View source for Tahtib

{{Short description|Egyptian martial art and folk dance}}

{{Infobox martial art | logo = | logocaption = | logosize = | image = رجال مصريون من صعيد مصر يمارسون لعبة التحطيب.jpg | imagecaption = Egyptian men playing tahtib, 2019 | imagesize = | name = | native_name = | native_name_lang= | aka = ''fan a'nazaha wa-tahtib'' | focus = [[weaponry]]| hardness = | country = [[Upper Egypt]] | creator = | formation = | famous pract = | parenthood = | ancestor arts = | descendant arts = | related arts = [[stickfighting]] | olympic = | website = | meaning = ''the art of being straight and honest through the use of stick''| martialart = }}

{{Life in Egypt}}

[[File:Egypte louvre 105.jpg|thumbnail|Image of two [[ancient Egypt]]ian men practicing tahtib on an [[ostracon]]]]

'''Tahtib''' ({{langx|ar|تحطيب|taḥṭīb}}) is the term for a traditional stick-fighting [[martial art]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.egyptos.net/egyptos/actualite-egypte/le-tahtib-un-art-martial-egyptien-pluri-millenaire-vivant.php|title=Le tahtib, un Art martial égyptien pluri millénaire vivant|website=Egyptos}}</ref> originally named ''fan a'nazaha wa-tahtib'' ("the art of being straight and honest through the use of stick").<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.akban.org/wiki/Tahtib|title=Tahtib|website=Akban Ninjutsu Academy}}</ref> The original martial version of tahtib later evolved into an [[baladi|Egyptian folk dance]] with a wooden stick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shira.net/about/tahtib.htm|title=Tahtib and Egyptian Raqs al-Assaya: From Martial Art to Performing Art|website=www.shira.net}}</ref><ref name="‘Tahtib’: The once martial art that turned into a dance">{{cite web|title='Tahtib': The once martial art that turned into a dance|url=https://www.dailynewssegypt.com/2018/05/08/tahtib-martial-art-turned-dance/| access-date=2018-05-08|via=DailyNews}}</ref> It is commonly described in [[English language|English]] as a "stick dance", "cane dance",<ref>Michael B. Bakan, ''World music: traditions and transformations'', McGraw-Hill, 2007, {{ISBN|978-0-07-241566-7}}, p. 279.</ref> "stick-dancing game", or as ritual [[mock combat]] accompanied by music.<ref>{{cite book|last=Biegman|first=Nicolaas H.|title=Egypt: moulids, saints, sufis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oXwwAAAAYAAJ|year=1990|publisher=Kegan Paul International|isbn=9789061791225 }}</ref> Nowadays, the word ''tahtib'' encompasses both martial practice and performance art. It is mainly practiced today in [[Upper Egypt]]. Tahtib is regularly performed [[Tourism in Egypt|for tourists]] in [[Luxor]]<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK9gWKJfTA4&NR=1 video ] Luxor Egyptian Stick Fighting (Tahtib) tourist exhibition</ref> and [[Aswan]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Lonely Planet|author-link=Lonely Planet|title=The Cities Book: A Journey Through the Best Cities in the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wGCGLEO-Vs8C&pg=PA54|year=2009|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74179-887-6|page=54}}</ref>

The stick used in tahtib is about four feet in length 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 the displacement of air is loudly discernible.

== History ==
[[File:Saho Ra Tahtib - Abou Sir.jpg|right|thumbnail|Engravings at the Abusir necropolis showing scenes of archery, wrestling, and stick fighting]]
The oldest traces of tahtib were found on engravings from the archaeological site of [[Abusir]], an extensive necropolis of the [[Old Kingdom of Egypt|Old Kingdom]] period, located in the south-western suburbs of [[Cairo]]. On some of the reliefs of the Pyramid of Sahure (V dynasty, c. 2500 BC);<ref>T. El Awady, ibid, VI.6.2, p. 208-210 ; D. Farout, ''Tahtib l’art de l’accomplissement et du bâton'', ةgypte Afrique & Orient n° 60 (janvier 2011), p. 67-69.</ref> the images and explanatory captions are particularly precise and accurate in their depiction of what seems to be military training using sticks. Tahtib, with archery and wrestling, was then among the three disciplines of warfare taught to soldiers.
[[File:Egyptian-Stick-Fencing.jpg|right|thumbnail]]
Three of the 35 tombs of the [[Beni Hasan|Beni Hassan]] necropolis (XI-XII Dynasties, 1900 – 1700 BC) near the town of [[Minya, Egypt|Minya]],<ref>[[Percy Newberry|P.E. Newberry]], ' Beni Hassan, Vol. Part 1. London, England: Kegan Paul, Trench, Tubner & Co., Ltd., 1893.</ref> contain engravings showing scenes of tahtib. Similar engravings can be seen in the archaeological site of [[Amarna|Tell el Amarna]] (XVIII Dynasty, 1350 BC),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Davies|first=N. de G.|date=1905 |title=''The rock tombs of El-Amarna'', Part II, Pl. 37-38, (reprinted 2004)|url=http://dlib.nyu.edu/awdl/sites/dl-pa.home.nyu.edu.awdl/files/rocktombsofelama16davi/rocktombsofelama16davi.pdf|access-date=16 May 2021|publisher=[[Egypt Exploration Society]]}} {{ISBN|0-85698-160-5}}</ref> some 60&nbsp;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 Kingdom of Egypt|New Empire]] (1500 – 1000 BC), as shown by the engravings on the walls of [[Luxor]] and [[Saqqara|Saqqâra]]<ref>W. Decker, ''Sports and games of Ancient Egypt'', Yale, 1992, p. 83, pl. 52 ; J. A. Wilson, ''Ceremonial Games of the New Kingdom '', JEA 17 (1931), p. 211-220</ref> Early Christian writings mention tahtib as a leisure activity and a popular art performed by men 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 originally 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 (instrument)|mizmar]] (folk oboe).<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8wbt2R-oCs video ] Tahtib street performance on bass drum and Mizmar backstage</ref> The right hand uses a heavier stick with a hooked head to beat out the ''dum'' (the deep sound from striking the center of the drum) which drive 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<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra4ryqV93gg video] 1st demo ever at Martial Arts Int'l Festival Paris 2010</ref> is an attempt to re-explore the sources of tahtib as a fighting art, and to enrich them as a martial practice<ref>Adel Paul Boulad, 
''Modern tahtib : bâton de combat égyptien'', Budo-Eds, 2014, {{ISBN|2846173389}}, p. 279., {{ISBN|978-2846173384}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tahtib.com/media%7Carticles%7CNaissance%20de%20Modern%20Tahtib|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715131937/http://www.tahtib.com/media%7Carticles%7CNaissance%20de%20Modern%20Tahtib|url-status=dead|title=Nevia|archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> by codifying the techniques and teaching them structurally. As in traditional tahtib, the main target is the opponent's head, as it is considered the most fragile and vulnerable part of the body. Consequently, techniques revolve around protecting one's own 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 both women<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://video-streaming.orange.fr/sports-extreme/tahtib-event-introductory-course-for-science-po-paris-students_18767090.html|title=Vidéo: Stage de Tahtib à l'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris}}</ref> and men to practice in mixed groups.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2014/05/16/le-tahtib-tout-en-baton_4419533_3242.html|title=Le tahtib, tout en bâton|date=May 16, 2014|via=Le Monde}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Martial arts}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Angampora]]
*[[Arnis]]
*[[Banshay]]
*[[Bartitsu]]
*[[Bataireacht]]
*[[Bōjutsu]]
*[[Gatka]]
*[[Jūkendō]]
*[[Kalaripayattu]]
*[[Kendo]]
*[[Kenjutsu]]
*[[Krabi–krabong]]
*[[Kuttu Varisai]]
*[[Mardani khel]]
*[[Moresca]]
*[[Silambam]]
*[[Silambam Asia]]
*[[Stick dance (African-American)]]
*[[Thang-ta]]
*[[Varma kalai]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=VF0LAAAAIAAJ Beni Hasan (with plates) by Percy Newberry, et al.]
*[http://www.archaeowiki.org/Beni_Hasan Beni Hasan - Archaeowiki.org]
*[https://openlibrary.org/books/OL14039904M/The_rock_tombs_of_El_Amarna N. de G. Davies's "Rock Tombs of El Amarna", in openlibrary.org]
{{Commons category}}

{{Martial arts}}

[[Category:Stick-fighting]]
[[Category:African martial arts]]
[[Category:Asian martial arts]]
[[Category:Sport in Egypt]]
[[Category:Sports originating in Egypt]]
[[Category:Egyptian dances]]
[[Category:Culture of Egypt]]