Evala wrestling

Evala is the name of a ritual of the residents of the northern people of Togo Kabiye and a traditional form of wrestling that is practiced in this context of the Kabiye.

Cultural Significance

The Evala hard takes place annually in July and lasts several days. For the Kabiye this is an important social event, which attracts thousands of visitors every day and is regularly visited by high-ranking politicians. The wrestling matches are part of the initiation ritual of young men into adults within this ritual represents Evala the penultimate element represents the discharged wrestling representing the fight for fame and glory to the family name dar. In the present stations live the young men separated from their parents and prepare at first through mental training to the ritual and life as an adult before. In a ritual walk the young Kabiye must pass various tasks before they go on to participate at Evala hard. The conclusion of the ritual forms the circumcision. The rite of passage of women who Akpéma, takes place in August.

Political background

Evala served the dictatorial government Gnassingbé Eyadéma as a recruiting tool for the military service. Eyadema, himself a Kabiye, occupied during his tenure, a large proportion of public offices with members of his ethnic group, especially in the military sector were up to 80 % of military personnel Kabiye.