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Forteza is excited to welcome back our dear friend and renowned Historical African Martial Arts Instructor : Da'mon Stith! Da'mon will be joining us for a Sunday HAMA Workshop, featuring an introduction and deep-dive on Boxing & Machete! Each class will be about 2.5hrs with a bit of a break in between. 1:00pm-3:30pm : ‘Throw Hands’ Weaponized Boxing in Africa and Diaspora
Indigenous pugilism in Africa is deeply rooted in weapon-based arts, often inspired by the use of a shield alongside edged or impact weapons such as swords, sticks, clubs, axes, knives, or spears. This concept reflects the martial realities of ancient societies, where shields were integral to combat, and striking techniques mirrored the movements of weapon use. In this workshop, we will explore indigenous boxing arts that embody these principles, focusing on styles like Dambe from Nigeria, Zuar wrist-knife fighting from Sudan, and Kandeka slap-boxing from Angola, each offering unique insights into the connection between unarmed and armed combat traditions.
3:30pm-6:00pm : Ikiri Ada: The Restless Machete
Ikiri Ada, meaning "the Restless Machete" in Yoruba, is my personal machete fencing style—a unique fusion of diverse traditions from across the African Diaspora, designed for personal defense and self-expression. In this class, we will explore the foundational principles, movements, and techniques of several machete fencing styles, including:
Esgrima y Machete (Colombia)
Tire Machet (Haiti)
Garrote (Venezuela)
Kokobale (Puerto Rico)
Participants will gain insight into the core elements of each tradition and discover how they complement and connect, forming a cohesive and dynamic approach to machete fencing.
PRICE : $70 for the whole day
REQUIRED GEAR :
Having your own spears, machete trainers, and bucklers are welcome if you have it. Some loaner gear will be available!
Please reach out to us at [email protected] for any comments, questions, or concerns.
Date: January 12, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Location: Main Location
4437 N Ravenswood Ave
Chicago, IL 60640 US
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
4437 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL, United States, Illinois 60640
