Being Breton through wrestling: Traditional gouren as a distinctive Breton activity

Abstract

Gouren is a style of wrestling practiced in Brittany, France. It has been “sportised” during the last century, but it still represents an emblematic tradition for those people involved who exploit its ancient origins to describe it as a distinctive Breton activity. Following the same path of Breton “identity”—one that has been defined in opposition to hegemonic French identity—gouren is largely defined by its practitioners in opposition to the “hegemonic” wrestling style in France, judo, viewed as an epitome of globalized sports. Through their actions and narratives, Breton wrestlers shape an alternative (pre-modern) sporting culture, promoting non-aggressive, social, and non-hierarchical attitudes over radical competition, athletic performance and personal achievement. Accordingly, gouren is associated with “old-fashioned” ideas of masculinity, strength and related values, that serve to root the practice in the idealized past of Brittany—even now that women are actively involved in gouren.