What was the significance of the wrestling mathes?

THe Igbo believed that the wrestling matches reflected a boy's right of passage from childhood to adolescents and, for men, a sense of virility and power. Boys who win matches are showered with praise and seen as a future alpha-male type leader. Okonkwo defeated the "Cat" in this way which helped his reputation in this regard. These matches were also a social focal point for the tribe and caused much speculation about possible courtship matches.