Senegalese Lutte — Wrestler Sand Portrait
58.72 د.ك
A Senegalese traditional wrestler in full pre-bout ceremony — amulet-decorated body, white sand of the wrestling arena adhering to his skin, the gris-gris leather charms tied to his arms and waist in the traditional preparation.
Description
Senegalese lutte is the national sport — a form of traditional wrestling combining throws and ground techniques with elaborate spiritual preparation involving marabout-prescribed amulets and gris-gris charms worn on the body to provide protection and strength. This portrait was made at the Arène nationale de lutte in Dakar during a championship card, in the preparation area where wrestlers undergo their ceremonial preparation before entering the sand arena. The subject — a heavyweight champion from the Thiès region — is in the post-preparation moment when the white arena sand has been applied to his body over the protective amulets. The gris-gris leather packets are tied in prescribed positions: both upper arms, waist, and ankles. Shot on a 50mm prime at f/2.8, the subject’s size and decorated body fill the frame.
