Name: Ria
Comments: Stick fighting is a dangerous activity, but I will like to find out more about Kalinda.
Name: Kazhul
Country:
Comments: The form of Trinidad stick fighting probably came with the French. In fact, some of their forms are totally similar to the original stick fighting I've learned from one of the last teacher we still have in France. It is very different from the sport form, and originates from the saber/sword tradition.
As Eric Eustace Williams said,
Name: Yeniseri
Country:
Comments: When exactly does the stick fighting season begin? Perhaps I could come down one year and check out the festivities.
My timeline is that it may start around parang time and culminate on Ash Wednesday!
Name: BR
Country:
Comments: Stick Fighting is a martial art that is practiced in Trinidad. There are competitions held around the country leading to a National Championship. This activity is usually only done at Carnival time.
Name: Dbookee
Country:
Title: stick fighting
Comments: there is in fact an annual stick fighting competition 'King of the Gayelle" which is run by the Regional Carnival Committee of the National Carnival Commission.
The Regional Carnival Committee is an arm set up specifically to teach and preserve the traditional Carnival Arts. They do this through workshops and Training programs in schools and community groups throughout Trinidad and Tobago of witch stick fighting is a major part.
graduates of these workshops present there portrayal on the streets of Port of Spain on the Friday before Carnival.
active stick fight communities include Talparo, Princes Town, Mayaro, San Fernando (Kings Wharf)
Name: Benjie
Country:
Title: Stickfighting
Comments: The Bois Academy of Trinidad & Tobago is dedicated to the perseverance of Kalinda as a Native/African Diaspora Martial Tradition.
Kalinda is predominantly a Central African derived tradition and existed in it current form since the 1700's
It is now actively taught in workshops,Private classes and demoed year round.
It is obviously a strong part of Creole Culture, with strong Patwa ( Patios ) heritage and traveled through the Caribbean with the french refugees escaped from Haiti .
It is far from extinct and is actively practiced in rural communities through out rural coastal regions in east, central & south Trinidad.
Name: Francis
Country:
Title: Stickfighting
Comments: I am a citizen of Trinidad and stick fighting is more than a competition it is a art and skill. Stick fighting has to do with motion, skill and determination. It is our culture to practice traditions of our heritage and I hope that while the years go by all Trinidadians will appreciate our culture and teach other generations of our national heritage. Stick fighting was not banned years ago because it was rubbish it was banned because of deaths but now it has become more civilized and it has been celebrated still up to this day in our county.
Maybe they can have this as part of the curriculum in school like they do with the Brazilian fighting arts that have become a big part of their culture. This might give some of our youth something to do instead of selling marijuana. .