Trinidad Stick Fight 2019 ( semi final Mayaro)

Stick Fighting Stickfighting is an old African tradition brought to Trinidad by the slaves during the latter part of the 17th century. Stickfighting was a ritual dance dating back to the days of slavery when men would duel with sticks (bois) in the centre of rings or gayelles, hence the word boismen or stickfighters. The wooden sticks used were from the yellow poui tree, and were about three and a half to four feet long, and one inch in diameter. Although it is said that the French brought carnival to Trinidad, many of the slaves traced some of the festivities back to their country of origin. After Emancipation in 1834, stickfighting developed and became associated with carnival and was termed Kalenda. It is believed that Kalenda began around 1860 when the freed slaves organized themselves into competing bands and held performances. Men, women and children would sing or dance to be entertained by the stickfighters who would perform to the rhythm of drums. Kalenda songs were a fo