The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
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Jan 2015 back issue
by Lasse Burell
During the day, the Senegalese beaches are pretty desolate; maybe an occasional tourist, a few fisherman or some
children playing. But in the late afternoon, it slowly changes. After finishingwork, young guys head to the beach to train
in Lutte, the local wrestling sport.
Lutte Sénégalaise or Laamb as it is called in Wolof, the local language, is by far the biggest sport in Senegal. The
national games take place at stadiums with large audiences, and the athletes on that level can earn great sums of
money. All over the country, young guys train hard every morning and evening, hoping to become successful in the
sport.
The first time I got in touch with the sport, was by accident. I met a bunch of guys who wrestled on the beach. I began
photographing them and was immediately infected by their enthusiasm. Soon, I was lying in their midst with my camera
taking pictures - sandy and happy.
A year later I made contact with a local wrestling club in Mbour, a small fishing village a few hours south of Dakar. I was
invited to spend time with them on their daily training. The club’s big star, Pakala, would soon participate in a national
competition, which engaged and inspired everyone in the club to train harder.
This picture story is very much a tribute to sport and play. When I photographed it I was inspired by the movements
and the brutal power of the sport, but on the other hand, also by the tenderness between the fighters. It has become a
story of intense exercise, play and about young boys’ hopes.
The pictures were taken in Mbour, Senegal in 2012 during training, wrestling and competitions.
The book La Lutte is now published on Kehrer Verlag, Heidelberg (December 2014).
The exhibition La Lutte is currently on show (December 2014 – January 2015) in Galleri RALF, Hornsgatan 66 in
Stockholm.
The new book La Lutte is available now
