Istunka

Istunka
FocusWeapons
Country of origin Somalia
CreatorAjuran Sultanate
Sultanate of the Geledi
Olympic sportno
Somalis in mock combat

Istunka,[1] also known as isgaraac,[2] is a festival held annually in Afgooye, Somalia on the Somali New Year.[3] The tournament was developed during the medieval Ajuran period, and was centralized in the 19th century under the Sultanate of the Geledi. Consisting of several teams engaging each other in mock combat, it is celebrated alongside other ceremonies such as Dabshiid.

  1. ^ "Istunka: A New Year's Ritual". Retrieved 2019-03-19 – via HAMA Association.
  2. ^ Wasaaradda Warfaafinta iyo Hanuuninta Dadweynaha (1974). Somali Culture and Folklore. Ministry of Information and National Guidance. pp. 29–30.
  3. ^ Somalia in word and image - Page 23