Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Eleven stickfighters have qualified to enter the gayelle in the National Carnival Commission’s (NCC) 2025 Stickfighting semifinals.
Ten of them—Daniel Barclay, Anthony Cooper, Selwyn John, Ronald Lewis, Learie Licorish, Anderson Marcan, Keston McIntosh, Roddy Ramlogan, Kenson Woods, and Wendell Wright—will be going up against reigning champion Oneil Odle.
On Friday night, the bois men clashed in an intense preliminary round at the Moruga Multipurpose Youth and Sports Facility.
The air pulsed with the infectious rhythm of bongo drums, as hundreds of spectators cheered and shouted for their favourite bois men.
The fierce battles led to a few minor injuries, but the energy remained high. At one point, a stick flew out of a fighter’s hands, sending the crowd into a frenzy, their excitement fuelled by the pounding beat of the drums and the raw intensity of the gayelle.
As the NCC announced its results early Saturday morning, however, several longstanding bois men of Moruga expressed doubts that the art form was being adequately preserved, saying too many fighters were now focused on money rather than the love of the culture.
Kwasi Swamber, son of the late legendary fighter Karl Swamber, said despite their skill and willingness to put their safety at risk, stickfighters were not treated with respect.
“It’s only around Carnival time they treat us nice, but throughout the year, they don’t care for us. The art form is dying. Nowadays, everyone looks at stickmen as nobody. They don’t treat us good after Carnival,” he said.
He added that playing in a competition also meant too many rules, which affected their ability to engage freely, although he understood the NCC’s efforts to bring the art form to a certain standard.
“There are people who go on stage for big money, and their lives are not at risk. A man could lose his eye. I am an open gayell eman. Competition has too many rules. I understand they keeping it on a level, but I rather the old school,” Swamber said.
The NCC Stickfighting semifinals will take place on Wednesday at the Ojoe Road Recreational Grounds, Sangre Grande, starting at 7 pm.
