Aki Kiti

Aki Kiti is a semi-contact combat sport characterized by kicking and blocking solely using the soles of the feet. It is a traditional sport originating from and was practiced by the headhunter Sümi Naga tribe of Nagaland, India. It is played inside a circular ring on the ground and normally includes two fighters, the objective of the game is to either make the opponent fell on knee, touch the ground with hand, or step outside the playing zone.

Aki Kiti
Also known asAkikiti, Sümi kick fighting
FocusKicking, blocking
HardnessSemi-contact
Country of originIndia
CreatorSümi Naga people
Olympic sportno
MeaningKick fighting

History

Aki Kiti originated as a sport among the headhunter Sümi Naga tribes (now Christian converts) of Nagaland in mountainous northeast India. Originally, it was intended solely as a sporting event that served the purpose of righting wrongs, restoring honour, or "settling scores" between tribes and tribesmen without resorting to violence. It was practiced during tribal ceremonies.[1] Aki Kiti is described in the book The Sema Nagas by anthropologist John Henry Hutton, published in 1922.[2] Aki Kiti means "kick fighting".[3]

Sport

In Aki Kiti, only the sole of the feet can be used, to strike and block the opponent. It is played inside a ring drawn on the ground. The objective of the semi-contact game is to either make the opponent fell in his knee or throw him out of the ring. Front kicks or leaping front kicks are directed to the waist, sides or chest of the opponent. No particular training syllabus exists for the sport, any exercises that can help gain stamina, strength, and flexibility for the fighters are part of the training regime.[1] Usually it is a two-person game, but an expert can challenge two juniors if wanted. The rule forbids kicking the opponent after he is down. Game can also be lost by touching the ground even with a finger.[3]

Modern-day practice

Aphuyemi Akikiti Association was formed in 2014 for promoting and with the intention of reviving the art. They categorised the game as athletics. Since then, Aki Kiti has been competed annually at the Thuwuni Akikiti Championship held at the annual Thuwuni Festival at Pughoboto in November. It is played for three to four minutes with three rounds. Using hand is a foul. In 2018, the association demonstrated Aki Kiti at the Hornbill Festival at Kisama.[4][2]

In the media

In 2008, it was featured in the fourth episode in Series 1 of BBC Three reality TV show Last Man Standing. In the episode titled Sumi Kick Fighting, six athletes from the United Kingdom and United States competed against tribal champions to become the last man standing.[5][6]

See also

References
  1. Crudelli, Chris (October 2008). The Way of the Warrior. Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 23. ISBN 978-1-4053-3750-2.
  2. NT Online (5 December 2018). "Akikiti : The last man standing". Nagaland Today. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  3. Kohima Bureau (8 December 2017). "Way of the Hornbill: Tribes represent the Naga lore in a single event". Eastern Mirror Nagaland. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  4. Correspondent Kohima (6 December 2018). "Sumimartial art demonstration". Nagaland Post. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  5. "Sumi Kick Fighting". BBC. 24 May 2008. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  6. Newsome, Brad (26 January 2012). "Last Man Standing: Nagaland India, Saturday, January 27". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
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