What is Arnis? What is the difference between Kali, Eskrima, Arnis?
Where and when did it start? Where could you learn Arnis-Kali?
Arnis is a martial art from the Filipino martial arts family, which is sometimes also called “Eskrima” or “Kali”.
Arnis developed in the Philippines – A region with thousands of islands. The region is the origin of the combat methods called Arnis-Kali-Eskrima, of which there are many different styles which can now be learned around the world.
There are many approaches to Filipino martial arts, what they have in common is the use of short sticks for self-defense and knife work.
Many identify the martial art “Arnis” as “fighting with sticks“, but although this is one of the central elements in Arnis, it is only a small part of a rich and complex system.
Alongside fighting with sticks, in Arnis-Kali you will find dozens of other weapons, especially knives!
Arnis is a fighting style that also includes punches, kicks, locks, and more, but all that is secondary to the weapons which in this martial art, are taught first.
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About the names of Arnis, Kali, Eskrima
The name “ESKRIMA” came from the nickname that the Spanish conquistadors gave to stick fighters in the 19th century: ESKRIMADORS = Fencers.
The term “KALI” appeared in the 1970s in an attempt to replace the two Spanish names in their origin.
The name failed to replace the expression Arnis or Eskrima, and today the name “Kali” tends to be used mainly for Filipino fighting styles that are dominant in knife work.
One of the unique characteristics of Arnis-Eskrima-Kali is that In this martial art, it is customary to learn from the beginning how to fight with weapons, and only after students have gained an understanding of how to use weapons, do they continue training in empty-handed fighting.
This is unlike most fighting methods in which the approach is the opposite.
These Filipino methods of warfare (Arnis-Kali-Eskrima) consists of several topics that are related and affect each other:
- Single Stick – Also includes swords and axes.
- Double Stick – Includes double swords and double axes.
- Empty Hands – “Manu Manu”. Both open hands and punches.
- Knives
- Long-range combat (swords and sticks) – “Largo Manu”
- Flexible weapons: whips, straps, ropes, and belts.
The HISTORY of Arnis & Filipino Martial Arts
Martial arts in the Philippines developed from a basic need for self-defense, and even proved themselves during the invasion of foreign forces to the region, who were defeated several times by Filipino warriors despite the invaders arriving with more modern weapons.
During the period of Spanish rule which began in the 16th century, local martial arts were banned by foreign rulers, but the knowledge did not disappear and was secretly passed down from generation to generation.
Naturally, due to the presence of Spanish rule in the Philippines, many words relating to weapons and fighting methods come from the Spanish language.
In the past, the difficulty of moving between islands in the Philippines led to a very strong tribal development, which created countless different fighting methods, unique to each tribe. This fact, in addition to external influences on fighting methods, explains why there are hundreds of different methods of arnis, kali, or eskrima, each with a different preference or emphasis.
One of the earliest Western contacts with Filipino wrestling was with the local Filipino warrior Lapu-Lapu.
Ferdinand Magalan, a Portuguese explorer seeking a western route to the Indonesian Spice Islands for the Spanish crown, became embroiled in a clash with several local tribes and was killed by the Lapu-Lapu chief and his people.
Magalan died in a battle in which the Philippines used swords and spears, but the fate of the Filipinos did not improve, as the Spanish returned well-equipped on the second expedition, thus beginning 350 years of colonization.
The Philippines continued to fight against them, and also waged guerrilla wars against the Japanese occupation in World War II.
Kali-Eskrima-Arnis Martial Arts Tradition
Traditionally, the fighting techniques of Arnis, Kali, and Eskrima have been passed down from generation to generation, from father to son within the family.
Sometimes it was also possible to learn the art from famous tribal elders, who were the most well-known and respected warriors.
But as time passed and cities grew, it was possible to learn the art from groups or organizations of practitioners of the art. These organizations arose from a desire to preserve their local fighting heritage.
After World War II, the concept of martial arts schools became a more popular form of learning.
Important figures in Arnis
One of the people who has had the greatest influence on the promotion of Filipino martial arts is Dan Inosanto.
Inosanto, an American of Filipino descent – became famous as one of the students and close friends of Bruce Lee.
Inosanto studied Bruce Lee’s approach to fighting and self-defense, and at the same time introduced Bruce Lee to the principles of the Filipino fighting approach. Among other things, he was the one who gave Bruce Lee his first nunchaku as a gift, and from there Bruce made that weapon into a worldwide legend.
Over the years, Dan Inosanto has established his own famous martial arts academy in California, where he teaches a wide range of Martial arts methods.
The world of Arnis is very broad with a variety of sub-styles found throughout the Philippines.
Some styles also include various grappling (wrestling) and ground fighting techniques.
The weapon most associated with Eskrima/Arnis is fighting with a stick (or two) about 70 cm long.
When using a stick in Filipino martial arts like Arnis, many times the same movement will have multiple uses depending on the range and situation.
Sometimes a blow to the opponent’s stick is a block, the same blow with the stick if you are closer may be a blow to “disarm” the opponent towards his hand, if you are even closer then it is a blow to the head. At first you practice movements and later you understand the applications, but at the basic levels Arnis-Kali-Eskrima involve a lot of repetition like any other martial art.
The Arnis method that is taught by military units in the Philippines is called Pekiti Tirsia.
Watch movies and videos:
Filipino Martial Arts: Arnis – Kali – Eskrima
Article: The Story of Bruce Lee and Nunchko
Arnis-Kali Clubs & Lessons
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