Eskrima is a form of Filipino Martial arts that emphasizes stick and sword fighting. Sometimes referred to as Kali or Arnis de Mano (harness of the hand), Eskrima is believed to have its roots bound to various forms of Filipino fencing techniques.
Eskrima is a discipline based on simplicity. The moves are not overtly flashy or elaborate and are designed to be performed with efficiency and precision. As a result, Escrima is sometimes seen by other martial artists as a "simple" fighting art. This, however, does not change the fact that Eskrima is a very effective and deadly discipline. In fact the simplistic basic moves of the system shroud a very complex structure that takes many years to master.
Several different forms of Eskrima exist and can trace their origins to a single tribe or region. In the United States and Europe, the Inayan System, Sayoc kali, Cabales Serrada Escrima, Lameco Escrima and The Dog Brothers Martial Arts are the popular forms of the art.
Escrima practitioners are traditionally able to fight with weapons or empty hands interchangeably. Most Eskrima systems include fighting with a variety of weapons, striking with hands and fee, grappling and throwing and even biting. These forms of combat come directly from the form used in ancient tribal warfare.
The term Eskrima comes from the Spanish word esgrima, which means “fencing”. Arnis is believed to come from the phrase arnés de mano, Spanish for "harness of the hand". The origin of the name Kali is not certain, although some suggest it is related to the traditional weapon called a kris.
Escrima was developed over a period of many centuries. The people of the Philippines had a history of warding off foreign invaders. Each struggle against a new culture added to the Filipino Martial Arts, as Kali warriors developed techniques to counter, combat and integrate many foreign styles. More than 100 different Filipino Martial Arts styles developed, which can be grouped into three complete self-defense systems which utilize sticks, swords, empty hands and other weapons. The systems are identified as Northern, Southern, and Central.
Eskrima sticks are usually made from rattan, an inexpensive wood that comes from a type of vine in the Philippines. Rattan is lightweight and yet very hard and durable. Rattan shreds when it breaks down rather than splinter the way most woods do—which makes it an ideal training material. Kamagong, or “Ironwood”, is another material that is sometimes used. Eskrima sticks are made in several different sizes depending on the system and the ranges being trained. The most common stick length is about two feet.
Modern day Eskrima classes are primarily weapon-based. The student is first taught to work with weapons and only advances to empty-hand techniques once the stick techniques have been learned. This is the opposite path that most martial arts schools take today.
The stick techniques used in Eskrima fall into two categories: the stick techniques that are designed for sword fighting, and the sword techniques that are designed for stick fighting. As usual, these systems are designed so that the practitioner can adapt their training to either weapon. Other weapons traditionally included in Eskrima training include spears, shields, whips and nunchaku.
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