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.

The name given to this sport (in Northern Nigeria at least) is Dembe.

The men who dedicate their lives to it are wanderers, itinerant labourers in search of fame, or the sons of boxers - born into the ring.

"Dembe", as it is called in Hausa, is exceedingly dangerous. Serious injury, and even death, are a real risk.









One of the few rules in Dembe is that if your fist wrapping comes off, you must stop and re-do it, but not all boxers are so disciplined.

All competitors belong to one of two clans that travel from competition to competition fighting each other over and over again.

Images courtesy of BBC.

"Dembe", as it is called in Hausa, is exceedingly dangerous. Serious injury, and even death, are a real risk.

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

hmm . . .thot it was only thais that were into blood sports - so fight club dey naija as well

sounds interesting though dangerous

In Hausa it is called DAMBE and it such an awful sight.

I bet you, you will puke your guts out the first time you sit through one.

Watch Video

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWF_ARr91bs&hl=en&fs=1[/flash]

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?

The faces look evil.
Do they fight to kill?

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

Raymond88:

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

lol now this is the real human cock fighting. lmao@the idiots using charms

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

This could turn out to be a big sport if the contestants can be provided with protective gear and also carried out in a proper arena. Gladiators i would say.

**osisi:

The faces look evil.
Do they fight to kill?

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

I hope this does not end up taking us some steps back to the stone age. Its good but it sort of looks a bit barbaric. Its soo aggressive! our strengths should be channeled into constructive and productive actions and activities abeg. The formal boxing as a sport demands boxing for points but this one, from my understanding, guys box to DOWN the other fellow. Abi no be soo?

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.

Mehnnnnnn! This ain't no small thing o!

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

what,what was that? no now,even ultimate fighter no reach that one.I am sure most of those guy don't have life insurance oo.

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 fink if it gets well publicized, then health bodies and other humanity-related bodies will show disapprovement

these guys get mind, chai!!!

I don't think it is really so dangerous

I don't think it is really so dangerous

U never jam knuckle.

if u don chop correct punch b4, u go understand the implication of constant barrages of correct punches possibly mixed with glue and glass as stated

at least, they gat a ref sha

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/

That's not the same thing.

My brother Omo this will be fun