Stick fighting competition in Trinidad

Feb 21, 2014

Stick fighting competition in Trinidad

Denise Sanders 0 Comment Sports, Travel, World

At the beginning of Carnival season, a national stick fighting competition takes place in Trinidad every year with the winner receiving the title “King of the Rock.” The winner is the first fighter to draw blood from his opponent.

: Stick fighter Anderson Marcano cuts down a poui tree to make a stick to compete in the finals of the national stick fighting competition, in the village of Rio Claro. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighters from the Campbell Trace gayelle, or fighting arena, carry sticks they cut from a poui tree as they prepare for the finals of the national stick fighting competition, in the village of Rio Claro, February 19, 2014. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighter Anderson Marcano, former holder of the champion’s title of “King of the Rock,” uses a broken bottle to shave a poui tree branch to make a stick before the finals of the national stick fighting competition. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighter Anderson Marcano, former holder of the champion’s title of “King of the Rock” and a man who lost his left eye during a fight three years ago, pauses as he cuts a poui tree to make a stick before the finals of the national stick fighting competition, in the village of Rio Claro, February 19, 2014. The stick fighting championship, which dates back to the days of slavery, is held every year at the beginning of Carnival season and the winner gets the title “King of the Rock”. Bouts are decided when a fighter draws blood from his opponent. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighter Selwyn John uses a broken bottle to shave a stick cut from a poui tree as he prepares it for the finals of the national stick fighting competition, in the village of Rio Claro, February 18, 2014. The stick fighting championship, which dates back to the days of slavery, is held every year at the beginning of Carnival season and the winner gets the title “King of the Rock”. Bouts are decided when a fighter draws blood from his opponent. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighting brothers Andrew Marcano, left, former holder of the national “King of the Rock” title, and his brother Terrance Marcano play fight as they prepare for the finals of the national stick fighting competition, in the village of Rio Claro, (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighter Bernard Dyer uses local plants to prepare a ritual “bush bath” for himself and his sticks prior to competing in the finals of the national stick fighting competition, in the village of Rio Claro. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Fans watch the finals of the national stick fighting competition in San Fernando February 19, 2014. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Fans react while watching watch the finals of the national stick fighting competition in San Fernando. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighter Learie Licorish, of the Campbell Trace gayelle, or stick fighting arena, does a dance before fighting a rival during the finals of the national stick fighting competition. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighter Learie Licorish, left, of the Campbell Trace gayelle, or stick fighting arena, fights rival Sean Lange of the Arouca gayelle during the finals of the national stick fighting competition, in San Fernando, February 19, 2014. The stick fighting championship, which dates back to the days of slavery, is held every year at the beginning of Carnival season and the winner gets the title “King of the Rock”. Bouts are decided when a fighter draws blood from his opponent. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighter Learie Licorish, right, of the Campbell Trace gayelle, or stick fighting arena, fights rival Sean Lange of the Arouca gayelle during the finals of the national stick fighting competition, in San Fernando, February 19, 2014. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighter Anderson Marcano, left, of the Campbell Trace gayelle, or stick fighting arena, fights a rival from the Couva gayelle during the finals of the national stick fighting competition, in San Fernando, February 19, 2014. The stick fighting championship, which dates back to the days of slavery, is held every year at the beginning of Carnival season and the winner gets the title King of the Rock. Bouts are decided when a fighter draws blood from his opponent. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighter Anderson Marcano, left, of the Campbell Trace gayelle, or stick fighting arena, fights rival Evan Ralph of the Arouca gayelle during the finals of the national stick fighting competition. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighter Learie Licorish, of the Campbell Trace gayelle, or stick fighting arena, kisses his stick after beating his rival during the finals of the national stick fighting competition, in San Fernando. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

: Stick fighter Learie Licorish, center, of the Campbell Trace gayelle, or stick fighting arena, is carried by teammates after he beat his rival to give Campbell Trace the victory in the finals of the national stick fighting competition, in San Fernando. (Andrea De Silva/Reuters photo)

The Darkroom offers Facebook and WordPress commenting in the hopes of fostering constructive conversation among our users. Please abide by our Terms of Service when commenting on the site.

Categories