{"product_id":"molamu-sticks-lesotho-africa","title":"Molamu Sticks - Lesotho, Africa","description":"\u003cp\u003eMolamu are fighting sticks, also used as walking sticks, traditionally wielded by Basotho shepherds in Lesotho, Africa.  They are typically made from the Mohlware tree, sometimes adorned with decorative tapework or wirework, and are symbolic indicators of manhood within the culture.  In modern times, Basotho men participate in stick fighting training called Ho Kalla; but these bouts are highly supervised because a hefty Molamu blow to the skull can be fatal.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMembers of Team KIL were able to procure some of these Molamu Sticks during their travels to Lesotho, Africa.  While many flamboyantly decorated lightweight sticks were available to purchase for souvenirs, we were only interested in the heavy duty Molamu Sticks from local weapons makers.  As Team KIL went from market to market acquiring as many genuine Molamu that were available, local residents started to follow them around, assuming that they were about to see a serious fight; for that is the only reason to buy Molamu in Lesotho. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe brought back several variations of these heavy duty Molamu Sticks.  All were made by Basotho weapons makers, and we did not alter their craftsmanship in any way.  The scuffs on the molamu tips are normal, as they are stored tip down on the ground in Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScan over each photo to find the Molamu Stick that is perfect for you.  See each length, diameter, and weight in the dropdown menu.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"html-div xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"html-div xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-ad-rendering-role=\"story_message\" class=\"html-div xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x1iorvi4 xjkvuk6 x1ye3gou xn6708d\" data-ad-comet-preview=\"message\" data-ad-preview=\"message\" id=\"«Rlaimqaqdfiqapapd5aqH2»\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x78zum5 xdt5ytf xz62fqu x16ldp7u\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"xu06os2 x1ok221b\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"html-div xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe molamu are additional indicators of one's adult male status, and each are visual expressions of both practical and esoteric Sesotho ideals. The molamu is a stick that was formerly made from the mohlware tree ( Olea africana ), and is often adorned with wirework, the art of which is viewed as a male activity. Molamu are viewed as a sign of manhood, and all male initiates carry one upon their return from the mophatô . The molamu is used to teach initiates the methods of ho ya ka lanwa , which is a historical Sesotho martial art. At present date molamu are typically made using the branches of a tree called lepere , which bears fruit similar to the pear. The sticks are cut and left to dry for one year, during which time they shrink and harden, making them formidable weapons and walking sticks, and allowing the decorative wirework to remain in place. Although this ornamentation is visually stunning, it is also used to bind empowering medicines, or moriana, to the staff, which affects the seriti of the owner. As a symbol of one's social status, one informant put it best by stating that \"no one would mess with this guy (holding a molamu). They know he's from the mountains. They know he knows how to handle himself.\"\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"xabvvm4 xeyy32k x1ia1hqs x1a2w583 x6ikm8r x10wlt62\" data-visualcompletion=\"ignore-dynamic\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x1n2onr6\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x6s0dn4 xi81zsa x78zum5 x6prxxf x13a6bvl xvq8zen xdj266r xat24cr xkhd6sd x4uap5 x80vd3b x1q0q8m5 xso031l x16n37ib xq8finb x10b6aqq x1yrsyyn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x1c4vz4f x2lah0s xci0xqf\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x9f619 x1ja2u2z x78zum5 x2lah0s x1n2onr6 x1qughib x1qjc9v5 xozqiw3 x1q0g3np xykv574 xbmpl8g x4cne27 xifccgj x123j3cw xs9asl8\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kombat Instruments Limited","offers":[{"title":"A - 35-1\/2\" x 1\" - 1lb10oz","offer_id":42090523918425,"sku":"A","price":400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"B - 37\" x 1\" - 1lb6oz","offer_id":42090523951193,"sku":"B","price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"C - 36-1\/2\" x 1\" - 1lb6oz","offer_id":42090523983961,"sku":"C","price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"D - 33-3\/4\" x 7\/8\" - 14oz","offer_id":42090524016729,"sku":"D","price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"E - 38-1\/2\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb12oz","offer_id":42090524049497,"sku":"E","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"F - 38\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb12oz","offer_id":42090524082265,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"G - 38\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb12oz","offer_id":42090524115033,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"H - 38\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb12oz","offer_id":42090524147801,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"I - 37-1\/2\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb12oz","offer_id":42090524180569,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"J - 37-1\/2\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb10oz","offer_id":42090524213337,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"K - 38-1\/4\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb10oz","offer_id":42090524246105,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"L - 37-3\/4\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb10oz","offer_id":42090524278873,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"M - 37-1\/4\" x 1\" - 1lb8oz","offer_id":42090524311641,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"N - 36-1\/2\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb12oz","offer_id":42090524344409,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"O - 36-1\/4\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb12oz","offer_id":42090524377177,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"P - 37\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb12oz","offer_id":42090524409945,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Q - 36\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb8oz","offer_id":42090524442713,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"R - 35-1\/4\" x 1-1\/8\" - 1lb6oz","offer_id":42090524475481,"sku":"","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1222\/4500\/files\/MolamuSticks1.jpg?v=1735422318","url":"https:\/\/www.bloodsport.com\/products\/molamu-sticks-lesotho-africa","provider":"Kombat Instruments Limited","version":"1.0","type":"link"}