Modern day combat sport enthusiasts mistakenly believe that wrestling originated in ancient Greece, due in part to its representation in Greek mythology, as well as it being the first sport added to the Olympic Games in 708 BC. However, the history of wrestling can be traced back to prehistoric times — long before Homer’s wrestling accounts — where cave paintings in France and Mongolia show two naked men grappling before a crowd of watchers. It can also be traced back to ancient tribes across Africa, where each region had its own specific practices for the grappling art.
While wrestling can be found all across the African continent, historical context has greatly focused on ancient Egypt.