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Photos: Ngbaba, a sport lost to time, returns to Central Africa

Two groups size each other up, plan out a strategy and confront each other on a dusty sports field in Bangui, the capital city of the Central African Republic. Both wielding roughly cut arm-length sticks they sweep in towards a common goal --to whack a homemade puck at high speed into the other team’s half of the field. For the middle-aged and beyond, the sight of this rugged game triggers distant memories, of happier times in a country that has long faced the brunt of a civil war. The sport at play, known as ngbaba, having nearly died out, is finding new life thanks to a lull in country's political climate.

Updated on: Aug 29, 2019 10:36 AM IST

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A Ngbaba player stretches out before a game in Bangui. Ngbaba is a traditional Central African sport which fell into disuse in the 2000s due to the security situation in the country, and is now being revived by young enthusiasts thanks to the lull in the conflict. The sport, is unique to the Central African Republic -- and, almost like the embattled country itself, has been hauled back from near-death. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Aug 29, 2019 10:36 AM

A Ngbaba player stretches out before a game in Bangui. Ngbaba is a traditional Central African sport which fell into disuse in the 2000s due to the security situation in the country, and is now being revived by young enthusiasts thanks to the lull in the conflict. The sport, is unique to the Central African Republic -- and, almost like the embattled country itself, has been hauled back from near-death. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

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Ngbaba players gather to establish a strategy on the field. Two teams confronted each other on the dusty sports field, wielding roughly cut sticks to whack a homemade puck at high speed. For the middle-aged and beyond, the sight of this rugged game triggered distant memories, of happier times. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Aug 29, 2019 10:36 AM

Ngbaba players gather to establish a strategy on the field. Two teams confronted each other on the dusty sports field, wielding roughly cut sticks to whack a homemade puck at high speed. For the middle-aged and beyond, the sight of this rugged game triggered distant memories, of happier times. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

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Ngbaba players gather to rally motivation before a game. Once played widely in streets and villages, ngbaba -- pronounced “g’baba” -- has simple rules and requires speed, dexterity and a dose of fearlessness. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Aug 29, 2019 10:36 AM

Ngbaba players gather to rally motivation before a game. Once played widely in streets and villages, ngbaba -- pronounced “g’baba” -- has simple rules and requires speed, dexterity and a dose of fearlessness. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

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Players hew a thin stick, roughly about as long as their arm and slightly curved at the end, and use it to hit a puck carved out of an old pair of rubber sandals. If the puck lands in the opposing side of the pitch, the other team has to make sure that they get to it quickly to keep it moving and hit it back over to the other side. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Aug 29, 2019 10:36 AM

Players hew a thin stick, roughly about as long as their arm and slightly curved at the end, and use it to hit a puck carved out of an old pair of rubber sandals. If the puck lands in the opposing side of the pitch, the other team has to make sure that they get to it quickly to keep it moving and hit it back over to the other side. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

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Ngbaba players compete for the puck on the field during a game. The aim is to avoid the puck stopping face down in your half of the pitch. At this match, played on a sports field at the University of Bangui, the challenges and skills of ngbaba were on clear display. Reaching the puck in time requires sharp reflexes, and it takes quick thinking and coordination to mount a counter-attack. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Aug 29, 2019 10:36 AM

Ngbaba players compete for the puck on the field during a game. The aim is to avoid the puck stopping face down in your half of the pitch. At this match, played on a sports field at the University of Bangui, the challenges and skills of ngbaba were on clear display. Reaching the puck in time requires sharp reflexes, and it takes quick thinking and coordination to mount a counter-attack. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

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The idea is tempting, given the clear similarity with mega-sports like ice hockey and baseball. Yet games using sticks and a ball or other object have a history that long predates these modern sports -- and some speculate that ngbaba’s roots may be much older.”It was part of the initiation rites among certain tribes,” Sonek Langate, head of the Baila association suggested. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Aug 29, 2019 10:36 AM

The idea is tempting, given the clear similarity with mega-sports like ice hockey and baseball. Yet games using sticks and a ball or other object have a history that long predates these modern sports -- and some speculate that ngbaba’s roots may be much older.”It was part of the initiation rites among certain tribes,” Sonek Langate, head of the Baila association suggested. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

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Ngbaba clearly meets some of the needs of typical rites to celebrate the passage into manhood, such as endurance and bonding. The whizzing puck can cause painful injuries and confrontation also brings rivals together. “It’s not a sport for softies,” said Terrence, dripping with sweat as he came off the field. Ngbaba is also a “driver of peace and social cohesion,” Langate argued. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Aug 29, 2019 10:36 AM

Ngbaba clearly meets some of the needs of typical rites to celebrate the passage into manhood, such as endurance and bonding. The whizzing puck can cause painful injuries and confrontation also brings rivals together. “It’s not a sport for softies,” said Terrence, dripping with sweat as he came off the field. Ngbaba is also a “driver of peace and social cohesion,” Langate argued. (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

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A puck and flyers for a Ngbaba game on the table of the Ngbaba arbitrator in Bangui. At the start of the century, ngbaba’s fortunes began a downward spiral and people became afraid of going into other neighbourhoods. “These days, young people prefer to play football or basketball, because they have a better chance of making a living from those sports,” said Jean, a student. “What we need is a professional federation.” (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

Updated on Aug 29, 2019 10:36 AM

A puck and flyers for a Ngbaba game on the table of the Ngbaba arbitrator in Bangui. At the start of the century, ngbaba’s fortunes began a downward spiral and people became afraid of going into other neighbourhoods. “These days, young people prefer to play football or basketball, because they have a better chance of making a living from those sports,” said Jean, a student. “What we need is a professional federation.” (Florent Vergnes / AFP)

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