Topics for Paper 4: Cricket or Senegalese Wrestling

Cricket

Less than a million English people play cricket regularly in England. And yet, it is considered the national sport. Explain the relationship between cricket and English national identity, especially with regard to British colonization and ideas about “civilization.”

Describe the relationship between nationalism and cricket in India. What role did cricket play in British colonization? How did cricket create a sense of national identity? Explain how this is shown in Lagaan.

Describe the relationship between nationalism and cricket in the West Indies. What role did cricket play in British colonization? How did cricket create a sense of national identity? Explain how this is shown in Fire of Babylon.

Compare and contrast cricket in the different parts of the British Commonwealth. Explain how it spread and is practiced in the UK, Australia, India and the West Indies.

Senegalese Wrestling

Why was traditional wrestling banned under colonialism in Senegal? How did the sport change after independence? In your answer, discuss the role of religion, especially voodoo rituals.

In Senegal, an extremely poor nation, wrestling is often perceived by young people as the only way to improve their socio-economic status. What opportunities for social advancement does wrestling provide in Senegal?

Can you think of other examples of societies in which a sport is considered one of the few means of social ascension? How do these examples compare to the case of wrestling in Senegal?

Recently, female wrestling has become very popular in Senegal. Describe the rise of this sport and compare it to its male counterpart.