African And Native American martial arts

[doors]

I was just wondering is there any African or Native american martial arts. im native american myself and i'm happily doing kuk sool won. but i was just wondering if there is such a thing

[E-Rocker]

There's a West African stick-fighting art called Kalenda (there are various spellings, but the one I used is the one I've seen the most). They still have Kalenda competitions in Trinidad, West Indies. I saw one while I was there. Unfortunately, it was before I knew anything about stickfighting, so I hung out with the drummers providing music for the fights.

[slideyfoot]

I'm sure there are Native American martial arts, particularly considering their long history (not that I know much about it) of idealising and generally admiring hunters, warriors etc.

Same goes for Africa. Apparently, capoeira is technically an African martial art - click here for an article.

Google brought up this:

Egyptian stick fencing, Peul (from Guinea), Massaï (from Kenya), Dioula (from Senegal), Nuba fighting (from Sudan), Canarian fighting, Zulu stick fighting and Kalindi Lyi

[Rhineville]

I have a native (canadian) martial artist friend whos looked into the matter.
I think he found nothing of real distinction, any martial arts training they did wasn't codified or formalized. Plus, most of their fighting was done with weapons... although I think he did mention something about them using an animalistic style of fighting.... kind of like the Norse berserkers they immitated bears and wolves and just went all out on their enemy.

best to research the matter and see for yourself, I (and he) may be wrong

[ap Oweyn]

The only references I've ever heard to Native American martial arts have been from people with experience in other arts as well. So I've always gotten the sense (mind you, it's only a sense) that it was more a question of packaging what they already knew with some Native American trappings.

I remember a series of articles by Harley "Swiftdeer" Reagan on an art he called chulukua. But part of what makes me suspicious is that there's only ever one source on these things. I keep thinking that if chulukua were real, there would be citations for it outside of Reagan's camp.

Maybe there are. I haven't done the research. So maybe you could start there. By researching chulukua.

Good luck.


Stuart

[Thomas]

The latest issue of Black Belt magazine has an article by "Chief Adrian Roman" (can't remember the whole name) who has tried to put together a "Native American" martial art revolving around weapons (knife/club) and unarmed vs weapons skills. I always see his ads for videos and such in the magazine as well. It's a strating point.

[ap Oweyn]

That's the other guy I was trying to remember. Thanks Thomas. He's got a previous background in kenpo if memory serves.

[Martial7]

Peace to all on this thread,


Firstly let me say that Kilinde lyi is not an african martial art ! His name is Ahate Kilindi Lyi and he is world reknowned for african martial arts. I am a student of His brother, Hakemu Jihad Miller. I can't speak on the Native American arts but as far as african martial arts goes they are deadly and most disguised as dances. Yes Capoeria is an African Martial Art as well. If anyone out there wants to get into African Martial arts you can contact me here: SupremeMagnetik7@aol.com

ps: Vita Saana is one in particular to check out

[E-Rocker]

Originally Posted by Martial7

Peace to all on this thread,


Firstly let me say that Kilinde lyi is not an african martial art !

That's not what I was referring to. There *is* an African martial art, also called Kalenda. I studied the culture of Trinidad pretty extensively in college, and one of the things that the West African slaves who were brought to Trinidad to work in the sugarcane fields brought with them was the martial art of Kalenda. It's a stick fighting art done with musical accompaniment (sp?). Steel band music and calypso music both have their roots in Kalenda's musical accompaniment. When I have more time I'll post some info; tonight I've gotta finish a paper for grad school.

Edit: here's a little info on the Kalenda I was referring to:
http://www.osmalandrosdemestretouro....ic.html?pid=10

I'll post some better articles when I have time to find them.

[Matt_Bernius]

Capoeria is not technically an African art. Rather it's an Afro-Brazilian art. Two different things from a cultural perspective.

- Matt

[slideyfoot]

E-Rocker, I think Martial7 was probably referring to my post, as that was merely a list from google posted without any understanding of the actual arts.

There was an ezboard somewhere with a section for African MA, and one guy who seemed pretty knowledgeable, but can't remember what it was called. Will have to try and dig it out.

[NeonxBurst]

Yes, there are native american martial arts, infact they were taught to my grandfather and everyone in that cherokee tribe, and eventually he says he'll teach it to me. I've seen him practice it, and it doesn't look beautiful, or artistic, but I've seen it work. It's pretty amazing. It has lots of club, dagger, spear, staff, and bow techniques. Along with all sorts of stand up, and groundwork. I'm gonna have to think of the name though. He hasn't told me, and I haven't asked. Though it wouldn't do me any good. I don't speak or write cherokee.

[wayofthedragon]

Just thought I'd share what I found from this site: (site listed below, and will also search for more sites. I had a lot of sites on this particular topic once before, but cant remember them)

There are a large number of Africans who practice martial arts. Chandler
lists many of these arts and their similar Eastern and Western
counterparts:

Jirilbu- A martial art from central, west Africa, emphasizes grappling
and throwing. This art is similar in technique to Japanese Jiu-jitsu or
Judo.

Jakadi- A central African martial art emphasizing various hand
techniques and strikes, with some kicking. And, several different
apparatuses are used for hand techniques, with flows like Filipino
martial arts, such as Kali.

Somo- This martial art is practiced in central Africa and has beginner
level techniques that are identical to Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art
used by enslaved Africans to fight against their rifle bearing captors.
Capoeira and Somo have dance-like motions combined with fierce kicks and
acrobatic moves.

Ijala- A stick fighting art of the Ijala, warrior class of the Yoruba of
Nigeria and Benin, is comparable to the stick fighting of Filipino arts,
Arnis, Kali and Escrima
http://www.martial-arts-forum.com/ma...st_695966.html

some other arts:
Mshindi Vita Saana, Yara, Zuar, Ceoporia, Testa or Yangumi
http://www.creativebrother.freehosti...afrijitsu.html

Other related sites:
http://forwardmotion.home.att.net/nuba.html
http://home.att.net/~ascacmidatlantic/martial.htm

That is all for now, there was another site I found once that really broke down the different african styles of martial arts and got really in-depth, I will search for it and post it when I get a chance, also concerning native american arts, yes there are some, I had found a few sites on them once, but will have to search for them again.

[shootodog]

native afro-american martial art? 52 handblocks (aka. jailhouse 52 aka jailhouse rock aka 52 blocks aka mother's 52 aka jailhouse boxing).

[Martial7]

Get with me via email "way of the dragon" Im in the metro, who do you study with ? you should come check us out if you are really interested in African Martial Arts. Do you know Mama G ? Her school is Akeru.........

Peace

suprememagnetik7@aol.com