Fann el Nazaha Wal Tahtib is the arabic full term that represents righteousness and honesty through using the stick. This is the underlying legend of the art known as Tahtib. Technically speaking Tahtib is a derivation of Hatab which signifies wood or a stick. Tahtib is a development that incorporates the ‘way of’ or the ‘art of’.
Tahtib can be dated back four millenia ago. Tahtib is engraved on the walls of three tombs of monarchs from ancient Egyptian dynasties amongst the site of Beni Hasan.
To the ancients, dance was an integral part of culture. All classes of citizens were nurtured into using music and dance as a way of life. Street workmen used the rhythm and percussion to work. Street dancers were a regular form of entertainment. Groups of dancers could be rented for dinner festivals, and even religious occasions at temples. Women of wealthy harems were also schooled in these art forms. However, no wealthy Egyptian would choose to dance in public, as that was the act of the working classes. Wealthy Egyptians had slaves to entertain them with dancing. Egypt is reported to have a large influence on the development of the belly dance.
Stick fencing was a form of entertainment for the ancient civilisations. This past time was based on real fighting systems that were used in wars with swords and shields. This system then developed according to its own rules. The stick is likely to have been purely used as a training method or for sport. The reality is that this has contributed greatly to the Egyptian culture.