The Butchers' Guild Game

• Photographer
  Philipp Schmieja
• Technical Info
  Sony A6000, Sigma 105mm
• Photo Date
  March 2025, Kano (Nigeria)

It is a chance to be a hero and to earn some money in a place where poverty is brutal. Dambe is an ancient martial art, practiced by the Hausa tribe in northern Nigeria. Historically, the sport was closely tied to butchers, as it served as a rite of passage into manhood. The punching hand is tied with rope. The aim is to knock your opponent down. Some years ago, pieces of glass were woven in with the rope to ensure maximum damage. That is now banned, the fight is brutal though. They wear charms around their neck, mix leaves with their blood and many of them take drugs prior to the fight.

Self-taught photographer and passionate traveler. I discovered my passion for photography during traveling African countries. I had developed a fascination for tribes. This has been underpinned by my passion for photography. Tribal people are those who have unique customs. They often have a symbiotic bond with the environments in which they live. I am using photography as a medium to capture candid moments as well as community spirit and portraits.