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WABUKAN Arsenal · Training tools · Middle East

Meel

The pair of wooden clubs of the Iranian zurkhaneh, swung in rhythm to the drum of the morshed. They range from a few kilograms to tens of kilograms each.

Also known as

میل · mil; Persian clubs; Indian clubs

Origin and history

Meel are the heavy wooden clubs swung in the zurkhaneh, the Iranian “house of strength”. The Pahlevani and zoorkhaneh rituals were added to UNESCO’s Representative List in 2010. British officers in India adopted similar clubs, known in the West as Indian clubs.

Martial arts that use it

Zurkhaneh

Construction

A pair of bottle-shaped wooden clubs, swung one in each hand; traditional zurkhaneh clubs are large and can weigh many kilograms each.

Basic techniques

Training

Training tools are used in short, regular sessions: correct technique first, then gradual increases in load or contact so that joints, skin and tendons adapt.

Safety

Increase load and contact gradually, stop if joints hurt (as opposed to normal muscle fatigue), and check the equipment and its fixings before each use.

Legality (general information)

This is training or traditional equipment, not a weapon, and is generally free to buy and own. Clubs and federations may still set rules on approved models and condition. General information, not legal advice.

Did you know?

In the 19th century Indian club swinging became a popular gymnastics exercise in Britain and the USA, and it was an Olympic event in 1904 and 1932.

More weapons

Dussack Bokken Shinai Makiwara Chi ishi and nigiri game Wooden dummy

Sources

Original WABUKAN text, written from these cross-checked sources (facts, not sentences).

  1. Wikipedia — Indian club
  2. Wikipedia — Pahlevani and zoorkhaneh rituals