Answers To The Question: What Is The History of Arnis
ARNIS – In this article, we will learn about the history and significance of the Filipino martial art, Arnis.
Arnis is the national martial art sport of the Philippines. It is also known by the name Eskrima and Kali.
The sport gives emphasis to weapon based fighting. This is often done using bladed weapons such as knives, sticks, and other improvised weapons.
This martial art discipline also involves hand to hand combat, grappling, and weapons disarming. The primary weapon used in this traditional martial art is the cane or baton.
Although the size of the cane varies, often times it is 28 inches long. The cane used is also considered sacred by Arnisadores.
This is the reason why the cane is hit on the forearm or the hand when sparring. The sport was also acknowledged as a defensing sport by practitioners.
Globally, Filipinos have been known for its blade culture that was birthed from this sport. But before it was famous as Arnis, the sport had a different name.
The indigenous martial art was encountered by the Spanish during 1610. Back then it was known as Paccalicali-t to the Ibanags.
It was also called Didya to the Ilokanos, and Sitbatan or Kalirongan to Pangasinenses. The sport was also known as Sinwali (“to weave”) to Kapampangans.
The word “Arnis” actually came from arnés, which is an old Spanish word for armor. According to wikipedia, it is said to come from the armor costumes used in Moro-moro stage plays.
Americans had first encountered Arnis during the Philippine-American War. This included events such as the Balangiga massacre.
This was where the majority of an American unit was hacked to death or gravely injured by bolo-wielding guerrillas. This took place in 1901.
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