The Wrestling Champion

Finally, the D-day is here! Almost all the huts in Umudibia are empty as the whole village is gathered around at the village center. They had formed a huge circle at one end of the Ilo, leaving the center, which had been filled with sand-free. This part of the Ilo is the traditional ring where the wrestling match will be taking place. The sand-filled area cushions the wrestlers' falls to minimize injuries.

All those who sit above the salt; the king and the Ozo titled men were all there to see for themselves who will emerge as the new Dimgba. The elders and grandees sat on their own stools brought there by their young sons. Every other person was standing, except those who had come early enough to secure places on the few stands which had been built by placing smoothened logs on forked pillars. The playground was full of supporters; they were all roaring with excitement as they clapped, cheered and encouraged the wrestlers.

The men wore loincloths that were wrapped around their waist passing between their legs and was fastened at their backs. This type of clothing was appropriate for the intense heat as well as the jobs they did. Married women tied long wrappers that flowed past their knees while the younger single ones tied theirs to end just above their knees with colorful jigida around their waists; pieces of the same wrapper is tied on their young breasts and is fastened behind.

Mothers tell their daughters from day one not to allow any man to touch those beads around their waist unless they were married. Beautiful patterns and lines were drawn with Uli on their faces, chests, and legs. These drawings on their faces symbolize beauty, while the ones on their chests symbolize fertility and those on their legs, strength.

There were drummers also present at the arena. They too sat just in front of the huge circle of spectators, facing the elders. There were seven drums in all and they were arranged in a long wooden basket according to their sizes. Three men beat them with sticks, working feverishly from one drum to the other. The village great flute player was also present to provide special tunes and melody that stirs the soul, this is believed to give added strength to the wrestlers and contribute to their dance-like movement in the ring. You can't be in a wrestling contest like this one and not nod your head.

Once in a while, about two young men carrying fresh palm fronds would run around the circle as they kept the crowd back by beating the ground in front of them or if they were stubborn their legs and feet. This is to prevent them from encroaching into the ring.

Wrestling is sometimes used to settle local dispute and conflict between two villages. It is also used to choose a groom for a maiden who has so many suitors; the victor wins the hands of the maiden. But today's wrestling match, which Nnanna is one of the wrestlers, is done every year to determine the strongest man in the village and to mark the end of the new yam festival. It is organized and arranged by an elder appointed by the king. The wrestlers had to train and practice for months before the contest begin. It is open for anyone that calls himself a man. There is usually a prize of a fair maiden as a wife, food items, parcels of land, and livestock for whoever emerges as the champion.

There are two teams of six men each. The two teams faced each other across the arena. A young man from one team would dance to the other side and challenge whoever he wants to fight. They dance back to the center together and then circle each other. They then close in and begin to fight. Two judges walk around the wrestlers and if they decide that the wrestlers are equally matched, stops them and rules the fight a tie. But the real excitement comes when a man is thrown. The explosion of sounds from the crowd reaches the sky and is even heard in the surrounding villages, as they cheer the winner.

The last match was between the team leaders; Nnanna, the son of Mazi Okoro and Mezue. Nnanna had a great body and an adventurous personality. His lips were pale and thin, his nose broad indicating he was a tropical Igbo man. He had a prominent jaw, curved gracefully round and the strength of his neck showed in the twinning cords of muscles that shaped his entire body. He had strong arms, bold thighs and calves, a firm chest and abdomen with no hairs on it. His hairs dark, short and strong; with his complexion same colour as his hairs with smooth flawless skin. Muscles rippled across every part of his body. It was obvious he was a seasoned wrestler.

Yet he was no match for Mezue his opponent, who had been the running champion for three years. His back has never touched the ground. For you to be the leader of a team, you have to have defeated everyone on the team in previous matches and training.

All odds seem to be against Nnanna on this fateful day. His opponent was far more experienced, stronger, bigger and more aggressive; although village wrestling like this one was ninety percent mental power and just ten percent physical strength, so a big body and muscles do not always guarantee a win. You mostly need mental power, speed, stamina, and endurance which Nnanna had to his advantage.

Nnanna held out his right hand. Mezue seized it, and they closed in. It was going to be a fierce contest, one that the whole of Umudibia would not forget easily. The wrestlers were now almost still in each other's grip; muscles twisting, sweat glistering, loincloths flying and clouds of dust everywhere; it seemed the judges would have to intervene. Mezue, in a desperate attempt to retain his throne of glory, went down quickly on one knee in an attempt to fling his opponent backwards over his head. It was a sad miscalculation. Quick as the lightning of Amadiora, Nnanna raised his right leg and swung it towards his rival's head, pushing him backwards and unbalancing him! The crowd burst into a thunderous roar. Mezue was toppled and he landed on his back flat on the ground.