There are few times that man in the wrestling business is universally loved by the guys in the business. That was the story of James “Sugar Bear”Harris best known to fans as Kamala “The Ugandan Giant”. Most of his fellow wrestlers describe him as a good man or very nice man. Usually there is at least one person to say “that guy was a jerk” but not about Kamala. Unfortunately, the world lost this man to Covid-19 on this past Sunday.
Harris was born in Mississippi in 1950,at the age of 25 after meeting the legendary Bobo Brazil. He then started to get trained by a friend of Brazil’s, “Tiny” Tim Hampton. His early career began in the late 1970’s where he traveled around to various NWA Territories in the Southern United States. He wrestled as “Sugar Bear” Harris, “Ugly Bear” Harris and “Big” Jim Harris.In 1981 he made it to Europe and wrestling in the UK and Germany and was known as “The Mississippi Mauler”.
He returned to the US in 1982 after suffering an injury in Europe. He ended up in Memphis and met Jerry Lawler and Jerry Jarrett who were running the Continental Wrestling Association. While there Lawler developed a character that go on to define the career of Harris. I feel that it would be irresponsible to not say that this character by creation was racist. Not saying that Lawler or Jarrett were racist, but the creation of Kamala definitely was from a racist viewpoint of Africa and Africans.
The character was billed as Ugandan headhunter with face and body paint that was copied from a Frank Frazetta painting. He appeared carrying a spear walking through a steamy “African”jungle which as actually Jerry Jarrett’s backyard. He was supposed to be this savage and did not speak English. Harris shined up this horrible idea and made it one of the most memorable characters from 1980’s wrestling. In 1982 he had a big feud with Lawler and even won the AWA Southern Heavyweight title.
After leaving Memphis Kamala traveled to the Mid-South Territory and to World Class Championship Wrestling. While in Mid-South Kamala had his legendary feud with Andre the Giant. He also slams Andre years before Hogan did at Wrestlemania III. While in WCCW he feuded with the famous Von Erichs and further cemented himself as a draw as a monster heel.
Like wrestlers of his era Harris brought Kamala to various territories and even got to the big time in the WWF, now WWE. He was there for a stint in 1984 and back in 1986 to 87. He had some issues with Jake Roberts, but his most famous feud was his time with Hulk Hogan. The 6ft 7in man became the next monster for Hogan to conquer. After leaving the WWF he wrestled in various promotions and came back in 1992 for short time. In 1995 he semi-retired showing up in different wrestling companies throughout the years.
The later years were hard forHarris as he battled health problems. He was on dialysis and had both legs amputated from complications from diabetes. On August 5th, he tested positive for Covid-19 and went into cardiac arrest on the morning of the 9th. The wrestling world mourns the loss of a good man.
Written By: Keith Holt
Follow on Twitter: @Kholtjr
