Fire staff
A fire staff is a staff, constructed out of wood or metal with Kevlar wicking added to one or both ends. Fire staffs are used for fire dancing and performance.
Typically speaking, a single fire staff is exchanged between the two hands and swung around the body, creating patterns of fire. It is also possible to spin or juggle multiple staffs.
Styles
There are two predominant styles of fire staff performance: traditional and contact. In traditional fire staff, hands are used to manipulate the motion and rotation of the staff. Traditional staff often has a more "combat" feel to it, with the staff being swung around in a weapon-like manner although performers may choose to use traditional fire staff techniques to dance fluidly. In contrast, contact fire staff has a more fluid feel, as this style employs rolling the staff over parts of the body, moving with the rotation to keep the staff in the air and in motion.
Construction
Fire staffs can vary in length, weight, balance, wick arrangements and combinations. A staff can range anywhere from a half-metre in length to two or more metres. Fire staffs contrast from fire knives in that their centre of balance rests in the middle of their length. The most common wick arrangement for a fire staff is two wicks of equal size and density on either end of the staff. However, multiple wicks may be placed on the staff, and may even be placed "out of balance", displacing the point of equilibrium. A "fire staff" with wicks on only one end of the staff, is not a fire staff - it is either a fire spear or fire spade, both of which employ vastly different movement styles than fire staff
Dragon staff
One of the more extreme wick arrangements for fire staff is the "Dragon staff". With a cross of four or more wicks, right before the terminating wick, on each end of the staff, the dragon staff is able to create incredibly intricate patterns. A Dragon staff is considered mainly a contact staff and requires a different set of skills to manipulate because of the larger ends and the constant rotation or rolling of the staff.
Fire staff instruction
Fire staff technique is taught around the world at fire dance festivals, workshops and retreats. Instructional DVD's and online videos are also available. Notable Instructors include MCP (contact staff), Lester Mooney (traditional & contact staff) and Cirque du Soleil Fire Dancer Srikanta Barefoot (traditional and contact staff).
Burnoff
A burnoff is a move (generally the first move) performed by a fire staff performer. The move is performed by rolling the staff along the outstretched palm (say the right hand) using the left hand to push the staff out. Burnoff is permitted by excess fuel in the wicks. The aim when performing a burnoff is to roll the staff as fast as possible (causing the fuel to spray from the wick), making a flash fireball at either end of the staff. It is advisable when performing this move that the staff is not thrown up, but kept as close to hand level as possible, thus reducing the spread of the spray.
Circular
Moving one's hands off center of the staff, causing the staff to turn 180 degrees, making a fireball circle.
Helix
Holding the staff horizontally in the helicopter position and throwing up while rolling off the palm, causing the staff to burn off in a helix spin.
References
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