Filipino Martial ArtsFilipino martial arts originated in the Philippines and incorporates a variety of styles into their martial or warrior arts. There are many different styles, just as there are different languages and cultures throughout the many islands that make up the Philippines. Since there is such a variety of languages and cultures, martial arts of the Philippines incorporate all of them into the same thing. Since the concept of Filipino warrior arts incorporate so many different styles, there are three major branches that are used. Arnis is usually found in Luzon regions, Eskrima is found in Visayas regions, and Kali is located in the Mindanao regions. Each of these branches of martial arts contains a long history of tradition and culture, and also lives through a long line of families. Some traditional weapons found in Filipino martial arts can be found with people who have great skill and technique. Students in this type of martial arts have a vast knowledge of different weapons and how to use them in a combat situation. The weapons they use vary in size, design or weight and some of these weapons have a particular use. Weapons that are used include edged weapons, which are knives or swords, flexible weapons like ropes, whips or chains and projectile weapons in the traditional bow and arrow or darts. Martial arts have in the Philippines for hundreds of years, and used simple combat weapons of sticks or knives. Some martial artists still use the ancient techniques, but finding them is very rare. Most martial arts in the Philippines are weapons based, no matter what style you're using. The migration of different countries through the Philippines had an impact on their martial arts, combining a Filipino style with other characteristics. Some of the first information on Filipino fighting techniques came within the Spanish colonists attacked them in the 16th century. The Spanish were unable to win using hand-to-hand combat in later resorted to weapons as their only way to victory. The three branches of the Philippines martial arts come through the Spanish language in reference to Eskrima, Arnis, and Kali. Filipino martial arts has become a big part of the Filipino culture. There are so many different styles and techniques, as well as weapons that have been used throughout the centuries and continue to be learned by students.
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