Buza

Member Organization(s)

Introduction

Buza is a Russian northwestern martial tradition established in clan retinues of Slovens and Krivichs of Novgorod Land. Until the second half of the 20th century, it existed in the villages of Tver, Novgorod, Vologda, and Pskov Oblasts, Russia. It includes martial dancing, methods of armed and unarmed combat.

History

It is hard to say who was the founder of the original ancient Buza system, but in its modern form Buza is promoted by Grigory Bazlov Ph.D., who made researches and participated in many expeditions to the distant Russian villages, where he discovered a living fighting tradition.

Buza is a martial tradition of the Russian North-West, established in Novgorod Land. For several centuries until the 1980s it existed in village artels – a Russian term meaning “associations of people engaged in the same activity” - of fist cuff fighters. Most of the Buza practitioners are Orthodox Christians. The philosophy of Buza is based on the Russian traditions and customs.

Nowadays Buza school is taught in special police units, such as drug police or jail guard. Unlike most Russian styles Buza participates in sparring and competition fights with other schools. Buza groups are functioning in more than 20 cities in Russia.

References

The Center of Russian Traditional Martial Art (2011). WoMAU membership application form.