Tahtib is the term for a traditional stick-fighting martial art originally named fan a’nazaha wa-tahtib, “the art of being straight and honest through the use of stick”. The original martial version of tahtib later evolved into an Egyptian folk dance with a wooden stick. It is commonly described in English as a “stick dance”, “cane dance”, “stick-dancing game”, or as ritual mock combat accompanied by music. Nowadays, the word tahtib encompasses both martial practice and performance art. It is mainly practised today in Upper Egypt. Tahtib is regularly performed for tourists in Luxor and Aswan.
The stick used in tahtib is about four feet long and is called an asa, asaya, assaya, or nabboot. It is often flailed in large figure-eight patterns across the body with such speed that air displacement is loudly discernible.
History of stick fighting
The oldest traces of stick fighting were found on engravings from the archaeological site of Abusir, an extensive necropolis of the Old Kingdom period located in the southwestern suburbs of Cairo. On some of the reliefs of the Pyramid of Sahure (V dynasty, c. 2500 BC), the images and explanatory captions are exact and accurate in depicting what seems to be military training using sticks. Tahtib, with archery and wrestling, was among the three disciplines of warfare taught to soldiers.
Three of the 35 tombs of the Beni Hassan necropolis (XI-XII Dynasties, 1900 – 1700 BC) near Minya’s town contain engravings showing tahtib scenes. Similar engravings can be seen in the archaeological site of Tell el Amarna (XVIII Dynasty, 1350 BC), some 60 km south of Minya. In addition to its role as military training, tahtib matches were also popular among peasants and farmers. The first evidence of the festive representation of tahtib can only be seen in the New Empire (1500 – 1000 BC), as shown by the engravings on the walls of Luxor and Saqqâra. Early Christian writings mention tahtib as a leisure activity and a famous man art performed during weddings and celebrations. It is believed that tahtib developed as a game or performance art in this civilian context.
Performance
As with its combative counterpart, the dance form of tahtib was initially performed by men, but female versions were later developed. In one form, the women dress as men and imitate the males. Another female variant is performed flirtatiously and with less aggression. The latter, called Ra’s el assaya (dance of the stick), is incorporated into cabaret or Raqs sharqi performances. The stick used for this dance is generally more lightweight and hooked at one end, like a cane. It is often embellished with metallic-coloured foil or sequins. The costume is a simple Baladi dress. Performances include balancing the cane on the head, hip or shoulder.
Music
Music in tahtib features the tabl (bass drum) and mizmar (folk oboe). The right hand use a heavier stick with a hooked head to beat out the dum (the deep sound from striking the centre of the drum), which drives the heartbeat of the rhythm, while the left hand uses a light twig as a switch to produce rapid-fire staccato “taks” (the higher sound from striking the edge of the drum).
Modern tahtib
Modern tahtib is an attempt to re-explore the sources of tahtib as a fighting art and enrich them as a martial practice by codifying the techniques and teaching them structurally. As in traditional tahtib, the main target is the opponent’s head, considered the body’s most fragile and vulnerable part. Consequently, techniques revolve around protecting one’s head while reaching the head of the opponent. Victory can be attained either by a single clean touch to the head or three touches to the body. Unlike its traditional counterpart, modern tahtib allows women and men to practice in mixed groups.
