the butchers' guild game

It is a chance to be a hero and to put some money in the pockets in a place where poverty is brutal. Dambe is an ancient martial art, practiced by the Hausa tribe in northern Nigeria for centuries, here in Kano. Historically, the sport was closely tied to butchers, as it served as a rite of passage into manhood and was also incorporated into religious ceremonies and festivals. The punching hand is tied with rope, while the weaker hand acts as a shield. The aim is to knock your opponent down. Some years ago, pieces of glass were woven in with the rope to ensure maximum damage - that is now banned, the fight is brutal though. Each boxer undergoes an elaborate fortification ritual. They wear charms around their neck, mix leaves with their blood and many of them take drugs prior to the fight. A win, and they may be OK for a while. But a loss could mean being without money for weeks.