Some Net Research on Black Martial Arts

SOME ARTS: Mshindi Vita Saana, Yara, Zuar, Ceoporia, Testa or Yangumi,

"the Maasai warriors (I know historically, they were awesome), the Kikuyu and the Akamba. These tribes were also known for their fighting prowess.

"As for martial arts from Africa, there is at least one that supposedly is taught in the U.S. I can't tell you anything solid about it, but here are a few bits of info that I have no direct experience with. Take them with a grain of salt."

"I have heard from an over the internet source that there is a very strong religious aspect to some U.S.-taught African art, and that you can't get past the intermediate level without making what amounts to something like a religious commitiment.

"I have heard that it resembles Indonesian Silat (though Silat systems vary in their approach, so this statement might not mean much). "

"There are some African martial arts videos on sale, from someone whom I beleive is the guy who did the demo for Guro Dan. If you can't find anything, there must be some Asian or European (or American grown) system that is different enough from your (Uechi?) training to challenge you.

"Scaramouche"

ZULU STICK FIGHTING (from Joe)

"Hi Cecil,

"I remember reading an article about Zulu stick fighting. I don't think I still have the article. I'll look when I go home tonight after working out. What I remember specifically was how children played with sticks and taught 'games.' This helped prepare them for learning how to fight when they matured into adult warriors. What was interesting was the Gracie brothers all said the same thing about their jiu-jitsu. They always remember being on the mat 'playing' with their father.

"I asked my friend here at work who's from Kenya about whether he knew of any African martial arts specifically. He didn't, but mentioned that you might be able to research something about the Maasai warriors (I know historically, they were awesome), the Kikuyu and the Akamba. These tribes were also known for their fighting prowess. "

"Good luck, post what you find. "

"Joe"

More Text

"To all. I have been ripping up source books trying to find something. CAporeaira is Brazilian. That's about all I know. The Masai were obliged to develop strong unit control. They are tall and "ectomorphic" people. The Kikuyu (major tribe) and others were more "endomorhic". "

"The Masai were therefor able to "keep their space" thought unit cohseiveness. Chaka Zulu revolutionized warfare further south. I don't know if the Zulu were part of the waves on Bantu emigration to the south. The Massai appear to be of a different "group" but I am not an antrhopolgist. The african military history is relatively rich, but their martial arts, as in the case with the West generally, were not as formalized and thjerefore not cohesively passed forward to as many. "

"Any help on this point accepted. I can talk about Zullu tactics a bit, however. JOHN "

FROM GUINEE

"There are also some acrobatic dance forms from Guinee that I have seen, they involve a lot of handstands, spins, cartwheels, flips, etc. But I'd have to agree with the others who point out that Capoeira in its present form is Brazilian manifestation with African roots."

"P.S. When you say "their heritage is going the same route" are you talking about Capoeira?"

CAPOERA, KNOCKIN' N KICKIN, JACK

"I would hope that every one has managed to get a hold of Waldewar Rego's book, Capoeira De Angola....that is one book that addresses all of the issues regarding the historic and cultural issues surrounding capoeira. As for capoiera being in other areas ...In the carolinas of America there was something called Knockin' N Kickin

EDITOR'S NOTE: I HEARD SOMETHING LIKE THIS REFERRED TO AS "KNICK AND KNOCKIN'" FROM A CAROLINA MAN BACK WHEN I WAS A KID IN THE 70'S. SAME THING, DIFFERENT DICTION? POSSIBLE

"In Mississippi there was something called "Jack", and the movements were named after animals, snake, frog, duck, etc. "

"The great masters of jack were called "tremblers"..men trembled when they walked into the room. "

"The problem with history is that we don't study enough of it...the broad dispersal of continental AFrican peoples, the intention disperasal of language and cultural leaves many gaps in experience...I suggest you read Jorge Amado's novel, Tent of Miracles to get an idea of cultural community in the west... Please keep the debates going...this is how we learn to love... through communication... "

MORE ON CAPOIERA

"FW

"PALMARES is what made capoiera..."

"For over 100 years Palmares stood as the first democracy outside of native american cultures in the west... "

"Palmares was the santuary that runaways had if they oculd escape. It was refuge for poor Brazilians who wanted to live away from the domination of portugal... "

"The "Ganga Zumb"a was a chosen leader... Capoeira was born and thrived as it did in Brazil because there was liberated territory... "

"In America if you showed rebellious prowess you were mutilated or killed....the South America style of captivity was a bot different from the American South...The dum was outlawed in america in the 17th century...possession of a drum was punishable by death... The social environments are key to the survival and proliferation of defensive physical cultures... Capoeira is like Palmares....born in rebellion a refuge for all... "

"FW

"Posted by Some clarification on April 23, 1999 at 05:53:40: In Reply to: Re: Is it true that Black Muslims had an influence on CAPOEIRA? posted by Black Indian on April 22, 1999 at 21:32:46: "

"The word "Abada" is indeed a muslim word refereing to the prayer shirt worn, which is traditionally white. It is now a generic term used to refer to the white pants used for capoeira play, especially among regional circles. The ABADA capoeira organization uses the word for it's connection to capoeira, and has turned it into an acronym. As to actual black muslim influence on capoeira? That's a difficult question to answer..undoubtedly many of the african slaves brought to Brazil (and elsewhere) where muslim. Most either were absorbed or wiped out due to their refusal to be slaves. Think of the term"abada" in modern capoeira as a) an odd historical remnant and b) as a living tribute to the memory of those who refuse the shackles of slavery..."

"Posted by Derek on April 23, 1999 at 09:20:25:

"In Reply to: Re: Is it true that Black Muslims had an influence on CAPOEIRA? posted by Some clarification on April 23, 1999 at 05:53:40: "

"In Arabic the word "abayah" (transliterated) refers to a long shirt/tunic that usually goes down to your feet, kind of a clothing style worn in the Middle Eastern and other muslim countries. I've usually heard it used in reference to women's clothes -- men's is usually called "khaftan", but pretty much the same thing. It is traditional muslim clothing, but not necessarily white. The cloth that we pray on is called "sujada". "

"As far as African muslims' influence on Capoeira, I have read that many if not most of the leaders of various "slave" rebellions in South America and Brazil were led by African muslims, but as others pointed out, there doesn't seem to be much of an Islamic influence left in Capoeira or Brazilian culture (? I have seen pictures of Capoeiristas/Mestres wearing kufis, the traditional muslim cap). However, I have seen traditional men's dance styles from Guinee in West Africa that have a lot of moves similar to Capoeira. I'd be interested in any other information people have about any connections between Islam and Capoeira. There is a martial-art from Indonesia, pencak silat, that is usually associated with Islam."

FROM ANOTHER FORUM (UECHI-RYU FORUM???): an Ethiopian art called Re-Efi-Areh-Ehsee

"OK..this is perhaps not the most enlightened place I've ever found a reference, but I do have one or two for the African Martial arts. I was flipping through a Role-Playing Game supplement of mine on the martial arts, and came across a description of an Ethiopian art called Re-Efi-Areh-Ehsee. The authors of the book say that John Soet's Martial Arts Around the World makes reference to it. Having never seen Mr. Soets book, I couldn't tell you how detailed the review is, but it might be worth something"