South Sudan wrestling: Bor 6—5 Mundari
November 27, 2010 (BOR)—A traditional wrestling team from Bor county beat Mundari’s team in South Sudan’s capital Juba, 6—5 in a game sponsored by South Sudan Wrestling Entertainment (SSWE), a privately owned body.
The organizers hope that the sport between the cattle herding groups will change the aggressive behavior that they sometimes show to each other.
“It is so entertaining and our thinking would keep our brothers at cattle camps busy till [January, 2011 Southern Sudan] referendum,” Kur Akech, a member of SSWE told Sudan Tribune by phone from Juba.
South Sudan traditional wrestling is predominantly practice in Dinka Bor of Jonglei state as well as Aliap and Atuot of Awerial and Yirol counties of Lakes state respectively. The Mundari tribe in Teregeka county of Central Equarotia state also wrestles. The tribes all keep cattle and occasional raid other.
Bor’s victory on Saturday follows their comprehensive 11-0 win (4 draws) over Twic county on October 30. With the victories in close proximity to the south’s self determination plebiscite in January the Bor wrestlers have been named the ‘Referendum Stars’ by local fans.
Southern wrestling is traditionally between youths from rival tribes in cattle camps, but organizers, the SSWE aim to professionalize southern wrestling and move it beyond “social pride and fame.”
Teams from Atuot and Aliap in Lakes state are due to face each and later meet both Mundari and Bor wrestling teams before the finals on 18 December finals in Juba, SSWE told Sudan Tribune.
Winners will receive prize money of 10,000 Sudanese Pounds (SDG) with runners up getting 5,000 SDG. All wrestlers that compete will automatically receive 1,000 SDG.
(ST)