Luke Leyland
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Luke Leyland (born 27 June 1986) is a British documentary filmmaker, cultural adventurer, and public speaker from Birkenhead, Merseyside. He is known for his work exploring traditional combat sports and customs through immersive storytelling, including becoming the first white Westerner to be initiated into the ancient Nigerian combat tradition of Dambe. Leyland is the subject and executive producer of the upcoming documentary Dan Bature Kudawa, which chronicles his journey of cultural exchange and community engagement in Northern Nigeria. Luke continues to create documentaries and seeks different cultural combat sports to explore and bring to the rest of the world.
Early life
[edit]Leyland was born and raised in Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula in North West England. He began practicing martial arts from a young age, training in taekwondo and later participating in professional wrestling during his early adulthood. His passion for physical expression led him to fighting arenas of northern Nigeria.
Dambe and cultural impact
[edit]In 2024, Leyland became the first known white Westerner to participate in a professional Dambe match.[1]
Documentary and media attention
[edit]Leyland's career became the subject of a forthcoming documentary titled Dan Bature Kudawa. The film has been selected for presentation at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF).[2]
His story has since been featured across international media, leading to more interest in Dambe.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Wirral man travels to Nigeria to take part in ancient combat sport". www.bbc.com. 2025-06-21. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
- ^ "AFRIFF | Africa International Film Festival". Afriff. Retrieved 2025-07-05.
External links
[edit]- Wirral man travels to Nigeria to take part in ancient combat sport BBC News
- Birkenhead man becomes first white westerner to compete in ancient African sport Wirral Globe
- Luke Leyland Archives La Vida Liverpool Magazine
- Birkenhead man makes history in Nigerian martial art Birkenhead News
- Forget boxing, Luke Leyland is about to dive headfirst into a different world of sports - Nigerian Dambe! Liverpool Echo
- Baturen Ingila Luke Leyland, Kamar Duka kenan. | By Katsina City News Katsina City News