South Sudan's traditional wrestler Alijok Nhial (R) from Yirol reaches out to Majolot Mayom Macher from Terekeka as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir Bol
South Sudanese wrestler Kur Bol Jok strode into the arena, his chest - smeared with ashes and dust - puffed out as he faced his opponent, bracing for the fight.
Wrestling is a hugely popular sport in the world's youngest nation which has been devastated by five years of civil war. Athletes say it is one of the few outlets where ethnic groups who have fought each other can engage in friendly competition.
South Sudan's traditional wrestler Ladu Makur from Terekeka tackles Machiek Chok from Yirol as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir Bol
“Wrestling brings peace as different people come from different places to meet and create friendship," Jok told Reuters before the match, a white plastic crucifix around his neck. "Winning brings joy and losing is normal because it is not a real fight.”
Matches draw huge crowds across the country and carried on sporadically during the conflict.
Some wrestlers, from pastoral communities where cows play a critical role in livelihoods and culture, smear their faces and chests with white ash from fires of cow dung. Bright animal print cloth, slashed into ribbons, dangles over their shorts.
South Sudan's supporters from Yirol cheer wrestlers as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir Bol
Jok, dressed for combat in leopard-print, strained as he grappled with opponent Mar Jalot before flipping him over in the red dust and putting his hand on Jalot's chest to signify victory. There's no hard feelings.
"We came here for peace with all the tribes gathered to witness the game," said Jalot, whose outfit was decorated with cow-print cloth.
The carnival atmosphere, where wrestlers break out in dances to celebrate victories and women chant the names of the victorious athletes, is a welcome respite from the hardships of daily life.
South Sudan's traditional wrestler Alijok Nhial is escorted before competing in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir Bol
Conflict and corruption have destroyed the oil-producing East African nation. It won independence from neighbouring Sudan in 2011 after decades of scorched-earth warfare.
Then civil war broke out two years later, killing an estimated 400,000 people before the warring sides signed a peace deal in 2018. On Saturday, the president and former rebel leader formed a long-delayed unity government.
The civil war forced a third of the population to flee their homes; many have not returned. Last year's unusually heavy rains brought widespread flooding, and the currency fell off a cliff during the war. More than 5 million people need food aid, according to the United Nations.
South Sudan's traditional wrestlers Dengic Parrach from Yirol and Ekuach Ladu from Terekeka dressed in a leopard skin as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir Bol
Sports is one of the few distractions: in a nation with few roads, little electricity and where most schools don't function. Most importantly, it unites young people divided by war, said wrestling coordinator Limor Joseph.
"It is ... the games that brings them together," he said.
South Sudan's traditional wrestler Alijok Nhial (L) from Yirol engages Majolot Mayom Macher from Terekeka as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir Bol
(Writing by Maggie Fick and Katharine Houreld; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
South Sudan's traditional wrestler Ladu Makur from Terekeka tackles Machiek Chok from Yirol as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir BolSouth Sudan's traditional wrestler Awuolic Ajuong from Yirol is tackled by Lokule Malou from Terekeka as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir BolSouth Sudan's traditional wrestlers Awuolic Ajuong from Yirol is tackled by Lokule Malou from Terekeka as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir BolSouth Sudan's traditional wrestler Dengic Parrach (R) from Yirol is tackled by Ekuach Ladu from Terekeka dressed in a leopard skin as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir BolSouth Sudan's traditional wrestlers Ladu Makur from Terekeka tackles Machiek Chok from Yirol as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir BolSouth Sudan's traditional wrestler Alijok Nhial from Yirol tackles Mayom Macher from Terekeka as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir BolSouth Sudan's traditional wrestlers Awuolic Ajuong (down) from Yirol is tackled by Lokule Malou from Terekeka as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir BolSouth Sudan's traditional wrestler Awuolic Ajuong from Yirol is tackled by Lokule Malou from Terekeka as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir BolSouth Sudan's traditional wrestlers Dengic Parrach from Yirol tackles Ekuach Ladu from Terekeka dressed in a leopard skin as they compete in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir BolSouth Sudan's traditional wrestler Ladu Makur from Terekeka waves to his fans after competing in a peace match during national championships in Juba, South Sudan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Samir Bol
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