History

History of Kali, Arnis, Escrima

Kali is an ancient term used to signify the martial arts in the region of the Philippines. In Southern Philippines, it is called Kali-Silat. Silat refers to the movements of the lower body. During the Spanish occupation, they forbade the practice of Kali. The Spaniards called the art Escrima or Arnis. Hence, after this period, the martial arts of the Philippines, all three words were used to describe their art. Kali is a prefix for many Filipino languages. One of the oldest is Karay-a-Panay. Other words include Kalipay (happiness), Kalibutan (world). Kali is also used as a suffix. A very common word as you can see. Recorded history tells us that the early Filipinos migrated from the southern islands. Kali is also used in India. Kali is the name of an Indian God. Kali is also found in Indonesia. In Indonesia, they fight more with Silat than Kali. In Pentjak Silat is included a study of the body's center of gravity and how to constantly topple it. In Southern Philippines, Silat is used in dances, as martial arts, and as games. They played it as young children of 6-8, and we never thought of it as a martial art, just as a funny game of physical wit. Dance relates to the culture of the country. A study of the dance forms of the Philippines shows that the kali pattern is ingrained in all the hand gestures and footsteps for agility. None of these kali patterns are seen in the dances of India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Japan, Pacific islanders. Only in the Philippines will you see these dance patterns similar to the kali patterns. So even if there is similarity to the Silat of Indonesia, Kali still developed into its own, in ancient Philippines.

The martial arts were taught and practice by both men and women in the Philippines. Combat was used amongst neighboring tribes and warlords. The Filipinos have a long history of women fighting in battle, wars and combat. The Filipinos pride themselves in believing that the martial arts of their nation was a self originated art, not borrowed from the Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, or Spanish. Kali, escrima or arnis de mano, stick fighting was developed over a period of many centuries in the Philippines as her people fought for their independence from foreign invaders. Each skirmish with a new culture added to the Filipino Martial Arts as Kali warriors developed techniques to combat foreign styles. Subsequently, 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 called Northern, Southern, and Central. "Kali," the mother of escrima and arnis de mano, is the preferred reference by its practitioners. Always assuming the use of the blade, whether it be the sword or knife (dagger), Kali employs many techniques, including strikes, stances and weapon handling, which have influence from China, Arab missionaries, Indonesia and Spain. This is due to immigration as well as invasion and occupation. The Philippines’ colorful history records the immigration of several cultures to the islands, all of which influenced the Filipino Martial Arts. The Madjapahit, who settled in the Southern stretches of the islands, where influenced by Arab missionaries and became know as fierce Moslems (called "Moro Filipinos") who violently opposed foreign peoples on their native land.

During the American occupation of the Philippines in the early 1900s, Moros, marked by tiger-eyes and red headbands - signifying a resolve to kill until killed - strode singly down the streets blading everything in their path, embracing the belief that every slain Christian assured their places in heaven. So tenacious was the Moros’ rampage that hundreds of reports by American soldiers surfaced, stating that the slugs of .38-caliber pistols failed to stop the advancing Moros. As a result of those reports, the .45-caliber pistol was designed and issued to American servicemen. Although the Moros’ religious fervor was a crucial element in their destruction, it was the use of their bladed weapons that allowed the bloody chaos to succeed. The art they so deftly employed was Kali. Spanish conquistadors, led by Ferdinand Magellan, invaded the islands in the early 1500s. A pirate according to Filipino history, Magellan was slain by the heroic chieftain Lapu Lapu and his men. The armor-clad Spanish, overpowered by the fierce islanders and their fire-hardened sticks, retreated. In the 1570’s, unable to match the conquistadors’ muskets, the Philippines fell under Spanish rule. The Filipinos preserved their Martial Arts by integrating it into native costumes and dances, often performing Kali movements in the form of dance for the pleasure of Spanish dictators. In 1935, the Philippines were recognized as an independent nation until occupied by Japan during World War II. Welcoming U.S. intervention during the occupation, Filipinos eagerly enlisted in American services. Known for close-in, hand-to-hand combat with bolo knives, the Filipino troops established themselves as fierce guerrilla forces, marching in triangle formation with the point, or lead, man disabling enemy soldiers, leaving the following formation to finish the job. Following the war, many adventurous escrimadors and Kali men left the Philippines for Hawaii and California. There they grouped together, working as farm laborers and practicing their art in secret, still adapting it to their environment by utilizing farm tools -asparagus knives, machetes, hoes and the like - as weapons. After years of clandestine practice, the old masters have begun to teach a younger generation the beautiful and deadly Filipino Martial Arts.

The most significant difference from other martial arts is that in Eskrima all training begins with weapons defence. You are initially training with a rattan straight stick/cane, which is about 26 inches in length. There are several reasons why this is beneficial but here we will restrict ourselves to considering three of the most important. Firstly training with the cane trains your body in correct body mechanics. Secondly the speed at which the cane travels means your reactions are trained to a greater level of sharpness. Thirdly you develop a very high level of focus and concentration. These in conjunction with other benefits of training with the cane result in the development of a good foundation of attributes, which can immediately be transferred to unarmed self-defence. You will find that because of the inherent attributes developed by training with the cane it will be easier for you to deal with empty hand attacks. For example a punch will appear to be moving more slowly because of the reactions the cane has developed. Your own punches will be more powerful because of the training of correct body mechanics through the cane.

Eskrima can be trained in by those aged 16 years and above. It is for anyone who wishes to gain not only the ability to defend themselves but who also wishes to develop self-esteem and self discipline. There is no need initially to be very strong or have a great deal of stamina. The training will itself develop these attributes over a very short period of time, so even a complete novice to martial arts will be able to cope. You do not need to have any previous martial arts experience or qualifications. It is of course always to be recommended that anybody who has a medical condition or has been physically inactive for a period of time should seek advice from their physician with regards to starting any new course of physical activity, but Eskrima can often be beneficial in such cases. In the Philippines many of the top practitioners are well over 60 years old evidencing the health benefits of the training. In essence all you need to have is enthusiasm and the desire to try something new!