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Nguni Stick Fighting

Two sticks, one to strike, one to guard.

A tradition of the Zulu and Xhosa peoples of South Africa, where young men fight with two sticks — one to attack, one to defend.

Fact file

Country
South Africa
Type
Weapons
Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica

History

Nguni stick fighting is the traditional martial art of Zulu, Xhosa and other Nguni peoples of southern Africa. Boys learn it while herding cattle, using one stick to attack and another (or a shield) to defend.

It is also performed at ceremonies and weddings. Nelson Mandela remembered stick fighting as part of his childhood in his autobiography.