This video shows the Njom traditional wrestling ceremony from the Serer village of Sandicoly in Senegal.

Njom wrestling ceremonies include many rituals in dance, song, music and magic that are at the heart of Serer culture. In fact the word Njom actually comes from the Serer word for heart.

One important cultural display during the Njom ceremonies are the dances performed by the wrestlers prior to combat. The wrestlers dance with such strength that they make the earth shake and tremble as if they were dancing baobab trees.