararaba-Guruku, Nasarawa State and parts of  neighbouring (FCT), Abuja, has, to some extent, become a side ‘attraction’ where both  old and young troop  in   large numbers to watch matches. It is said that there’s not much difference between the Western style of boxing and Dambe, as […]

The local Hausa  boxing (Dambe) spot  located at Mararaba-Guruku, Nasarawa State and parts of  neighbouring (FCT), Abuja, has, to some extent, become a side ‘attraction’ where both  old and young troop  in   large numbers to watch matches. It is said that there’s not much difference between the Western style of boxing and Dambe, as the local Hausa boxing is popularly called. 

Local praise singers are always on ground to add colour to every traditional boxing event. These local praise singers are made up of two groups who support their respective boxers, usually aged between 17 and 30 years. The supporting groups are divided between what they call the North (Arewa) and the South (Kudu). 

These praise singers, with their local drums, are the first to arrive at the venue of the boxing, where they position themselves to entertain notable personalities who come to watch the match. They are known sing praises for money. 

During one of the boxing matches, our reporter observed that as the two praise singers performed from both sides, one of the boxers moved to display his prowess and skills. The drummer suddenly changed the tone of his beat, which in the process attracted the attention of the crowd and supporters, who in turn sprayed money on the praise singers on both sides. 

Some of the boxers, who are usually youths, wear charms around their waists and hands while going for a match. 

In few moments, one boxer from the South (Kudu) expressed readiness to fight and his opponent from the North (Arewa) responded immediately. They entered the boxing arena and engaged themselves while a man who stood as a referee walked round the pitch as the boxers throw hot punches.  

As the fight raged and supporters’ voices increased, one of the boxers from Gbangaren-Arewa, simply identified as Abdullahi and popularly known as Maye (which means a witch in Hausa), knocked down his opponent known as Hussainin and popularly called Shagon Panteka. Hussaini was knocked down with a decisive blow.  Following the defeat of Shagon Panteka, a 13-year-old boy suddenly emerged from the other camp, Gbangaren-Kudu, to challenge a 22-year-old Musa Yan-Daba. It was fun as Yan-Daba was also knocked down by the 13-year-old boxer.

Supporters from the other side burst into jubilation as some spectators rushed to spray money on the little boxer while praise singers from the Gbangaren-Kudu also sang his praise. Female onlookers clapped to the admiration of the crowd.

Speaking to our reporter, the referee and boxing coordinator, who doubles as the master of ceremony of the event, Mohammed Kabiru, also known as Barrister Ajilo, explained the process of selecting a winner. According to him, a winner always emerges when a boxer from the other camp knocks down his opponent. He said such winner usually attracted a cash prize from his supporters.

Kabiru noted that Dambe, which takes place every Saturday and Sunday, was part of the Hausa culture that brings the youth together to display their strengths and skills. “As you can see, they operate according to their ages. However, the under-aged boys who participate in the exercise mostly spring surprises when they engage their seniors,’’ he said. According to him, the under-aged boys who participate in the exercise are attracted by the money they could get while fighting. That is their source of courage and strength, he said, adding that boxing is not all about strength alone, but also the use of tactics.                  

Aliyu Bashir, 18, drew the attention of the mammoth crowd when he knocked down Yahaya from the Gbangeren-Kudu. His supporters rushed to the boxing arena and lifted him up in admiration. Speaking with our reporter, Bashir said his close friend, Nasiru, who has participated in local boxing for several years, encouraged him to join. He, however, said his desire was to go to school. “My dream was to go to school, but since my father died after he divorced my mother, things have not been going well. I stayed with my elder brother here in Masaka before I met my friend, Nasiru. I always went with him to watch boxing. That was how I began to participate in boxing matches,’’ he said.  

A 42-year-old Kabiru Garba, also known as Janwuya, is a former local boxer. Speaking with our reporter, Garba said he suddenly retired from boxing a year ago after more than 10 years of action. He said there was a lot of fun in boxing, adding that just like the English version of the sport, local boxing always attracts a huge crowd. He said the local boxing had taken the attention of several Hausa youths off social vices. He further said he had won several prizes/awards in Katsina, his home state. 

“You see, some people tend to look at those who engage in local boxing as touts who don’t have anything to do. But this is not true. Local boxing is interesting; that is why women and girls come here to watch. It contains a lot of fun,’’ he said.

One of the female spectators, Zainab Abdullahi, said she had been an ardent follower of local boxing for over two years, adding that she was attracted to the sport by the show of strength and courage between opponents from different camps. “This local boxing is very attractive and entertaining, just like the normal boxing we watch on television. That is why I cannot afford to miss it, especially during the weekends,’’ she said. 

The owner of the centre where the local boxing always takes place, Mallam Idris Umar, popularly known as Banbarewa, told our reporter that he had never participated in the sport, but had watched it for nearly 20 years. According to him, it was his interest in the sport that prompted him to set up the centre 12 years ago.

He said he collected between N100 and N200 as gate fee from each person that comes to watch the match, adding that part of the money he realizes goes to those who participate in the exercise.     

 “I have the names of boxers whom I normally give a token. I also give some of them substantial money to visit their families and buy things for them at the end of every two or three months,’’ he said, adding that he gives the under-aged boxers money on a daily basis. He further said the under-aged boys usually undergo training in the area.

Idris said he registered with the Department of Social Welfare of the Karu Local Government, Nasarawa State, and appealed to the state government to support the centre so that they could win trophies in future competitions.