Don Quixote's Enthusiasm for Buhurt
The connection between Hobby and Passion in Communities of Practice
I recently had the privilege of attending a Buhurt competition held at a multi-purpose complex of a local land grant university.
Their versatile facility is designed to accommodate a variety of events and functions— it serves as both a livestock arena and an expo center. And in this grand setting, on a dirt floor, I witnessed a competition that was an unforgettable experience.
I was delighted and privileged to get a glimpse into the passionate and dedicated world of Buhurt.
Buhurt is a medieval-style full-contact combat sport conducted in a ring. Participants wear metal armor and carry medieval-style weapons, such as poleaxes, halberds, swords, shields, and maces. They engage in melees, as individuals or in teams. The objective of the sport is to be the last person or team standing; the rules are— once you’re down, you have to stay down.
The sport attracts participants from all walks of life, including historical enthusiasts, martial artists, and anyone looking for a unique and challenging new experience involving the opportunity to strike another person and the risk of personal physical injury.
The medieval-styled, custom-crafted armor costs each competitor at least $6000. The rigorous training and preparation required for participants, combined with the strict safety guidelines and regulations, make this sport a test of skill, athleticism, and physical fitness. The tournament format of Buhurt includes one-on-one duels, team fights, and battles with up to thirty-two fighters in the ring at the same time.
While watching the Buhurt match, I marveled at the spirited and honorable nature of the competition. I whimsically imagined that Don Quixote would have been drawn to the medieval-style combat of Buhurt.
Don Quixote's interest in the sport might stem from his desire to live out the ideals of chivalry, to prove himself as a true knight, and to test his skills and bravery in a controlled and safe environment.
I imagined that Don Quixote’s romanticized view of the world may have led him to see Buhurt as a way to bring the ideals of chivalry to life and to experience the thrill of medieval combat.
The point is that there’s a lesson worth examining — it’s in the connection between the reasons for doing things and the identity and purpose of the individual doing the thing.
Our personal beliefs, values, experiences, and goals significantly influence our motivations for doing things.
When our values align with these things, they lead to fulfilling experiences and feelings of authenticity. Hobbies (e.g. Buhurt or a craft practice) play a crucial role in allowing people to express themselves, build relationships, and find meaning and satisfaction in their daily life.
The passion of the Buhurt community provides insight into the richness of hobbies and interests, and reflecting upon this community objectively from the outside can help craft communities better understand themselves.
How do craft communities of practice look to professional practitioners from the outside?
What would anthropologists discover in a study of our various craft-related communities of practice?
If we can reflect on Buhurt objectively, perhaps, we can examine our own community’s quirks from a renewed perspective.
As a hobby and a sport, Buhurt provides an exciting way for people to connect with others who share their interests; that’s what communities of practice are all about. And in this example, the intersection of hobby and passion in communities of practice highlights the importance of being intentional and reflective about why we do what we do.
It is important to understand how our motivations shape our sense of self, our purpose, and how we define ourselves in terms of our external identities; the connection is in meaning, purpose, and passion— and how these core concepts are integral to maintaining an authentic sense of happiness.