When Nigeria moved into the Semifinals of the recently concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after a win over Angola, the victory united Nigerians across different ethnicities, religions, professions, and political party affiliations in a shared celebration of our national identity and sporting prowess. The celebrations brought to the fore the power of sports, underscoring the potential of sports to foster peace, unity, a sense of identity, and social cohesion in highly polarized societies in Africa, such as Nigeria. This should also remind us that, aside from popular games such as football, indigenous African sports and games (many of which are becoming extinct) have the same power (if not more) and should be invested in. Here is why.
Indigenous African sports represent more than mere physical activities; they embody centuries of tradition, heritage, and communal values in a continent as diverse and culturally rich as Africa. They are deeply rooted in local cultures and histories, and possess unique characteristics that make them effective instruments for social transformation. For instance, Morabaraba, also known as “The African Board Game,” is a strategy game played across several African countries, including South Africa, Lesotho, and Botswana. There is evidence that Morabaraba provides not only entertainment but also opportunities for learning, social interaction, reconciliation, and conflict resolution, as well as the promotion of peace and understanding among participants.
Traditional wrestling – such as Laamb in Senegal, Boreh in The Gambia, Kokawa in the Hausa-speaking part of Nigeria and Niger, and Evala in Togo – is popular in West Africa. In some of these places, the sport is well organized and sometimes part of national tournaments, federations, and arenas where matches bring together individuals from different villages, fostering bonds and social cohesion.
A study of traditional games of the Akamba in Eastern Kenya showed that about 23 traditional games identified “were crucial in instilling desired skills, attitudes, and values, improving fitness and health, fostering social cohesion, as sources of fun, recreation and relaxation, maintenance of group identity as well as [serving as] the medium through which the community values, traditions and culture were reinforced and preserved.”
It, therefore, becomes important for African countries to recognize the potential of these indigenous sports and games and invest in, develop, and integrate them into broader development strategies as a pathway to sustainable peace, unity, and national identity.
South Africa, for example, has long identified the value that is inherent in indigenous sports and games. In 2004, South Africa held its first National Indigenous Games in Oudtshoorn, which has been held annually since then. Among other benefits, this event has helped revive the popularity of these indigenous games, which hitherto had been relegated to the dustbin of history, thereby availing its citizens and communities the opportunity to enjoy the range of material and symbolic benefits that such indigenous games bring.
Indigenous sports and games tournaments, when they are not reduced to pecuniary considerations, provide opportunities for diverse groups to interact, exchange ideas, and bridge divides. There is, of course, a need to be intentional about promoting dialogue and understanding through these sports and games in order to ensure that they contribute to the creation of cohesive and resilient societies capable of overcoming differences in a peaceful manner – a goal which is in line with UNESCO’s initiative to protect and promote traditional games to further community spirit, bring people together, and instill a sense of pride in a society’s cultural roots.”
For Nigeria, a country grappling with ethno-religious tensions and periodic outbreaks of violence, the development of indigenous sports and games through investing in infrastructure, training programmes, and grassroots initiatives could empower local communities to revive and preserve Nigeria’s several traditional sports, which are fast fading away.
Traditional games historically played a significant role in teaching Nigerian children about their societies. In other words, incorporating these indigenous sports and games into school curricula and public events in Nigeria can promote intercultural understanding and tolerance from an early age, laying the groundwork for a more harmonious society.
Beyond Nigeria, the promotion of indigenous sports and games presents a broader opportunity for pan-African integration and solidarity. From Ethiopian Genna to Kenyan Rie to South African Nguni stick-fighting, celebrating and sharing these sports across borders can strengthen regional ties and help foster a sense of pan-African identity while promoting mutual respect and cooperation.
In sum, African nations can harness the transformative power of their indigenous sports and games to build more peaceful, resilient, and prosperous societies. In doing so, we are not only preserving our rich cultural heritage but also paving the way for a brighter and more peaceful future for the next generations.
