The Origin and History of Arnis

Cherry Adobo

25 May 202103:25

Summary

TLDRFilipino martial arts, known as Eskrima, Kali, or Arnis, originated from the indigenous populations' need for self-defense and protection against aggressors and wildlife. The training starts with large weapons and progresses to smaller ones, symbolizing the practical use of available resources. Influenced by the Srivi Empire, the art was systematized by the 13th century. Despite Spanish colonization and prohibition, it persisted underground and has now become a global practice, recognized as the national sport of the Philippines for its effectiveness in self-defense and combat.

Takeaways

🏋️‍♂️ Filipino martial arts training traditionally starts with large weapons and progresses to smaller ones, culminating in empty-hand techniques.
🌴 The practical and historical nature of the Philippine environment influenced the development of these martial arts, with early settlers using available resources for protection.
🗡️ The indigenous populations of the Philippines developed a diverse range of weaponry for combat and self-defense, including impact and edge weapons.
🌟 Arnis (also known as Escrima, Kali, and Garon) is a collective term for Filipino martial arts that involve the use of sticks, swords, daggers, and spears.
📚 The history of Filipino martial arts dates back to the 13th century with the arrival of the Srivijayans, who were a warrior culture and brought blade-forging technology to the islands.
🇪🇸 Spanish colonization in the 16th century initially faced resistance from the well-organized Visayan warriors, as seen in the Battle of Mactan.
🚫 During 300 years of Spanish rule, the practice of Arnis was prohibited, leading to the development of secret training methods using sticks and knives.
🌍 Today, different styles of Arnis are practiced worldwide, reflecting its evolution and adaptation to various cultural contexts.
🏅 Arnis is recognized as the national sport of the Philippines, highlighting its cultural significance and contribution to the country's heritage.
👊 Despite not being as popular as other martial arts, Arnis is highly respected for its practicality and effectiveness in self-defense and combat situations.

Q & A

What is the traditional progression of weapon training in Filipino martial arts?
-The traditional progression of weapon training in Filipino martial arts begins with large weapons and shifts to shorter ones, eventually leading to empty-hand techniques.
Why is the training in Filipino martial arts designed to start with large weapons?
-The training starts with large weapons due to the practical and historical nature of the environments in the Philippines, where early settlers used whatever means they could to protect themselves and keep aggressors and predatory animals away.
What is the indigenous term for Filipino martial arts, and what other names does it go by?
-The indigenous term for Filipino martial arts is 'Arnis', also known as 'Eskrima', 'Kali', 'Garon', and by various other names in different Philippine original languages.
What materials were traditionally used in the weapons of Filipino martial arts?
-Traditionally, rattan, swords, daggers, and spears were used in Filipino martial arts, with rattan being a common material for training due to its availability.
How did the Spanish influence affect the practice of Filipino martial arts?
-Spanish influence had a pacifying effect on Filipino martial culture, and during the 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, the practice of Arnis was prohibited, causing masters to train in secret using sticks and knives.
What historical event marked the beginning of the Filipino martial arts' history?
-The history of Filipino martial arts began in the 13th century with the arrival of the Srivi Empire from Java, who were said to have brought blade-forging technology to the Philippine Islands.
Who were the Srivi and how did they influence Filipino martial arts?
-The Srivi were warrior refugees from the Srivi Empire who settled in the central part of the Philippine archipelago, now known as the Visayas. They were said to have brought the technology of forging blades to the islands, influencing the development of Filipino martial arts.
What significant event in 1521 is associated with Filipino martial arts?
-In April 27, 1521, Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan met his demise at the hands of Visayan warriors in the Battle of Mactan, showcasing the effectiveness of Filipino martial arts.
How did the Spanish colonization impact the practice of Arnis in the Philippines?
-After the Spanish colonization, there was a growing fear of rebellion, leading to the prohibition of Arnis practice. This forced Arnis masters to train secretly, using readily available tools like sticks and knives.
Is Filipino martial arts recognized as a national sport in the Philippines?
-Yes, Filipino martial arts, specifically Arnis, is considered the national sport of the Philippines, although it may not be as popular as other martial arts or MMA.
Why is Filipino martial arts highly respected in terms of self-defense and combat?
-Filipino martial arts is highly respected for its practicality and effectiveness in self-defense and combat, as it emphasizes the use of improvised weapons and techniques that are adaptable to various situations.

Outlines

00:00

🗡️ Filipino Martial Arts: Origins and Evolution

The training in Filipino martial arts, known as 'Arnis', traditionally starts with large weapons and progresses to smaller ones, culminating in empty-hand techniques. This progression reflects the practical and historical context of the Philippines, where early settlers used various means to protect their lands from aggressors and predators. The martial art was developed by indigenous populations, incorporating a range of weapons like rattan swords, daggers, and spears. It is also known by various names such as 'Escrima', 'Kali', and 'Garon'. Despite Spanish influence that aimed to pacify martial culture, the history of Arnis dates back to the 13th century with the arrival of the Srivi empire from Java. The Spanish, who arrived in the 16th century, initially faced resistance from the well-organized Visayan warriors but eventually subdued the islands with superior technology. During 300 years of Spanish rule, the practice of Arnis was banned, leading to its underground continuation with civilian items like sticks and knives. Today, Arnis is practiced worldwide and is recognized as the national sport of the Philippines, respected for its practicality in self-defense and combat.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Filipino Martial Arts

Filipino Martial Arts, also known as Arnis, Eskrima, or Kali, is a traditional martial art from the Philippines that focuses on weapon-based fighting. It is deeply rooted in the history and culture of the Philippines, where it was developed by indigenous populations for combat and self-defense. The video script mentions that training traditionally begins with large weapons and moves to smaller ones, emphasizing the practicality of using whatever means available for protection.

💡Rattan

Rattan is a type of woody vine used to make training weapons in Filipino Martial Arts. It is noted in the script as a traditional material for swords, daggers, and spears. The use of rattan reflects the resourcefulness of early Filipinos who utilized local materials for crafting weapons, which is significant as it ties to the practical and historical nature of the martial art.

💡Spanish Influence

The Spanish Influence refers to the impact of Spanish colonization on Filipino culture and martial arts. The script explains that the Spanish had a pacifying effect on Filipino martial culture, prohibiting the practice of Eskrima due to fears of rebellion. This historical context is crucial as it led to the evolution of the martial art, with practitioners going underground and adapting their training methods to avoid detection.

💡Visayan Islands

The Visayan Islands are part of the central Philippine archipelago and are mentioned in the script as the area where the Srivi giant refugees settled. These islands are significant to the history of Filipino Martial Arts because they were home to the warrior culture that brought blade-forging technology and contributed to the development of the martial art.

💡Battle of Mactan

The Battle of Mactan, which occurred on April 27, 1521, is a historical event where Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan was defeated by Visayan warriors. This battle is significant in the script as it illustrates the effectiveness of Filipino Martial Arts in combat against foreign invaders, showcasing the martial art's practicality and the warriors' skill.

💡Self-Defense

Self-defense is a core concept in Filipino Martial Arts, as it was initially developed for protection against aggressors and predatory animals. The script highlights the practicality and effectiveness of the martial art in self-defense, which is a key reason for its continued practice and respect in the global martial arts community.

💡National Sport

The script states that Filipino Martial Arts is considered the national sport of the Philippines. This designation underscores the importance of the martial art within the country's culture and its recognition by the state, despite it not being as globally popular as other martial arts forms like MMA.

💡Practicality

Practicality is a recurring theme in the script, emphasizing the martial art's focus on real-world application and effectiveness. The training methods and techniques are designed to be adaptable and useful in various situations, which is why the martial art is highly respected for its practical approach to self-defense and combat.

💡Eskrima

Eskrima, also spelled as 'Escrima', is one of the many names for Filipino Martial Arts. The script mentions it as an alternative term, indicating the rich linguistic diversity within the Philippines and the various regional names for the martial art. Eskrima is highlighted as a form of training that went underground during Spanish colonial rule, adapting to the restrictions by using sticks and knives.

💡Modulit Empire

The Modulit Empire is mentioned in the script as the force that overthrew the three giant empires from Java and forced them to flee to the Philippine Islands. This historical event is significant as it sets the stage for the introduction of warrior culture and blade-forging technology to the Visayan Islands, contributing to the development of Filipino Martial Arts.

💡Underground Training

Underground Training refers to the secret practice of Filipino Martial Arts during the Spanish colonial period when it was prohibited. The script describes how masters trained using stick polos and knives, which were less conspicuous and more readily available to civilians. This concept illustrates the resilience and adaptability of the martial art's practitioners in the face of oppression.

Highlights

Filipino martial arts training traditionally begins with large weapons and shifts to shorter ones, symbolizing practical and historical adaptation to the Philippine environment.

Early Filipino settlers used various means to protect themselves and deter aggressors and predatory animals.

Arnis, also known as Eskrima, Kali, and Garon, is a martial art developed by indigenous populations of the Philippines for combat and self-defense.

Arnis involves the use of rattan, swords, daggers, and spears, showcasing a diverse range of weaponry.

The term 'Arnis' has various names in different Philippine original languages, reflecting its cultural depth.

Spanish influence pacified Filipino martial culture, but the history of Arnis dates back to the 13th century.

The Srivi Empire's fall and the subsequent migration to the Philippine Islands brought blade-forging technology.

Visayan warriors, practitioners of a systemized form of warfare, played a significant role in the battle of Mactan against Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

Spanish colonization led to a prohibition of Arnis, forcing its practitioners to train secretly with sticks and knives.

Despite suppression, different styles of Arnis have spread worldwide, reflecting its resilience and adaptability.

Arnis is now recognized as the national sport of the Philippines, highlighting its cultural significance.

While not as popular as other martial arts, Arnis is highly respected for its practicality and effectiveness in self-defense and combat.

The evolution of Arnis from a necessity for survival to a global martial art demonstrates its enduring relevance.

The martial art's transition from large to small weapons reflects the resourcefulness and adaptability of Filipino warriors.

The historical context of Arnis, from the Srivi Empire to Spanish colonization, underscores its rich heritage.

The prohibition of Arnis under Spanish rule led to the development of secret training methods, showcasing the art's adaptability.

The global spread of Arnis styles indicates its growing recognition and appreciation outside the Philippines.

Arnis's status as the national sport of the Philippines signifies its importance in Filipino culture and identity.

The practicality and effectiveness of Arnis in self-defense and combat set it apart from other martial arts.