Haitian Machete Fencing at Miami Film Festival

Many often forget that Haitians were the unsung heroes of the emancipation of slavery. They drew bloody victory from their French oppressors, lighting a fire under slaves in other countries who chanced to hear what they had accomplished. Few know, however, that the Haitians did this by developing their own style of fighting, using the very tool that had become a symbol of their oppression. Today, a short film being showcased in Miami tells the story of the Haitian martial art of Tire Machet.

ADVERTISEMENT


Being shown as part of Miami's Borscht Film Festival, the Jonathan David Kane short was screened at the Little Haiti Cultural center and the Adrienne Arsht Center. It tells the story of the first successful slave rebellion that gave birth to the first free black state, and how it was all achieved using what the film's developer, Jason Fitzroy Jeffers, calls the Third World Excalibur. The style incorporates traditional techniques such as French fencing, proto-capoeira, and African stick fighting. Over the years, whole the skill lost its necessity, it continues to be practiced for its fluidity and beauty. The practice has also become a sort of elite sport, in which only trusted community members are trained, and only a few are allowed to witness a session. Today, there is only one master willing to teach the skill to visitors.

To capture the story around the very secretive art, the production team had to venture into Haitian terrain to observe master Alfred Avril, as he was challenged by his opponent, both men fighting with real machetes without a stitch of protection.

Reply to this article

Read more: Machete Fencing, Sport

« Miami Dolphins Louis Delmas glad to be back in North Miami, among Haitians | Main | Haitian soccer player Eloi named coach of FC Miami City Champions »

Return to Articles List

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

E-mail (required, will not be published)

Subject: Haitian Machete Fencing at Miami Film Festival edit

» »

Our objective is to share with you news and information about Haiti and the people of Haiti. Traditions, habits and the way we were  or  grew are alive in this site. We highly recommend that you Subscribe to our Newsletter and also share with us some of the things that are memorable and made us unique people.