Tarke Bazi or Choub-Bazi: A local game of Iran

Tarke Bazi or Choub-Bazi (stick game or twig game) is one of the ancient, local and martial games found mostly among Iranian nomads and tribes, which is performed in happy events and ceremonies such as wedding parties accompanied by music and dance.  

Tarke Bazi is believed to be originated in the battlefield; but, its nature has been changed over time into a folk dance by adding music and various movements to it that creates a sense of excitement and delight in the audience.  

Tarke Bazi is distinguished from other types of folk dance by the fact that the dancers carry sticks, which they strike together.   

This old ritual known as the wood battle to the Bakhtiari tribe of Iran has been pursued as one of the martial arts of men in the Bakhtiari tribe.

The main feature of this game is its group nature, high excitement and the moods during the game which show the martial and epic aspects of Choub-Bazi.

Another important feature of this game is that no particular pattern is followed in hitting the sticks. Since it is competitive and aggressive, it is danced only by men who are experienced dancers and in pairs before an audience.

To begin the game, there are a group of local music players called Toshmal in Bakhtiari tribe, who invite men to Choub-Bazi by playing the musical instruments.

Choub-Bazi is done with the musical sound of Karna which is a wind instrument. Karna, later, is mixed with the sound of the drum to bring a faster pace to the game.

MM/AG