Each skirmish with a new culture added to the Filipino Martial Arts as Kali warriors developed techniques to combat foreign styles. Kali, Eskrima or Arnis de Mano stick fighting was developed over a period of many centuries in the Philippines as her people fought for their independence from foreign invaders. The Philippines’ colorful history records the immigration of several cultures to the islands, all of which influenced the Filipino Martial Arts. The Filipinos pride themselves in believing that the martial arts of their nation were a self-originated art, not borrowed from the Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, or Spanish. The Filipinos have a long history of women fighting in battle, wars, and combat. Combat was used among neighboring tribes and warlords. Martial arts are taught and practiced by both men and women in the Philippines. Kali stick fighting developed over many centuries and evolved to counter the fighting styles of various aggressors. In the Southern Philippines, Silat is used in dance, as martial arts, and in games.

In Pentjak, Silat includes a study of the body’s center of gravity and how to constantly topple it. It is also found in Indonesia where they fight more with Silat low body movements than with Kali. Kali is also used in India where Kali is the name of an Indian God. That is why all three words are used to describe this art. The Spaniards called the art Eskrima or Arnis. When the Spanish arrived, they saw a wavy-edged sword about 30 inches long made of wood called a “kalis.” During Spanish occupation, they forbade the practice of Kali. Filipino stick fighting was entrenched in the island’s culture long before the Spanish arrived in 1521. Silat refers to the movements of the lower body.

In the Southern Philippines, it is called Kali-Silat. Kali is an ancient term used to signify the martial arts in the region of the Philippines. Filipino Kali teaches weapons fighting before bare hand-to-hand combat. The rich history of this expansive system draws on global influences as readily as it affects martial arts styles all over the world.įilipino Kali is the art of stick fighting using hard bamboo sticks to strike and defend. History of Kali Martial Arts We are pleased to present Filipino martial arts are part of the curriculum at Elite Training Center.

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