Tahteeb

Tahteeb is an ancient Egyptian martial art with sticks, which is also
known as the Egyptian folkloric dance. It is considered to be the
oldest and probably the only existing  martial art of ancient Egypt
practiced today. The ancient Egyptians performed Tahteeb in honor
of Pharaohs, which had its own methods and rules. Fighting with
sticks is not used on the battlefield,  it is more used as a training
or sport. Like the other martial arts that are related to the culture
of one nation (refering to mucis and dance), like Brazilian Kapoeira,
Tahteeb is a specific form of  art that combines elements of combat
and the aesthetics of dance.Modern style choreography is performed
on stage performances and festivals in the Middle East.

Ancient Egyptian
hieroglyphs indicate
that Tahtib was
practiced as a
primary style of
fencing in Egyptian
Army. The ruling
families were trained
in advanced style of
Art in the very early
ages. There is no
evidence how
Tahteeb emerged,
but there is evidence of the Pharaoh Menes (3050-2850BC), who united
Egypt in his desire to have the largest army in the world. Apparently, he
called the best warriors from all over Africa, India and several other locations
from the Middle East to train his army. Tahteeb elements can be seen in
several martial arts such as Eskrima (Filipino fighting sticks), Krav Maga,
Muay Thai, Hwa Rang Do, Ninjitsu, etc.

Some assumptions had to be
made to understand Tahteeb.
Rules were probably scarce
and the main learning entailed
endurance and technique, the
main objective was to strike the
head. Several styles were
performed during religious
ceremonies, sports and battle
in ancient Egypt. In present
time Tahteeb is still performed
especially during the month of
Ramadan, the dancers use a
long cane dancing solo or
perform a parody of fighting.
The basics are very similar to
those demonstrated in the African martial arts, the term Naboot refers to the
assistants in both. This style contains a lot of stylistic elements that
express the flow of energy and weight transfer. It can be performed
in several ways:
-like a real martial arts on horseback
-like martial arts on the floor
-a combined dance between men
-as a solo section between men
-as a mimic and seductive version of the real dance, danced by women.

The stick used in Tahtib, called Asa or Asaya, is about 1 m long but when
performed as a martial arts on horseback is about 3 m long.The importance
of horses and elements of combat are shown while performing on dance
floor. Men challenge each other, moving circuit, exchanging strokes as well
as fighting on horseback.One figure in Tahtib is called 'horse ride'. The stick
was introduced as a symbol of masculinity. Although it was initially
danced by men only, sometimes
women danced as well, dressed as
men. Another female version of
dance with a stick was developed
with less aggressive style
incorporated into cabaret or
oriental dance named Raqs
al Assaya. They used thinner,
lighter cane, curved on one side
and decorated with metallic shine
ribbons. Women used simple
Baladi dresses while dancing. Styles  and dance pieces include
balancing a stick on the head, shoulder or hip.