Danmye: The Creole Martial Art ( English version)

The first martial art of Martinique, Danmyé—or Ladja—was born from the clash of two worlds. Enslaved people from Senegal, passing through Gorée Island, created a combat art inspired by the initiatory ceremony called “n'golo,” which symbolized the transition from adolescence to adulthood through wrestling. The primary source of inspiration was undoubtedly the làmb, or traditional Senegalese wrestling. These combats took place during patronal festivals or in organized bouts.
However, after Martinique became an official French department in 1947, municipal decrees banned the practice of Danmyé. The fights were real, with genuine blows, and often served as a pretext for settling disputes. During the 1960s, the rise of folkloric groups—most notably the Martinican ballet—revived this combat sport through choreographed bouts. In the 1970s, with the emergence of independence movements, the phenomenon gained momentum, becoming increasingly prominent.
Today, cultural associations work to preserve and update knowledge about this practice. Danmyé, or martial dance, developed exclusively in Martinique. It is performed to the rhythm of drums and ti-bwa within a circle formed by spectators. A singer encourages the fighters with chants in favor of the struggle. There are various venues in Martinique for “bèlè” evenings. Traditionally, the night begins with Danmyé bouts, followed by bèlè, creating a sense of communion that lasts through the night, ending at sunrise with the “ting-bang.”