Originally posted by Lunumbra
I'm looking for a good source to learn some of the vocabulary associated with FMA's
for instance, in my limited experience, Kali, Escrima and Arnis are used almost interchangably as the name of art forms. Are there different emphasis placed on each name?
What is Tippi-Tappi?
If someone could just give a brief description of each common excercise, it would be a great help to all of us beginners in following the posts around here!
Thanks
Michael Stone
1. The Eskrima-Digest has one of the largest vocabulary lists:
http://www.martialartsresource.com/filipino/filframe.htm
Scroll down to the "Instructors in Filipino Martial Arts" link and then scroll down to "FMA Glossary of Terms."
2. Kali, Eskrima, and Arnis are general terms used to describe the Filipino martial arts. In recent years some Filipino martial artists have argued that "kali" describes an ancient art from which the various more modern styles of "eskrima" and "arnis" have derived. Mark Wiley in "Filipino Martial Culture" argues that this is not the case. The dozens, if not hundreds, of different Filipino martial arts, both weapons-oriented and not, are tied to tribal, clan, and family traditions that are so dissimilar as to prevent any association with a common "mother" art. Furthermore, prior to the 16th century, "kali" was not a term used in the Philippines to describe martial arts; it is a 20th century term that is often used out of a sense of Filipino pride and the desire to promote Filipino martial arts.
This is stating his argument rather broadly as he admits that "kali" could well be in many cases a derivation of longer words from different dialects that describe individual Filipino tribal arts; there may very well be a connection also between "kali" and the Hindu goddess "Kali." The central argument described above is however not effected by these considerations
Wiley prefers to take each Filipino art on its own merits and to discuss them in terms of (1) whether they are an "ancient," "classical," or "modern" tradition, and (2) the various "systems," "styles," and "techniques" within each type of tradition.
3. "Tapi Tapi" is a drill designed to build sensitivity, especially with the non-stick hand that monitors and checks the opponent's stick while simultaneously defending and attacking with your stick. Doce Pares has a version, and I believe that Remy Presas' Modern Arnis has one as well. Pekiti Tirsia has "tapping," which is similar in intent even though it looks different from the above.
Tapi Tapi can admit to several variations. For example, the Saavedra family used tapi tapi as a a form of controlled sparring at close quarters that emphasized the use of the empty hand to monitor and control the opponent's weapon. Later, Momoy Canete, who wished to emphasize espada y daga technique in his interpretation of Doce Pares, created a more aggressive role for the dagger, which could now be used both to monitor and control an opponent's weapons as well as to attack the opponent with thrusts.
Best,
Steve Lamade
