Wrestling with Hope in Urban Senegal
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- ISBN 9781805399988
- Dimensions: 152 x 229mm
- Publication Date: 01 Jun 2025
- Publisher: Berghahn Books
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
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In Dakar, thousands of young men train daily on beaches, football pitches and sandy courtyards in pursuit of athletic success. Aspiring football players seek contracts in the lucrative leagues of the Global North, while hopeful wrestlers aim to captivate massive crowds as members of Senegal's beloved national sport. Despite their differences – (European) football's global appeal versus wrestling's traditional roots – both sports demand immense effort and come with high social costs. Wrestling with Hope in Urban Senegal follows the journeys of these precarious athletes as they confront the realities of their aspirations, grappling with themes of masculinity, belief systems and economic survival whilst navigating the complexities of a neoliberal landscape.
Mark Hann is an anthropologist and researcher whose work explores masculinity, sport and social transformation in West Africa. Alongside his academic research, he has held various roles in international peacebuilding organisations.
