Gatka

Tanoli tribesmen performing Gatka in northern Pakistan.

Gatka is a martial art most commonly practiced in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. Though today generally identified with Punjabi Sikhs, it has traditionally been created by the Sikh gurus during the time of religious turmoil in India.

The word Gatka properly refers to the wooden sticks which were originally used for sparring in this sport although now a range of other weapons are also employed.

Gatka can be practiced either as a contact sport (khel) or ritual/ceremonial demonstration (rasmi).