A Look at Non-East Asian Martial Arts
Today, East/Southeast Asian martial arts such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kungfu, Muay Thai and Judo are known and practiced worldwide. There is a misconception among many Westerners that East Asians and Southeast Asians 'invented' martial arts.
The truth is, in any society where combative situations occur - pretty much most of the world - humans have found it necessary to develop martial arts. The arts of self-defense know no borders or cultures. No one culture or nation 'invented' martial arts. People everywhere came up with their own solutions based on the needs of their environments.
Although there were some cases in which foreign influences became intermingled with native arts, there is no denying the presence of indigenous creativity outside of East Asia/Southeast Asia, whatever the claims of those who inflate the achievements of their own cultures and ignore the normal human inventiveness of other peoples may be.
T.J.
Africa
Senegalese Wrestling (Laamb)
This is a millenia-old wrestling sport practiced across ethnic groups. Formal competitions are still popular today.
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Further Reading
These books are not specifically dedicated to Laamb; they mention the art in a larger context of world or regional martial arts.
Zulu Stick Fighting
Among the Zulu, boys are traditionally trained to stick fight from age 3. Their training takes place far from their villages. At age 15 or 16, a boy will pick his own set of sticks. Many Zulu men in urban areas still carry 2 sticks with them.
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Further Reading
Nuba martial arts
The Nuba people of the Sudan have been practising organized martial arts for at least 3000 years.
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Further Reading
Not all of these books are specifically dedicated to the Nuba martial arts. In some, the Nuba arts are mentioned as part of a larger history of martial arts.
The Americas
Kalenda (Trinidad)
Kalenda is a stickfighting art of African descent originating with Afro-Trinidadians.
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Further Reading
These books are not specifically dedicated to Kalenda, which is mentioned in the context of a larger history of martial arts.
El Juego del Garrote (Venezuela)
El Juego del Garrote (The Garrote Game) is a Venezuelan martial arts system which involves the machete, the stick and knife fencing.. The garrote is a stick that is heavier at the striking end than at the handle end. The discipline of El Juego del Garrote is also known under other names, such as Garrote Larense, Garrote Tocuyano, Pelea de Palos and Esgrima de Palos.
The origins of el Juego del Garrote are unknown, though references to it exist throughout Venezuelan culture. The combat system was passed from generation to generation and its practice and teachings held secretly. The master stick fighter (Maestro Jugador) revealed his skill just at the moment of the fight, never before, since it was to the Maestro Jugador's advantage if his opponent underestimated him in a life-and-death duel. The Maestro Garrotero Mercedes Pérez used to say of el Juego del Garrote: "it is like a companion who could give us help in any moment of life; it is like a handkerchief that you put in your pocket and take it out whenever you need it".
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Further Reading
Although this general martial arts book is not specifically dedicated to El Juego del Garrote, it mentions the art on page 341.
Karive (Venezuela)
Combat Karive comprises of ancient methods of fighting learned from indigenous people in the Amazon, the Andes and the Caribbean.
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Danmye/Ladja (Martinique)
Danmye is a martial art believed to be derived from West African wrestling. It involves both seizing and striking moves.
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Further Reading
These books are NOT specifically dedicated to Danmye or Ladja, which may only be briefly mentioned in the context of other subject matter.
South Asia
Kalari Payattu (India)
Kalari Payattu is an ancient temple-based martial art practised in Kerala, India.
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Further Reading
These books are NOT specifically dedicated to Kalari Payattu, which may only be briefly mentioned in the context of other subject matter.
Austronesia
Austronesia refers to the area inhabited by the Austronesian peoples, spanning Madagascar, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. They are linguistically related, and some of their martial arts share similar traits.
Whare tu taua (Maori)
Whare tu taua refers to the institution of traditional Maori war arts. One of more its widely-practised aspects is the weapons system of Mau Rakau. Mau Rakau training involves the use of the Taiaha (a spear/staff) and it is taught to boys in traditional settings.
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Further Reading
These books are NOT specifically dedicated to Maori martial arts, which may only be briefly mentioned in the context of other subject matter.
Lua (Hawaiian)
Lua involves the study of wrestling, gymnastics, joint manipulations, and weaponry.
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Further Reading
More Austronesian Martial Arts
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Further Reading
Europe
Systema (Russia)
The Systema as said to have been practised by the Cossacks as early as thousand years ago.
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Further Reading
Savate (France)
Also known as "streetkicking", Savate originated as self-defense among the 'lower classes'.
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Further Reading
More European Martial Arts
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Further Reading
As one can see, there is nothing exotic or foreign about martial arts. People all over the world have been involved in warfare since antiquity and responded accordingly by developing fighting arts. Learning about other cultures is great, but sometimes we don't have to look much further than our own traditions to find what we seek.