Kalinda in Crisis

The National Carnival Commission (NCC) shock cancellation of the stick fighting competition in 2020 after a disagreement over the payment of fees to the fighters could not be resolved still reverbarates. Bois men complained then, that despite their skill, and willingness to put their safety at risk, they are not treated with respect. Some believe the cancellation of the competition signalled the beginning of the end for the indigenous martial art. The murder of champion stickfighter David Matthew Brown months later did little to allay concerns