Study on Huka-huka: a fight of Brazilian indigenous matrix

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Brazil has its typical martial arts, both indigenous and African. Huka-huka is a predominantly indigenous struggle and has little scientific information available, with very few documents reporting its characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research is to document the cultural historical aspects of the Huka–huka struggle, describing its history, exploring the cultural and social aspects that involve it and presenting the organization, rules and techniques.

METHODS: As literature review research, the data collection came from the literature and official documents through the database Scopus, Scielo, Science Direct, Academic Google. The keywords “Fight” AND “Huka-kuka” and “Fight” AND “Huka-kuka” were selected. Articles published the second half of 2021, in Portuguese or English, were considered.

RESULTS: [a] The name Huka-huka alludes to the sound of fighters imitating the jaguar’s roars; [b] The Huka-huka struggle involves a religious ceremony, and its practice involves precepts considered relevant to the personal formation of male and female indigenous youth; [c] The fight begins with the host fighter choosing his opponent, who stands upright as he approaches. The two begin to turn in circles approaching making the noise of a jaguar. The fight wins whoever drops the opponent from the supine or prone position, or lifts him completely off the ground, or one of the warriors gives up, or when held behind one or both of the opponent’s knees for 3 and 5 seconds, or when he dominates the back of the opponent, from above, making the latter stay with the hands and knees on the floor.

CONCLUSION: The findings in this study indicate that HH has a high level of participation and involvement of the indigenous community, and can be understood as a spectacle, however, HH art needs more recognition by educational and scientific society.