Exploring stick licking as a cultural form of Barbados

1. 1
Anderson La Barrie
Cultural Form - Stick Licking
Introduction: Many persons may compare stick licking to stickfighting that exists in Trinidad and
Tobago. They are, in fact, different.
Unlike stickfighting/ kalinda that is practiced in Trinidad and Tobago and a few other
countries, stick licking is unique to Barbados and requires its own method of preparation
for the activity.
Stick Licking History
Not much is known about when stick licking was first practiced in Barbados. It has, however, been
linked to various African tribes in Angola (Ibo) who would often use sticks in cattle herding. These
sticks were also used as a form of protection from predators. The actions resemble Japanese martial arts
rather than the combative type style practiced in stickfighting/ kalinda and Bajans boasts of its structure
and organized teachings of the artform. The contests are called seitus (sit- twos) and many of these take
place during Crop Over celebrations during the "Bridgetown Market".

2. 2
Anderson La Barrie
https://youtu.be/_UPsuBdSxMg
Look at the video
for more
information on
stick licking in
Barbados.
Differences between Stick Licking and Stickfighting
Stick licking Stickfighting/ Kalinda
Unique to Barbados Found in Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti
No spiritual preparation for the stick
Sticks are often 'mounted' (spiritual preparation) before they are
used
Stick held in one hand (dominant hand) Held with both hands
Organized teaching with multiple variations of forms and
structure
Movements are developed through practice and experiences
Stick Licking styles
https://notesmaster.h5p.com/content/1291527736273729547

3. 3
Anderson La Barrie
Complete the crossword below
https://notesmaster.h5p.com/content/1291527717025141537
Activity:
1. Think about the movements and elements associated with stick licking and explore ways they can be used
in the development of a playmaking piece.
2. You are provided with the opportunity to share your knowledge on stick licking with a class of younger
students. Create a presentation to reflect what you have learned.

4. 4
Anderson La Barrie
Stick licking is still practiced in Barbados and is unique to this country.
There are a number of styles, just a few still practiced at this time.
References and Attributions
Barbados in motion, 2021. Information extra- Stick Licking: The artform, Barbados. viewed on 31/12/2021.
https://youtu.be/fxanVGVGwIA.
Drayton digital, 2019, Bajan stick licking, a brief history. Viewed on 31/12/2021. https://youtu.be/_UPsuBdSxMg
Noel, K., Ryman, C., Noel, A., 2013. Theatre Arts for CSEC with SBA, study guide and exercises. Carlong Publishers
This note is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License