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Playable heritage game

Nguni stick-fighting rhythm skirmish

Also known as Intonga · donga

A stick duel from the cattle pastures of southern Africa: one long stick to strike with and one to guard. Here it is a game of touches and footwork, played to a steady beat by the crowd.

Play the previewAbout this tradition
Nguni stick-fighting rhythm skirmish: photograph by South African Tourism from South Africa
Photo: South African Tourism from South Africa, CC BY 2.0, source on Wikimedia Commons
Nguni stick-fighting rhythm skirmish: the game in attract modeLive previewPlay

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How to play

  1. Watch your rival's stance: it shows what he is about to try, and on harder levels he feints.
  2. Tap the move that beats it while the marker crosses the bright zone.
  3. Clean touches score points; a rival who is off balance leaves a touch worth four.
  4. Win two of the three rounds, or lead by nine points to end a round early.
Rules at a glance
  • Only touches score; the contest is played to points and balance.
  • The guard stick blocks a strike and answers with a counter.
  • Tapping again while a move is playing out only tires you.
  • A move answered by its counter fails and costs a little balance.

About the tradition

Stick-fighting has long been practised by herding boys and young men of the Nguni-speaking peoples of southern Africa, who carry one stick to strike with and one to defend. Bouts are held at gatherings such as weddings, under the eye of an experienced referee, and protective gear is little used, so the skill lies in timing and footwork.

Origins

Usually placed in the era of Modern Heritage (1800 to today), although its exact origins are uncertain, within the cultural world of Africa: Southern Africa.

Credits

Sources

Get the app

Nguni stick-fighting rhythm skirmish is one of 18 sports and skill games in the Sports & Skill of the World app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Submitted to the App Store and Google Play; in review. Store links appear here the day it goes live. One app, many traditions, no account needed.

See all 18 sports and skill games in the app

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