Baye Fallou ''Las Palmas'' by Joan Mateu

Public Project

Baye Fallou ''Las Palmas''

Copyright Joan Mateu 2025

Updated Jul 2021

Topics Arts & Entertainment, Capitalism, Multimedia, Photography, Photojournalism

Baye Fallou is 21 years old. In addition to being a fisherman, he’s also a traditional Senegalese wrestler — a sport with deep cultural roots and wide popularity in the country. His professional wrestling nickname is “Las Palmas,” a name he adopted after attempting to migrate irregularly from the coast of Senegal to Spain in September 2020, aiming to reach the Canary Islands.He didn’t make it. The journey lasted seven days before the Moroccan navy intercepted the boat and forced him and his travel companions to turn back.Although he had to return home, where in recent months he has gained growing recognition as a wrestler, the lack of future prospects — and the ambition that comes with being 21 — lead him to say that one day, he’ll try to reach Europe again.This story speaks of migration, ambition, and the blurred line between survival and dreams.

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Joan Mateu

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