Editing Nguni stick-fighting

{{Short description|South African martial art}}
{{morefootnotes|date=October 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Use South African English|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox martial art
| image = 
| imagecaption = 
| name = Nguni stick-fighting
| aka = Zulu stick-fighting
| focus = [[Weapon]]ry
| country = [[South Africa]]
| olympic = No
| creator = Various
| parenthood =
| famous_pract = [[Shaka|Shaka Zulu]], [[Nelson Mandela]]
}}'''Nguni stick-fighting''' (also known as ''donga'', or ''dlala 'nduku'', which literally translates as 'playing sticks')<ref name="Nguni Stick Fighting’">{{Cite web |title=Nguni Stick Fighting |url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/nguni-stick-fighting |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=[[South African History Project|South African History Online]] {{!}} www.sahistory.org.za}}</ref> is a [[martial arts|martial art]] traditionally practiced by teenage [[Nguni people|Nguni]] herdboys in [[South Africa]]. Each combatant is armed with two long sticks, one of which is used for defense and the other for offense. Little armor is used. For up to five hours, players alternate between offense and defense to score points based on which body part is struck.<ref name=an>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-25 |title=South Africa: Nguni stick fighting |url=https://www.africanews.com/2016/08/25/south-africa-nguni-stick-fighting/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=Africanews |language=en}}</ref>

Although Nguni/[[Xhosa people|Xhosa]] styles of fighting may use only two sticks, variations of [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]]/Nguni stick-fighting throughout Southern Africa incorporate [[Nguni shield|shields]] as part of the stick-fighting weaponry. [[Zulu people|Zulu]] stick-fighting uses an ''isikhwili'' or attacking stick, an ''ubhoko'' or defending stick and an ''ihawu'' or defending shield.  

The object is for two opposing warriors to fight each other to establish which of them is the strongest or the "Bull" (Inkunzi). In modern times this usually occurs as part of the wedding ceremony where warriors from the bridegroom's household and area welcome warriors from the bride's household and area to meet to "get to know each other", other groups of warriors may also be welcome to join in. Warriors do this by engaging in combat with one another. An "induna" or War Captain / Referee from each group of warriors keeps his crew in check and keeps order between fighters. 

This tradition is one which  arguably developed in societies, cultures and civilisations that used herding as part of their systems of survival; where there are cows, there are stick-fighters. The old regimental structures of the great uShaka KaSenzangakhona KaJama dominate current modern Zulu stick-fighting.

Film maker SiyaBonga Makhathini has directed  the film "We Still are Warriors" which captures the essence of the modern-day Zulu stick-fighter, descendant of the kings of old.  

[[Nelson Mandela]] practiced Nguni stick-fighting as a child,<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 June 2013 |title=Stick fighting and modernity |url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/daily-dispatch/20130629/281818576411070 |work=[[Daily Dispatch]]}}</ref> and it was featured on the [[Discovery Channel|Discovery]] and [[BBC]] reality TV show ''[[Last Man Standing (UK TV series)|Last Man Standing]]''. It has been featured in Season 1 of the television series ''[[Deadliest_Warrior_(season_1)#Episode_8:_William_Wallace_vs._Shaka_Zulu|Deadliest Warrior]].''

Nguni stick-fighting is resurfacing and attracting crowds despite being previously banned in some parts of South Africa.<ref name=an/>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Coetzee, Marié-Heleen. (2002) "Zulu Stick Fighting: A Socio-Historical Overview," http://ejmas.com/jalt/jaltart_Coetzee_0902.htm
* {{cite book|author=Sulaiman Sharif |date=2009|title=50 Martial Arts Myths|page=184|publisher=New media entertainment |isbn=9780967754628 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BrttF8DY3JcC&dq=%22Nguni+stick-fighting%22&pg=PA184}}
{{stick fighting}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nguni Stick Fighting}}
[[Category:Stick-fighting]]
[[Category:African martial arts]]
[[Category:Nguni]]
[[Category:Sports originating in South Africa]]

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