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Trinidad Stick Fighting

Trinidad Stick Fighting

Name: Ricardo Reinprecht

Subject: Culture

Message: Dear Sirs/Madams,

I am a book publisher. At the moment, I am developing a historical research on African and African related cultures and I would like to know if you could kindly confirm whether the martial art called "Trinidad Stick Fighting" is an original art from Trinidad and Tobago and if it still being practiced in your country.

I look forward to your responde at your earliest convenience.

Fighting Stick Trinidad

Trinidad Stick Fighting is not a widely used art form. In fact, I believe most times you will see it being used as part of a dance or acting performance rather than as a martial art. I am unsure of the exact origin but it definitely started with the African slaves and keeps the same African theme today when portrayed.

Trinidad Stick Fighting Caribbean / Tobago & Trinidad

When I was growing up in Trinidad, it was an art associated with hooligans and considered rubbish, like how steel pan used to perceived! The 'low class' status association gave it a bad name. A few years ago, I read in the Express that there was a yearly or so competition and the last winner was a woman!

Perhaps someone with the research can interview these people and the area associated with the 'bois' (stick) will provide an historical record for posterity!

Fighting Stick Trinidad

Name: David

Comments: I think Bois was mentioned being in the Dominican Republic. If anyone knows of any good sources for "bois", any actual style/system of Trinidad Stick fighting, Kalinda (various spellings) stick fighting, or even Venezuelan Garrote (if spelled correctly), please let me know. I'm very interested in ll forms of staff & stick combat traditions but it seems that there is little available. An article here & there about competitions & carnival related stick fighting but little about any documentation or resources. Thanks for any help.

Source 1: Cuman Bhata 06 WMA seminar.
Source 2: Besides researching on the internet, I had met a Venezuelan Garrote instructor, Bruno & participated in his class, as well as discussing stick-fighting with him outside of class.

Message Edited...
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Fighting Stick Trinidad

Name: Yeniseri

Comments: Based on my limited research, The 'bois' in stick fighting is pointing to a Haitian origin based on the fact that when Trinidad was under Spanish control, the local Ayuntamiento issued a Cedula of Population that allowed the French and their slaves to come to Trinidad to escape the rebellions.

Subsequent migration of French speakers and their cultural habits from St Lucia and Martinique may have added elements to the bois stick fighting reportoire.
As an amateur martial artist, the technique involved in assessing origin of teacher or teacher's art is to track backwards from the present and see where the lineage began or was instituted. Literacy or lack thereof and era may be dauting if one comes across an individual who transcends the art and becomes a professional in his way with the traditional teacher/student relationship.

Just as in capoeira, where the original art was a war dance but when it came upon the New World difficulties and the savagery of slavery, it automatically transformed into what we know it as today!

Trinidad Stick Fighting

Name: Trini

Comments: I live in Trinidad and I know for a fact that stick-fighting is done every year at around Carnival time at the King's Warf in San Fernando. It is and exciting event and many people come to view the the competitors. Drums are played and people chant and shout in support of the stick fighter they want to win. Stick fighting is definitely still practiced in Trinidad and Tobago and should it should be noted in your book, Mr. Author.

Trinidad Stick Fighting

Name: Yeniseri

Comments: Do you know if there are annual, monthly, or weekly training meetings and where they are usually held, or are they impromptu?

Trinidad Stick Fighting Trinidad & Tobago / Caribbean

Trinidad stick fighting is a dying art. I hardly hear about it or even see it. There should be schools around to teach it.