LOST TRIBE brought the gayelle energy to the city even as the real clash of sticks was underway in the rural Moruga village, as boismen (stickfighters) battled for a place in the National Stickfighting semifinals.
While there were no bloodied, battered or bruised bodies in sight, Feteyard paid homage to Trinidad and Tobago’s stickfighting legacy, also known as kalinda, by curating an experience for patrons that sought to harness the rhythmic, spiritualistic essence of this African tradition.
Against the backdrop of the Port of Spain skyline, the event on February 14 at Ansa car park, St Vincent Street –the nucleus of the fete – was a literal gayelle or stickfighting arena. It was here patrons screamed the lyrics to their favourite songs, danced, waved and pounded the gayelle floor as they enjoyed performances from top soca artistes including Yung Bredda, Mical Teja, Ding Dong, Coutain, Full Blown and Fay-Ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin.
[caption id="attachment_1141969" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Stickfighters take a "bois" dance.[/caption]
Traditionally before a fight, the gayelle is sealed with puncheon rum to ward off spirits. While I did not observe this ritual taking place, the cooler fete had rum aplenty to possibly keep a legion of bad spirits away. The moko jumbies present, thankfully, seemed to remain unharmed.
The event, which typically encourages patrons to make a fashion statement reflecting traditional Carnival themes, saw feters showcasing their stickfighter swag. Bandanas, decorated bois (sticks) and chopsticks were among accessories of choice, while some patrons went all out – creating custom outfits, many of which seemed inspired by martial arts and, in some instances, even hinted at people’s favourite anime shows.
[caption id="attachment_1141968" align="alignnone" width="905"] Energy at the cooler fete.[/caption]
Patrons also had the option to purchase merchandise featuring varying bold prints like "Bois Man In De Road” and “Kambule,” at a well-stocked booth at the event.
Kevon Samuel, who has been attending Feteyard since its inception in 2023, didn’t have to work too hard to fit the theme.
[caption id="attachment_1141967" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Patrons enjoy the music.[/caption]
“My design process was just seeing what pieces I had in my closet that fitted the theme, putting it together and see what works.”
Performances kicked off with Kambule, a presentation that encapsulated the energy of kalinda as it featured drumming, chanting and movement that is a staple at stickfighting and the Canboulay re-enactment on Carnival Friday.
Choreographed by Newsday columnist and founder of the Idakeda Group Dara Healy, the presentation featured both male and female stickfighters – a novelty, as stickfighters are usually exclusively male.
There was no lull in entertainment as patrons waited for the performances from artistes.
The 2024 Road March winner, Mical Teja, reignited the energy from the crowd with his aptly titled 2025 offering, Energy.
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