AdvertisementAn Ethiopian tribe's tradition of taking part in a ceremonial duel where men beat each other with sticks in order to win a bride has been captured on camera. The often violent and bloody display among the self-sufficient Suri people in the south of the African nation serves as a rite of passage for young men. The winner is conferred great prestige and the 'Donga' fights are often very competitive, occasionally leading to severe injury and death, with battle scars worn as a mark of pride. As well as proving themselves to the women, the fights are designed to trained the young men for future violence in the turbulent region. A referee is in place during the stick fights but it remains a dangerous sport, particularly since the tribespeople seized guns in recent years, which are occasionally fired from the sidelines.

Source: Ethiopian News January 08, 2021 13:19 UTC