Kalinda or Stick Fighting
- spiceisledigiconte
- Jan 21, 2023
- 1 min read
Updated: Apr 18
Kalinda has its origin in West Africa. It is one of the traditions inherited from our West African ancestry which dates back to slavery. It is from the Yoruba peoples. Today, Kalinda is almost extinct although small aspects exists in Shakespeare mas done during Carriacou Carnival.
What is Kalinda?
Kalinda is stick fighting in which two persons, usually men, belonging to different villages, battle each other. Men enjoyed this activity as it allowed the to show their superior prowess. It formed part of rituals such as wakes or the opening of a liquor shop.
Source: Lomax Digital
How is it done?
Kalinda is done when each contestant or individual battles each other using sticks that are just over 1 metre (3 feet) in length. The sticks are made from the Bois d"Inde tree. Players or contestants skills are tested as they battle against each other. A player or contestant wins when blood is drawn or one of the players are knocked down to the ground.
There is also singing and drumming done during Kalinda. Village members come out to support their players.
Source: Lomax Digital
Source:
When the Village was an Extended Family in Grenada by Claude Douglas
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