Fighting it out with Adamawa’s female wrestlers
Though there were bumpy roads which look as though neglected for many years, people could be seen trooping in for an audience, with not only the paramount Bachama ruler, but specifically to witness the much-talked-about female wrestling fiesta. Other people could also be seen waiting under a makeshift structure close to the monarch’s seat. At […]
Though there were bumpy roads which look as though neglected for many years, people could be seen trooping in for an audience, with not only the paramount Bachama ruler, but specifically to witness the much-talked-about female wrestling fiesta. Other people could also be seen waiting under a makeshift structure close to the monarch’s seat. At the entrance, one has to remove his shoes as a mark of respect to the royal father. On the other side, one can see a queue of stoutly built young ladies, who have just entered the arena. Shouts of excitement rent the air. The ladies, in their mid 20s, squat and wait anxiously for opponents.
Kwete, celebrated in March of every year, has a spiritual significance. As part of the fiesta, certain rites are said to be observed 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 Bachama during the wrestling fiesta. Through such religious rites, the people believe that the deity will ensure a bountiful harvest.
Some minutes later, another young, well-built lady from the opponent’s camp, steps into the arena, but carefully avoids any eye contact with the other waiting ladies in the field. This lady picks some sand and throws to her opponent in the other camp, an invitation to a wrestling match. Inside the field, a woman calls “Kpa Rekye”, who apparently superintends the lady contestants, wields her long whip – the “Twala” – which is a handy instrument for referees.
Every contestant looks for an opponent, and eventually finds one, and the crowd yells for action. Some minutes later the wrestling duel ensues. After hours of struggling and wrestling, winners emerge and spectators again give out deafening ovation.
Such was the typical scene last Saturday at the “Kwete” wrestling fiesta for ladies. This event holds annually at the behest of the people’s monarch, to usher a new farming season. The paramount Bachama monarch told Weekly Trust that the wrestling tradition amongst the Bachama dates back some 300 years, but the ladies’ participation 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,” Homun Asaph Zadok has said.
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 douse her brother’s shame. “She thus challenged her brother’s winner to a duel, a contest she eventually won to the astonishment of all, thus beginning the tradition of female wrestling in the kingdom.”
Also in her words, her Majesty Mbanto Josephine Zadok, the Chairperson of the Contest’s Organising Committee, said that the competition was designed to empower women through sporting activities. “The tournament is to encourage young female athletes and the men to develop their talents, as well as promote unity among the people of the Bachama community,” she said.
Zadok, who is the wife of the Bachama traditional ruler, said the wrestling competition was a veritable poverty-eradication tool, as it provided a means of livelihood for women of the community. “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,” said Pwaneno, a retired female wrestler. “Bachama people are well-known for their bravery. The feat of their women at wrestling is outstanding,” she added.
The “Kwete” wrestling fiesta continued to receive encomia from royal fathers, technocrats, civil servants and even politicians, including Mai Tangale, Hamma Batta and Alhamdu Teneke. They all praised the Bachama for sustaining their cultural heritages. Also commenting, Alhaji Ibrahim Khaleel, National President of NULGE who was just turbaned as Garkuwan Bachama noted that “the Bachamas are a unique people who demonstrate not only strength, but strong character and morals.”
In his vote of thanks, the chairman local organizing committee, Nzeanzo Bachama Mr. Crowther Seth said, “Bachamas are nice people who have an excellent culture that does not discriminate. If all monarchs would encourage people through the organization of such competitions, as Homun Zadok does, our society will move forward.” He noted that learning and capturing the culture and lifestyles of other tribes in the country could enhance national cohesion. On featuring of female wrestling in this year’s edition of the Kwete Traditional Wrestling Festival, Mr. Seth who was also the state Commissioner for Commerce said it was not strange because Bachama people are known for their courage and strength.
The fiesta has other side attractions, such as a Scrabble competition and homage by community and youths leaders. Cars, two motor-cycles, a television set and cash were won by traditional wrestlers and singers. In their separate remarks, some winners explained that, the secret of their success is God and 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,” a winner said. She added: “I will use my car to enjoy my strength and wrestling skills.”