Dambe: The Warriors of Nigeria

Dambe, the traditional combat sport of the Hausa people, has grown in popularity on the internet these past couple of years. 

Put into the spotlight by both the UFC and BBC, you may still be wondering what exactly is Dambe?

The Rules:

- The dominant hand is wrapped, almost resembling a club. This is the 'spear'

- The non-dominant hand focuses on defence and cannot strike. This is the 'shield'

- There are three rounds, however they have no time limit. A round finishes after a long period of inactivity, a fighter's 'spear' is unwrapping, or a fighter breaks their stance

- No weight classes

- For an opponent to lose, any body part (not counting feet) must touch the ground

It is important to recognise that there is no central governing body for the sport, so these rules are not universal. The rules described here are a combination of several different sources, and for the most part are the general standard.

It is clear from these rules alone that the sport of Dambe, as it can be seen now on youtube channels such as Dambe Warriors, is a brutal sport, obsessed with constant action and knockdowns. 

The History and Culture of Dambe:

Image taken from https://terezowens.com

Dambe is a martial art centralised in Nigeria, often credited to the Hausa people. The Hausa people are the largest ethnic group in Sub-Saharan Africa, with almost 80 million within both Nigeria and Niger.

Historically, the martial art emerged among the lower classes of the Hausa people, however soon became a way for soldiers to practice military skills. 

The stance of a Dambe fighter is wide, allowing them to generate a lot of power with their one striking hand. It is made to mimic the use of a shield and spear. 

The one striking hand is referred to as the spear, and the fighter's non-dominant hand (the shield) is purely for defence.

In Modern times, Dambe to the Hausa people is akin to the UFC. Those who succeed and love the sport find great success, such as land or livestock.

And with its growing popularity, covered by news outlets such as the BBC, the people behind the popular promotion Dambe Warriors are aiming for global recognition.

A constant stream of content, as well as recognisable and entertaining fighters headlining their own events, make it a perfect sport for a short weekly watch.

Online Criticism:

Due to the perceived 'barbaric' nature of the sport, and I use that term loosely, many people criticise it as nothing more than senseless violence.

The truth, however, is that Dambe is much like Sumo, Muay Thai, and even Boxing. It is steeped in history and tradition, and through the power of the internet, is being recognised by martial art behemoths like the UFC. 

One criticism many fight fans have is that there seems to be little to no technique. However, to a trained eye, a similar strong overhand right can be seen used by MMA fighters such as the current UFC Heavyweight Champion, Francis Ngannou. 

Defensively, the shielding and parrying of the left hand allows fighters to defend themselves without compromising their stance. Dambe fighters fight on uneven soil, making it easier for them to fall if their stance is too narrow.

Conclusion:

Dambe is a sport that is made for the modern era, despite being so heavily steeped in Hausa history and culture.

It is fast paced, always demanding action, making it a perfect ten minute watch. Understanding of sports and martial arts like this, whether Sumo, Silat, or Lethwei, has to come from a willingness to see past Western sporting influences. That way, everyone can enjoy something unusual, new, and exciting.

If after reading this you're interested in watching some fights, here are some of the most popular videos on the Dambe Warriors channel: