Gatka

Histoire

Gatka is the martial art of the Sikhs of Punjab, India, linked to the warrior tradition begun by Guru Hargobind in the 17th century. Today it is mostly practised with wooden sticks and shields, and with swords in demonstrations.

Gatka is performed at Sikh festivals and processions, especially Hola Mohalla, and has become an organised sport with its own federations.

The word gatka first named the stick-sparring used to practise sword work. In the colonial period the stick game became the main public form, while the wider Sikh tradition of weapons is sometimes called shastar vidya. Today gatka has its own federations, rules and championships in Punjab and in the Sikh diaspora.

Le saviez-vous ?

• Practice uses sticks (soti) and small shields (farri).
• Gatka movements follow a rhythmic footwork pattern.
• Demonstrations show spinning weapons such as the chakram.
• Gatka is taught to boys and girls alike in many gurdwaras.

Armes et équipement

Soti

stick

Farri

small shield

Talwar

curved sword

Chakram

throwing ring

⚔ In the Arsenal

TalwarKhandaChakram

Sources: World Gatka Federation · Encyclopaedia Britannica · Wikipedia (en): Gatka