A Look at Dambe, African Style of Kickboxing

From what I have seen of the style of "Dambe", it could be called the African variation of Muay Thai kickboxing as the techniques are similar. But Dambe is a pretty important part of the Hausa people of Africa as it's given the other title of "Hausa Boxing". This style has originated from West Africa in the Sahara Desert where the Hausa reside. In the beginning, it was known as Kokawa an early mixed-martial arts style that had striking and wrestling.

But now, Dambe or Hausa Boxing is mainly striking and regarded as a form of kickboxing or a variation of Muay Thai. To be more specific, the Hausa people are the people of Nigeria. In short, Dambe can also be known as "Nigerian Kickboxing" which seems to be just as effective as Muay Thai.

Like the art of Muay Thai, Dambe tournaments were held on occasions such as a festival. In Thailand, Muay Thai tournaments are held every year in honor of the prince that founded the style over a thousand years ago. However, there is no national level of tournaments as they are held at a village level. Like other martial arts in the world, Dambe was created for use by the military.

Muay Thai was also used by the military of Thailand. That's one striking similarity between Muay Thai and Dambe. Like Muay Thai, Dambe is a very brutal style of fighting. At the same time, Dambe is a martial arts style where the tournaments are a test of family honor and family prestige. It doesn't seem that Dambe fighters have celebrity status unlike that of Muay Thai Kickboxers of Thailand.

Striking techniques were pretty different as it revolves around the mechanics of the human body. In all humans, we're usually dominant with one leg and/or fist. I myself am more dominant with my right hand and my right leg. This especially goes when I practice martial arts and I found it difficult to use my left hand. I could lift more weight with my right arm than my left arm as it's seen that my right arm happened to be more dominant.