Maasai Stick Fighting

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History

The primary reason for stick fighting is to defend the family and clan against invaders/raiders and against wild animals, with lions being a very real threat. Kids start learning at an early age to properly master the art of stick fighting (even though the parents don’t always approve of it). Sticks are primarily used because they are easy to obtain, yet if properly used very effective. Sticks( fimbos) are cut and prepared in accordance to the preference of the owner. But nowadays sticks are being sold in the markets and cities.

Stick fighting starts with kids from one boma fighting kids from other bomas to test their skill and bravery. Stick fighting generally stops when a person reaches the third level of being a moran ( Warrior). Three levels of morani ( Warrior) occur.

  • The first level morani is directly after circumcision at ages around 17-25. These morani still practice stick fighting but less often than the kids. Fighting between morani also tends to be of a more serious nature. Only morani carry the dark sticks but the Grewia (light coloured) fimbos are mostly used for practice fighting.
  • The second level of being a morani occurs at the ages of around 25-35. These are the most skilled fighters. These morani do not fight much and will only fight to settle more serious disputes or to discipline 1st level morani.
  • The third level starts around 35 years of age. These morani do not practice stick fighting anymore. They are still dominant to second level morani and will instruct and direct Maasai activities.
  • After this you become a mzee (elder) and care for cattle etc you also sit at home and drink beer (honey beer)

Different age groups and their accompanying fimbos

  • Small kids start to play fight around the age of 7. At this stage the kids use thin, short sticks of approximately 60-70cm, called “Enjivishivi”. These sticks are mostly just picked-up in the bush and no effort goes into preparing the sticks.
  • Between the ages of 10- 12 the kids (layoni mdogo) start using slightly bigger sticks around 100 -120cm but slightly thicker than the above mentioned sticks, these are called “Engitongoitoy” .More effort goes into preparing these sticks. These sticks are cut from Grewia spp. Around this age the kids start to really fight amongst one another using fimbos. Fighting is done primarily between neighbouring bomas. When kids from one boma enter into the area of another boma the kids will fight to determine who the best fighter is. Most of this fighting is done in secret. Apparently injuries are common and can vary from just welts to more serious injuries such as badly damaged limbs and even losing eye.
  • After around 12 years of age the older kids (Layoni mkubwa) start using regular fighting fimbos “Esiarey”. These are shorter thicker fimbos, which are just longer than a meter. These fimbos are thicker for strength so as not to break during fighting and shorter for better control. This is the last fimbo used by layoni before becoming morani.
  • Morani will use either the above mentioned fimbos for fighting or they will make themselves the red or black fimbos commonly seen. The core wood from Acacia mellifera, is used in the making of the red fimbos, while ebony is used in the making of the dark/black fimbos. Layoni are not allowed to use these fimbos. These fimbos vary in length from around 1.2 m -1.5m and are considerably heavier than the fimbos cut from the Grewia species.

Maasai stick fighting

Maasai stick fighting

Maasai stick fighting

Maasai stick fighting

Stick preparation

  • Grewia fimbos
    The light coloured sticks are cut from straight branches of the Grewia spp (Estert). These fimbos vary greatly in thickness and weight and the user will cut a fimbo according to his taste and level of strength. These fimbos are firstly cut and then burned or “roasted” over an open fire. This serves to separate the bark from the wood and to dry the wood without cracking occurring. While the wood is hot and thus pliable the fimbo is straightened by bending it straight. The process is finished after the fimbo has cooled down and straightened. These fimbos are also used as walking sticks by all ages and for cattle herding. Most the kids and morani while herding cattle or moving between bomas will carry one or two fimbos and a spear for protection. Cattle raiders and the prescience of lion being the deciding factor.
  • Acacia mellifera and ebony fimbos
    The dark coloured fimbos are cut from a straight Acacia mellifera log. The lighter sap wood is removed until the dark core wood is reached. One log usually produces two to three fimbos. These fimbos are then finished with a simi (maasai short sword) and eventually sanded down using broken glass. When the fimbo is done, either cow or goat fat is applied to oil the wood.

Techniques

Generally two different techniques are used

  • Two-handed hold
    This technique is more commonly used for practice fighting but may be used for real fighting when the person only has a fimbo. The fimbo is held in front of the person in a two-handed grip and is used as both a shield and to strike with. This is a very effective technique and if properly trained, very effective in defense. The hand used for striking is usually in the rear, so for example a right handed person’s left hand will be in the front to do most of the defensive work, while the stronger hand will hold the end of the stick for striking. Striking is done in both a fore-hand and back-hand manner.
  • Spear/ fimbo or fimbo/fimbo combination
    The second fighting technique is to use the spear( or second fimbo) as both a shield and a stabbing weapon. The spear is held in the left hand and the fimbo in the right. The spear is extended towards the opponent and is used to block strikes from the opponent and used to stab at the opponents chest and head areas. The long blade of the spear is used in both stabbing and slashing. Striking with the fimbo is used in both a fore-hand and back-hand manner. This technique is regarded as superior .

Maasai stick fighting

Maasai stick fighting

Maasai stick fighting

Two Fimbos being used. The one in the left hand can be substituted for a spear.

Maasai stick fighting

Maasai stick fighting

Maasai stick fighting

Single fimbo fighting

Article written by Keith Roberts

South African by birth but have worked in a number of African countries. Served in the South African Military and then joined the Natal Parks Board( Government Conservation Body) were I headed up anti poaching, concentrating on Rhino Security. The areas in which I worked carry the largest concentration of Black and White Rhino in the world. In these areas we were the law (working for government) and were extremely well armed, trained and equipped. We worked hand in hand with various specialized police units and spent much time on joint training exercises and operations. After some time I moved out of anti poaching into wildlife management and guiding. The wheel has now turned a full circle back to anti poaching and I moved up to Tanzania end of 2004 were I head up the Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF). We are a non-profit conservation fund that assists the government in anti poaching, community upliftment and in wildlife research in a number of Game Reserves scattered around the country. I personally oversee the anti poaching training and operations for our 95 rangers. In Tanzania anti poaching is far more challenging than in South Africa as we are here to assist the Government and as such the rangers do not have powers of arrest or are they allowed to carry a firearm. Each team for its safety has an armed government Game Scout attached. The Game Scouts( 80%) lack of motivation and training is our biggest frustration and stumbling block. It has also led to a number of incidents were the FCF rangers have been seriously wounded in confrontations with poachers. Due to these frustrations it led me on a search for the best CQC system in which to train ourselves to ensure the best protection when the proverbial sh*t hits the fan! The skills Ron trained me in have been passed on to the rangers and have proven very beneficial on more than one occasion. To give you an idea of the number of confrontations we face in a year, in 2006 we arrested 2174 poachers and this year will see around 2500 poachers arrested. The poachers are anything from hard wood timber poachers, to bush meat poachers to elephant poachers. Armed with anything from a spear or poisoned bow and arrow to a black powered muzzleloader or an AK 47.