The Documentary Podcast Mud wrestling and tent pegging: Africa’s unusual sports
Aug 23, 2025
In this insightful discussion, guests Kelvin Kimathi, a Nairobi-based BBC journalist covering Uganda’s rising mud wrestling, Eshlin Vedan, who highlights the only black teenager competing in South Africa's tent pegging, and Marcia Veiga, who connects with her Angolan roots through Capoeira Angola, explore Africa’s lesser-known sports. They reveal how these unique activities not only entertain but also reinforce cultural heritage and community ties, shedding light on the athletes' dedication and the cultural significance behind each sport.
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Mud-Based Wrestling Born From Fan Culture
- Kelvin Kimathi watched Uganda's soft ground wrestling where performers fight in sticky mud with bamboo posts instead of a standard ring.
- He describes it as choreographed, risky, and requiring eight months of training because injuries are common.
Young Lives Shaped By The Ring
- Kelvin Kimathi met young wrestlers, many under 25, often school dropouts or raised by single parents using wrestling as a livelihood.
- He highlights Zampi, a woman who fights men and has become a popular star after finding the sport on TikTok.
Commentator Turned Promoter
- Daniel Bumbash transformed from translating WWE clips into local dialects to founding the soft ground wrestling academy.
- He began by charging crowds to watch his live commentaries and then recruited wrestlers, growing the movement to over 180 wrestlers.