Course Description:
In this course, we will focus on the basic principles of two styles of machete fencing found in the African Diaspora: Esgrima con machete a form of machete fencing the originates in Cauca a state located on the Pacific coast of Colombia in a region heavily populated by people of African descent whose ancestors fled into the region to escape slavery and built several free communities called palenques, and Tire Machet is a general term for machete fencing in Haiti. In this course we will explore the Avril family system, a unique style which places a greater emphasis on dynamic footwork, defensive movements as well blade binding.

Required Gear:
Training machete and stick

Course Level:
Beginner and Intermediate Levels

Course Format:
Hands-On

Course Description:
The Stick is a Sword… Hidden in Plain Sight
El Matreg in classical Arabic means ‘the stick or hammer’ is a form of stick fencing practiced in Western Algeria and parts of Morocco.
According to the cheikhs (teachers) the origins of the art is as old as time itself but historically the stick was used as a surrogate for the sword and the movements and training methodology resembles those featured in the Kitāb al-makhzūn jāmiʻ al-funūn (The treasure that combines all arts) 15th century Mamluk military treatise which could possibly shed light on the origins of this artform.
In this class we will be exploring and reconstructing North African swordplay by extracting fencing principles based on the techniques of El Matreg and applying them to two iconic swords from the region: the Nimcha and Flyssa in an effort to better understand swordplay in the Maghreb (Northwest Africa) as well as the weapons and cultures that created them.

Required Gear:
Stick 36 " - 48"
Nimcha
Flyssa
Sabre
Messer
Arming Sword

Course Level:
Beginner and Intermediate Level

Course Format:
Hands-On