Voodoo wrestling in Kinshasa, DRC

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Photographer

Jan Grodza
Prize

Honorable Mention
Jury Top 5 Selection

Caroline Metcalfe Powerful and disturbing in equal measure. A reportage story I haven't seen before which is always a plus.
Date of Photograph

27.03.2023
Technical Info

Nikon Z9 + Nikkor Z 24-70 mm
Socials
Website

https://www.grodzafrica.cz/

Voodoo wrestling in Kinshasa is an intense and wild entertainment that combines sport, theater and culture.It is a unique form of wrestling that combines physical strength, acrobatics and the influence of voodoo rituals. Wrestlers are often associated with various voodoo cults and perform rituals before each match to enhance their physical and mental abilities. During the match, they perform acrobatic stunts, incredible jumps, throws and various fighting techniques including the use of magic to defeat their opponents. Voodoo Wrestling is also an important part of Congolese culture.

Biography

I am pharmacist by profession and I turned out to be an amateur travel photograph. My passion is Africa and I have traveled to many countries as Niger, Benin, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda etc. My main goal is to capture the uniqueness of local cultures in Africa. Although over the years I see how this slowly disappears and globalization inexorably sets in.
Awards

IPA International Photography Awards : 3rd Place / Event/Traditions and Cultures Scarifications IPOTY Open Category: Photojournalism / Story ( Amateur) - Honorable Mention Scarifications PX3 Prix de la photographie Paris Gold TOKYO-2017 People / Culture Tifa Honorable Mention Sony World Photography Awards , Commended Black and white Spider awards, 1st Place Photojournalist amateur Monochrome Awards Scarification , Jan Grodza – 3rd place Winner in Photojournalism, Amateur, 2017