[Image: Flickr]When a king feels disrespected, diplomacy flies out the window, and stick fights make a comeback. “We are angry and we will do anything to protect and preserve our cultures,” he declared, according to TimesLive. King Misuzulu never quite spelt out what Xulu said that riled him up, but the king made his grievance crystal clear. Stick fighting (known as umgangela or ukutshayana in Zulu culture) has deep roots in South Africa as both a sport and a rite of passage. Today, while no longer central to daily life, stick fighting endures as a living cultural symbol, a blend of combat, heritage, and performance.