Arnis

Arnis is the national martial art of the Philippines.

It is a complex system of combat that focuses on weapon-based fighting. Practitioners use sticks, knives, and various bladed weapons. They can also use improvised weapons or use "open hand" techniques without any tools. This art is a vital part of Filipino culture and identity. It represents a deep tradition of skill and defense.

The practice of Arnis involves specific movements and tools. Many students use rattan bastons, which are strong wooden canes.

A common pattern of movement is called sinawali. This name means "to weave" in Kapampangan. The movements are designed to look like the patterns of weaving.

Practitioners are known by specific names depending on the term they use. A man practicing Arnis is an arnisador, while a woman is an arnisadora. If they use the term eskrima, they are called eskrimadores or eskrimadoras. Those who practice kali are known as kalistas or mangangali.

There are many different names for this martial art. The term Arnis comes from the Old Spanish word arnés, meaning armor. This name may relate to the armor used in Moro-moro stage plays. In these plays, actors fought mock battles using wooden swords. Eskrima is derived from the Spanish word esgrima, which means fencing. The name kali likely comes from the pre-Hispanic term kalis, meaning blades. This term was documented by the chronicler Antonio Pigafetta during his journey through the Visayas.

The word kalis appears in many old Spanish dictionaries. It was used in various forms across different languages like Tagalog, Cebuano, and Ilocano. In some regions, it referred to a kris, which is a specific type of knife or sword.

The history of Arnis is a mix of legend and oral tradition. One legend says a Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma introduced the art. He supposedly saw dried rattan canes on the ground in Luzon and taught the locals how to use them. However, most of the history is passed down through stories rather than written records. This is because Arnis was often practiced by the commoner class. These practitioners usually did not have the scholarly education to write books.

Historical evidence shows that Arnis grew from many different influences. It has roots in native fighting techniques used by the Pintados. It also absorbed influences from the Malay Archipelago, such as the art of silat. Some theorists believe Arnis may share ancestry with Silambam, an ancient Indian stick-based martial art. The Spanish arrival in the 16th century also added new elements. The Spaniards brought their own bladed weapon arts, such as the system of Destreza.

The Philippines has a long history of skilled warriors. In 1521, Datu Lapulapu led a force in the Battle of Mactan. This battle involved fighting with spears and cutlasses.

During the precolonial era, different settlements often fought or raided one another. This constant conflict created many capable warriors. Some of these warriors, known as Lucoes from Luzon, were even employed as mercenaries in other parts of Asia. They served in places like Siam and Malacca.

Arnis connects to broader global history and culture. The art shows how different cultures, like the Spanish, Chinese, and Indian, can influence one another. It is a living example of how traditions change over time. Today, the art remains a significant part of the Philippine archipelago. It connects modern practitioners to their ancestors through movement and discipline.