Arnis

Eskrima, Kali

Member Organization(s)

Introduction

Arnis is a Philippine martial art characterized by the use of “swinging and twirling movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting and parrying techniques for defense and offense”. Having been handed down from generation to generation for centuries, the discipline hones the skill, speed, accuracy, and agility of its practitioners.

History

Arnis was developed by the indigenous populations of the Philippines, who used an assorted range of weaponry for combat and self-defense. Encompassing both simple impact and edged weapons, arnis traditionally involved rattan, swords, daggers, and spears.

In 1521, Lapu Lapu and his Arnis warriors defeated Ferdinand Magellan’s Portuguese conquistador forces when they tried to invade.

During the Spanish era(1565-1898), Spaniards outlawed the practise of martial arts, but the traditions of arnis were preserved in the forms of ritual dance, performance, and mock battles.

In 2009, the Philippine government declared arnis as a national sport of the Philippines.

References

Richarson Gialogo (30 September 2010). “Arnis as National Sport and Martial Arts”. World Martial Arts Academy International Congress. Chungju, Korea.

Ruaidhrí Carroll (25 April 2017). “Arnis: The Philippines' National Sport and Martial Art”. Culture Trip.

World Martial Arts Museum. Chungju, Korea.

EBS 다큐 (13 August 2014). “세계견문록 아틀라스 - ATLAS_무림 기행- 필리핀, 아르니스”. YouTube.

“라푸라푸”. 위키피디아.

“에스크리마”. 위키피디아.

“칼리 아르니스”. 나무위키.