The Art of Kalinda - Kalinda Collective x Idakeda Group

‘Mas is dance and fight’ So said the late great Black Indian masquerader Narrie Approo. No other energy reflects the connection between warriorhood and Carnival than the martial tradition of stick fighting or kalinda. Kalinda is a stick based martial tradition found in Trinidad and other parts of the Caribbean. As with Brazil’s capoeira, stick fighters were on the frontline of resistance against colonial authorities’ attempts to stamp out and criminalize African cultural forms in the post Emancipation period.

The Art of Kalinda workshop is a lecture demonstration exploring the history of stick fighting and the contemporary applications of these traditions to conflict resolution, restorative justice and self-reflection. The workshop is led by martial artist and chantwell, Keegan Taylor of Kalinda Collective and Attillah Springer of Idakeda Group, producers of Kambule the ritual re-enactment of the 1881 Canboulay Riots.

Guests: Attillah Springer x Keegan Taylor