History of Arnis

Study Notes

History of Arnis

Declared as the national martial art and sport of the Philippines by Republic Act No. 9850.
Palarong Pambansa features Arnis as the first competitive sport among participating teams.
Originated as a combat method using daggers, swords, and sticks; rooted in Indonesian cakalele silat.
Also known as Eskrima or Kali, Arnis was preserved through dance, mock battles, and religious plays during Spanish colonization.
Regional names for Arnis include Pananandata (Tagalog), Pagkalikali (Ibanog), Kalidaran (Bisaya), Didja (Ilocano), Kabaraon, and Kalingoran (Pangasinan).

Arnis Equipment

Sticks are typically made of rattan, ranging from 12-36 inches in length and 3/4 - 1 inch in diameter; standard length is 28 inches.
Other equipment includes bladed weapons such as bolo, itak (machete), daggers, knives, or long poles.
Training attire consists of a white T-shirt, red loose pants, and belts.

Arnis Posture

Front Facing: Directly faces the opponent.
Half Front: Body oriented at a 45-degree angle to either side.
Side Facing: Entire body faces either right or left.

Arnis Courtesy

The attention stance (Pugay) signifies respect towards opponents or partners, emphasizing sportsmanship and tradition.

Arnis Grip

A correct grip is crucial for power and control; hold the stick about a fist's distance from the bottom with a closed grip using the thumb.

Arnis Stances

Attention Stance (handa): Relaxed hands at the sides, heels together, feet at a 45-degree angle.
Open-leg Stance: Legs shoulder-width apart, toes slightly outward.
Straddle Stance: Legs spread twice shoulder width, knees bent, balance weight evenly.
Forward Stance: One leg steps forward, body angled and cane held diagonally.
Back Stance: One foot back in L-shape, weight ratio 70-30% between rear and front legs.
Oblique Stance: Foot steps obliquely while maintaining the L-shape.

Arnis Forms of Play

Solo Baston: Play with a single stick.
Espada y Daga: Involves a long wooden sword and a short wooden dagger.
Sinawali: Use of two sticks representing criss-cross patterns similar to native house walling material.

Vital Striking Points

Twelve critical striking points in the human body can inflict severe harm:
- Left/Right temple
- Left/Right shoulder
- Stomach
- Left/Right chest
- Left/Right knee
- Left/Right eye
- Crown

Striking Techniques

Techniques focus on targeted strikes, beginning with specific positioning of the stick and body, which enhances effectiveness and force during attacks.

Description

This quiz explores the rich history of Arnis, the national martial art of the Philippines. Learn about its origins, significance in sports, and its evolution from traditional combat methods. Test your knowledge on the cultural impact and legislative recognition of Arnis in the Philippines.