Bajan Stick Licking: A Sweet Tradition in Barbados

On a humid afternoon at the Way of Life Tai Chi School in Barbados, Erskine ‘Sammy’ Husbands demonstrates a sequence of movements that look nothing like tai chi. The strikes are angular, the footwork abrupt. He is practicing stick-licking — a martial art that enslaved Barbadians developed specifically to counter the European broadsword. Fewer than a handful of practitioners remain on the island who can teach it.

This article traces the history of Bajan stick-licking, the near-loss of its knowledge, and the efforts of Husbands and his mentor Elvis Gill to document the Johnson Method — the first written record of a Barbadian martial art in the island’s history. It covers where you might still see the practice, why it matters to Barbadian cultural identity, and what travellers should understand before seeking it out.

Stick-Licking: Barbados’ Indigenous Martial Art

Stick-licking, also called stick science, is a combat system unique to Barbados. Unlike the stick-fighting traditions found elsewhere in the Caribbean — which often involve ritualised bouts between two opponents — the Bajan style was designed for a specific purpose: to defeat a European soldier wielding a broadsword or saber. The Johnson Method, named after the enslaved man who created it, is the most practical of Barbados’ combat systems, according to Husbands.

The art was passed down exclusively through oral history and practical training. No written documentation existed until Husbands and Gill collaborated on Introduction To The Johnson Method, Barbados Stick Science Volume 1, released on Amazon in 2021. It is the first-ever manual on a Barbados martial art in the country’s history.

Husbands, a Physical Educator and Tai Chi Instructor, met his mentor Elvis Gill — one of the last stick-lickers from his era — through a workshop at the Way of Life Tai Chi School. Gill gave Husbands one-on-one private sessions, grooming him to be an instructor in the Johnson Method. The book they produced together was created to showcase Barbadian culture and document the history of stick science.

Where Stick-Licking Survives Today

Stick-licking is not performed at hotels, nor is it part of the standard Oistins Fish Fry entertainment. As a child, Husbands recalls seeing it only in a performative setting around festival times, with highlights shown on television. Outside those moments, the practice was almost dormant.

Today, very few stick-lickers remain on the island. Husbands has called on the Government of Barbados to make stick-licking legal for the preservation of the indigenous martial art — a request that underscores how marginalised the practice has become. He believes it can be revived as a sport, recreation, and educational tool, but the numbers are not there yet.

Since promoting the book launch, Husbands has posted videos on YouTube and Instagram. Locals and non-Barbadians have been messaging him. When shooting the videos, he would encourage others to come and give it a try — and they enjoyed it. But these are sporadic sessions, not a regular class schedule.

Practical Planning for the Curious Traveller

If you are determined to learn about stick-licking during a visit to Barbados, you need to adjust your expectations. This is not a bookable tour. It is a living tradition with a single active advocate and his aging mentor.

Getting There

The Way of Life Tai Chi School is located in Barbados. No public transport route directly serves it; you will need a rental car or taxi. Plan for a round trip from Bridgetown of roughly an hour, depending on traffic.

Best Time to Visit

There is no stick-licking season. Your chances of seeing a demonstration are highest during Crop Over festival, when traditional performances are more common. Outside that window, contact Husbands directly and hope your dates align with a workshop.

On the Ground: What to Know Before You Go

Cultural Context

Stick-licking was one of the practices during the life of enslaved people. The Johnson style was created by a slave specifically to combat and beat the European broadsword. The style only came out in revolts, used to fight for freedom and equality. This is not a recreational pastime — it is a martial art born from resistance.

Barbados has more than one stick-licking style, but the Johnson Method is the most practical of the island’s combat systems. Understanding this distinction matters if you speak with locals about the tradition. Referring to it as “stick-licking” is correct; calling it “fighting” or “brawling” misses the technical precision of the art.

Packing and Preparation

If you manage to arrange a session, bring your own stick. Husbands may have spares, but do not rely on it. A wooden dowel roughly the thickness of a broom handle and about three feet long is appropriate. Wear long trousers and closed-toe shoes. The footwork involves sudden directional changes, and the ground at the school may be uneven.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bajan Stick-Licking

Is stick-licking the same as kalinda or other Caribbean stick-fighting?

No. While other Caribbean islands have stick-fighting traditions, the Bajan Johnson Method was designed specifically to counter the European broadsword. The techniques, footwork, and target areas are distinct. Treating them as interchangeable would be inaccurate.

Can tourists learn stick-licking during a short visit?

Probably not. There is no regular class schedule, and the number of instructors is extremely limited. If you are serious, contact Husbands weeks in advance and be prepared to adjust your itinerary. A single session will not make you proficient, but it will give you context for the art’s complexity.

Why is stick-licking not more widely known in Barbados?

The practice was passed down orally and was nearly dormant for decades. Husbands saw it only at festival times as a child. The lack of documentation and the small number of surviving practitioners meant the knowledge almost disappeared. The 2021 book is an attempt to reverse that.

Is stick-licking legal in Barbados?

Husbands has called on the government to make stick-licking legal for preservation purposes. The legal status of the practice itself is unclear, which is part of why it has not been formally taught in schools or public institutions.

What is the best way to support the preservation of stick-licking?

Buying the Johnson Method manual on Amazon directly supports Husbands and Gill’s documentation efforts. Sharing their social media content also helps. Do not attempt to film or photograph a session without explicit permission — this is a cultural practice, not a performance.

Closing

Stick-licking occupies a strange space in Barbadian culture: it is simultaneously a symbol of resistance and a nearly invisible tradition. The fact that it survived at all — passed down through oral history alone, without a single written page until 2021 — says more about the people who preserved it than about the art itself. For the traveller willing to do the legwork, seeking out the last stick-lickers offers a glimpse into a Barbados most visitors never see.

Sources and further reading

Dying tradition but Husbands keeping stick-licking alive. Barbados Today, 2021.

Searching for the Last of the Stick Lickers: A Hoplological Expedition to Barbados. Academia.edu.