Venezuelan Stick Fighting

Michael J. Ryan is research associate at Binghamton University.

• 1. This is Garrote2. The ‘Civilizing’ of a Nation 3. Sites and Pedagogies of Garrote4. Secrecy and Deception 5. Belonging and the Role of Honor 6. Forging the Warriors Habitus7. The Creation of a National Patrimony8. Final Thoughts

Venezuelan Stick Fighting provides the first in-depth anthropological study of Garrote. Michael Ryan’s outstanding study comes from years of committed practice, interviews with the most famous players, and a continuous dialogue with the broader field of traditional martial arts.