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Grima: the machete fencing of Puerto Tejada — Level A1 — A woman poses in a dress by a window.

Grima: the machete fencing of Puerto TejadaCEFR A1

19 Apr 2025

LevelA1A2B1B2

Adapted from Rowan Glass, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0

Photo by J̶o̶h̶n̶n̶y̶ Sántiz, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
74 words
  • In Puerto Tejada people practice grima every day.
  • Grima is an old machete fencing art.
  • Masters teach the moves and the history.
  • The art comes from African ancestors in Colombia.
  • Players use a machete in one hand.
  • They use a stick for defence in the other.
  • The machete was also used in past fights.
  • Grima links to food, music and medicine.
  • Fewer young people learn grima now.
  • Masters teach at the House of Cacao.

Difficult words

  • machete — a large knife used for cutting plants
  • fencing — a sport or art with sword moves
  • master — an expert teacher of a skill or art
    Masters
  • ancestor — family members who lived long before
    ancestors
  • defence — the action to stop danger or attack
  • medicine — substances or practices to help people heal

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Would you like to learn grima?
  • Have you learned an old art from your family?

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