The most popular sport in the West African country of Senegal isn’t soccer—it’s laamb, combining Greco-Roman wrestling moves with eclectic pre-fight rituals and dances. Laamb’s appeal has skyrocketed as the nation’s economy has plunged (the average income for Senegalese workers is about $3 a day), and the top stars are the Michael Jordans of their country. In this segment filmed for VICE on HBO, Thomas Morton meets with a shaman who bathes him in a series of potions to give him an edge in his upcoming laamb match.
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