Escrima| Weapons Training

Escrima is an essential part of advanced WingChun training. Without the knowledge of weapon fighting the pre-primary level and the technician grades can not be achieved. The attainment of these high degrees of WingChun requires a corresponding ability in dealing with simple weapons.



In our Escrima we teach the deployment of functional weapons from diverse cultures. Starting with the simple stick, lessons then move from the machete on to the various types of swords. We also incorporate training with knives, shields, even long pole and double knives (in the scene often misinterpreted as top secret), farther tonfa, palmstick and (for special bodily training) unusual weapons such as the battle axe.



Our way is the unconditional avoidance of converting a weapons art into a sport. We waste no time with competitions or spectator events. Such misappropriation of an art is the exact opposite of what is taught in my academies. Lessons and practice should be done with the purpose of learning the pragmatic use of a certain weapon or combination of weapons. The context of and connection to reality, which students must never lose sight of, is indispensable. This approach protects us from injury, optimizes bodily training, and cultivates a necessary respect – not only for other students, but as much so for the various weapons. Physical self-mastery, an alert mind, and firm initiative are the first stages to which we strive.

The historical development of the weapons art, under the influence of various cultures, to the evolution of modern Escrima.

Escrima was at one time a generic term for various styles of weapons arts, and was most likely derived from the Spanish term for fencing, Esgrima. In French, the word for fencing, Escrime, is similar as well.

However, the most prevalent term for stick fighting is Arnis, which is synonymous with Escrima (meaning “weapon fighting”). Arnis or Arnis de Mano, comes from Spanish and may be translated as “armor (protection) of the hand” since weaponless techniques were viewed as rather secondary in this art. In earlier times, the word Kali was used, which consists of the words Camot and Lehok and can be interpreted as “hand movement”. Up until the beginning of the 15th century, no significant weapons combat arts were taught in the Philippines. Only through and with attempts at colonization were functional weapon combat arts in the Philippines known.

Escrima evolved over the centuries via Indian, Indonesian, Malay, and Spanish influences into a distinct weapon combat art. This is a fact that the Filipino pride does not like to accept. Often I read "Filipino weapon martial arts" and smile, because were not the Filipinos the losers? That's what I call a historical misunderstanding.

Portuguese sailor and conqueror Ferdinand Magellan (who was sailing under the Spanish flag) was one of the first Europeans to make an uncomfortable acquaintance with the Filipinos proficiency with weapons. After Magellan landed on the central Filipino island of Mactan, he tried to validate Spanish crown claims on the surrounding islands. When the islanders resisted, the battle of Mactan took place on April 27, 1521, during which the Spanish conquerors were completely destroyed by Lapu Lapu and his warriors. Ferdinand Magellan was killed in this battle.

 

From the notes of the Italian chronologist Antonio Pigaffetta, who belonged to Magellan’s fleet, it can be gathered that, due to extremely effective fighting techniques, the warriors of Lapu Lapu, equipped only with machetes, hardwood sticks, short swords and spears, defeated the well-armed Spanish army.