Istunka,
also known as isgaraac,
is a festival held annually in
Afgooye,
Somalia
Somalia, , Osmanya script: ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐; ar, ุงูุตูู
ุงู, aแนฃ-แนขลซmฤl officially the Federal Republic of SomaliaThe ''Federal Republic of Somalia'' is the country's name per Article 1 of thProvisional Constituti ...
on the
Somali new year.
[Somalia in word and image - Page 23] The tournament was developed during the medieval
Ajuran period, and was centralized in the 19th century under the
Sultanate of the Geledi
The Sultanate of the Geledi ( so, Saldanadda Geledi, ar, ุณูุทูุฉ ุบูุฏู) also known as the Gobroon Dynasty Somali Sultanate: The Geledi City-state Over 150 Years - Virginia Luling (2002) Page 229 was a Somali people, Somali kingdom that rul ...
. Consisting of several teams engaging each other in mock combat, it is celebrated alongside other ceremonies such as Dabshiid.
History
The Istunka tournament was developed in the Middle Ages, during the
Ajuran period. It was celebrated annually on the Somali new year alongside other festivals such as
Nowruz. The martial arts festival later became a centralized tournament under the
Sultanate of the Geledi
The Sultanate of the Geledi ( so, Saldanadda Geledi, ar, ุณูุทูุฉ ุบูุฏู) also known as the Gobroon Dynasty Somali Sultanate: The Geledi City-state Over 150 Years - Virginia Luling (2002) Page 229 was a Somali people, Somali kingdom that rul ...
. During the reign of
Sultan
Sultan (; ar, ุณูุทุงู ', ) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ', meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it ...
Ahmed Yusuf, separate teams were established, each supported by an assembly of poets, female vocalists and dance groups throughout the duration of the contest.
[Lee V. Cassanelli, ''The Shaping of Somali Society: Reconstructing the History of a Pastoral People, 1600-1900'', (University of Pennsylvania Press: 1982), p.271.]
In the modern era, the festival evolved into a local attraction; particularly during the 1970s and 80s. It is still practised annually in the southern
Afgooye region.
Description
The event itself consists of a mock fight between the people residing on each side of the river bed in the town of Afgooye. Symbolizing the defence of one's community and honor, it coincides with the start of the main harvest season. Istunka was originally performed in full combat gear, with battle-axes, swords and daggers. However, for safety reasons, performers later replaced those weapons with large sticks or batons.
See also
*
Culture of Somalia
*
Martial arts
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; a ...
*
Stick fighting
References
{{stick fighting
Ajuran Sultanate
Somali games
African martial arts
19th century in Somalia