Traditional Boxing In Nigeria (Dembe)

Competitors crouch down in a ready stance, extending their free, unwrapped hand out as far as their opponent will allow.
The idea is to test your reach, and tempt your opponent to make a move, and maybe leave himself open.

The boxers can stare at each other in this pose for what seems like minutes before striking.

Do they have life insurance or they just throw their lives to the dogs for nothing?

sounds interesting though dangerous

Chei Is there a woman at stake like in the sharro? still havent recovered from the sharro i saw.  I almost fainted. 

is there money to be won by the winner? 

Seems like a sport i'd like, it may give the UFC a run for its money. 

This is so great, i planned to promote big matches of Dambe in around Nigeria and Niger republic when i return home. I think Dambe coupled with Zabuwa or Kokowa ( wrestling) can be a huge profitable business and a way of fulfilling our cultural richness

na wa o. . .a professional fighter is supposed to look like a gentle pushover when in the ring???

I watched this thing a CNN. The juju this guys carry is nothing but heavy.
The blood they draw from their opponent is not small at all. 

so the arena urge - WWF, Gladiators, Thailand Kick boxing , Modern Boxing etal extends across all cultures

man nad his need to be entertained by gore and blood

Life insurance ke? What got me was that the wrappings they use for binding the punching fist can be dipped in a mixture of glue and broken glass (though its illegal now), and they even wrap charms inside the glove,  so if the guys jazz works well, imagine being hit by a glove, with jazz wrapped inside, then the glue n broken glass thingie, I pity the local coach who wants to take this professional, lol

I don't think it is really so dangerous

U never jam knuckle.

In South Africa we have the samething but its called "Musangweni",It is practised by Venda people in the northern part of south africa.

http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/More_Sport/0,,2-9-32_1859751,00.html
No 'Diesel' so 'Zulu' wins
08/01/2006 17:37  - (SA)   

Norman Mmbengwa

Johannesburg - This sport is not for the faint-hearted. Here, there are no rules or limits.

Musangwe (traditional, indigenous bare-knuckle fighting) is a well-known sport still practised among Vhavenda people today.

Fighters are allowed to hit with their fists and use their heads and knees to defeat their opponents. The use of muti is also permitted.

Who takes part? Males of any age, even nine year-old boys, can take up the fight.

The recreational sport is a humour-filled one and spectators and referees treat it as such.

The Musangwe event takes place in Gaba village outside Thohoyandou every December.

When we arrived to witness the grand finale the air was thick with anticipation. The locals were looking forward to seeing who would be crowned overall champion. Although Musangwe can be quite dangerous, it enjoys a big following in the area.

The open space next to the dipping tank which doubles as an arena and a ring for fighters was packed to capacity.

About 4  000 people had turned up for the finale to see if Pfarelo "Zulu" Mahadulula would successfully defend his title against challenger Eric "Diesel" Muvhali.

But it is not so much about winning as it is about proving your manhood - "Zulu" was unanimously crowned champion after "Diesel" failed to turn up for the fight.

- City Press

Other links

http://www.journeyman.tv/?lid=57630&tmpl=synopses
http://v.mcomet.com/detail/3011904/