Local stick-fighters strike blow for world recognition
October 26, 2004 Edition 1
Craig Elyot
The organisers of the World Martial Arts Festival were so astounded by South Africa's Zulu stick-fighting team in South Korea earlier this month that they've asked if Port Shepstone can host a future festival.
The Zulu stick-fighters competed with warriors from 36 different countries - including American Indians and Aborigines - and walked off with the "most photogenic" award.
"There aren't too many black people in Chungu-Ju, so you can just imagine the impact of Zulu warriors in fighting skins, chanting their war songs and drumming their feet," said Ugu district council manager Khayo Mpungose, who accompanied the team.
"The young, the old, they all wanted our photographs. They just couldn't believe us."
He said South Africa would compete in the festival again next year, and let the organisers know if the municipality could host a future event. Ugu mayor Sithembiso Cele said the South African delegation had also taken the chance to get tips from the South Koreans about hosting the soccer World Cup.
South Korea hosted the cup in 2002 and South Africa will host it in 2010. "A number of lessons have been learned in the field of tourism and job creation, so now Ugu is determined to attract its share of the 2010 revenue," said Cele.
nInternet research suggests that the recent history of stick fighting is traced to King Shaka, who lived from 1787 to 1828, when it was used to train young men in self-defence and war. Historians now believe that Zulus also used stick fighting to resolve conflicts on a symbolic rather than military level.
This is still seen in inter district umgangela stick-fighting competitions, which take place all over the province, especially in rural Zululand areas such as Nongoma.
"To this day I remember being told never to close your eyes when a stick comes close to your face. Of course you will get bashed but it also shows a coward," said one team member, Bheki Gumede.
