Traditional Filipino Weapons, Use, and Combinations
The Single Stick: Olisi, Solo Baston.
The single stick represents the Sword: Golok Sundang Kampilan, Kris, or Olisi. The stick is normally made from rattan, Yakal or Kamagong. It is used for thrusting, slashing, blocking, hooking, disarming, locking, choking, takedowns, and grappling. The stick represents a sword in most instances, but because the Filipino people were banned from the use of their weapons, they adapted and used the same skills they had learned already. Using in place the stick or other allowable tools for trade in the place of the sword, then incorporating these new weapons into the art.
The Double sticks, Dalawa Olisi, Doble Baston:
The double sticks again is meant to represent the Sword: Golok Sundang Kampilan, Kris, or Olisi its just now you have two of them at once. Double sticks can still be used in the same manner as the single stick. Using the double sticks helps to develop all the skills that a single stick training will but more. Working with double sticks, helps develop the empty hand techniques that are part of the art, training both hands at once. The Sinawali is one of the double stick drills that trainĀs the double hand applications, and empty hand flow. This drill requires the weaving of the sticks in a pattern of numbered and set strikes.
The Long stick-Staff, Spear:
the staff today represents the traditional spear: Karasaik, bangkaw, panabas, and Sibat. The spear and staff are very adaptable and versatile weapons. You will find that Most of the techniques used in the single stick are applicable with them, using the same Slashes, thrusts, hooks, and figure eights, and takedowns, you learn with the single stick. Spear, staff, oar, or long sticks range from 3 to 9 feet long and 1 to 5 inches wide.
Tabak Malii, Olisi palad, and Palm sticks:
Training with a palm stick is usually done with two short sticks, one in each hand. One stick is held evenly in the center of each palm. Traditionally, the weapon was made of steel, which included a ring to place your fingers in. The ends were serrated and pointed, and sometimes included bladed edges for thrusting or slashing. Traditionally used for hooking, thrusting disarms, countering disarms, joint locks and presser point striking. Many of the techniques used with the palm stick are used for the closed balisong.
The Single Dagger, Daga, Knife:
Bolo, Kris, Balaraw, Baraw, Punyal, Sundang, Itak, Balisong, Korambit, and Pinute. The dagger is used for thrusting, slashing, ripping and hooking. The dagger is used both offensively, defensively and many techniques against other weapons. A dagger is held in a number of grips, some examples are, the Saber grip, ice pick grip, scalpel grip, hammer grip or the two-fingered saber grip.
The Double Dagger, Doble Daga, Double Knife:
Bolo, Kris, Balaraw, Baraw, Punyal, Sundang, Itak, Balisong, Korambit, and Pinute. The overall combinations of different daggers or knives are interchangeable. For most though two daggers of the same type of dagger is employed. For realistic purposes, though training in double dagger should be done with a mix of different daggers or knives for adaptability reasons. As with the single dagger they are used for thrusting, slashing, ripping and hooking. The daggers are used both offensively and defensively. The double daggers grips can be varied and mixed suited on many factors at the time of confrontation. There are a number of grips used, some examples are, the Saber grip, ice pick grip, scalpel grip, hammer grip, or the two-fingered saber grip.
Espada Ya Daga: Sword & Knife:
Espada Ya Daga is practiced with a single stick or Sword and a single dagger or palm stick. One of the strongest influences left by the Spanish was the art of Eskrima fencing. The Spanish rapier and dagger systems introduced to the Philippines came through war and the defense of the cultures people, because of all the variables the introduction the art from the Spanish had a considerable influence on the development of what we call eskirma today.
Espada Ya daga shows us the adaptability of the Filipino people and how the art of Eskrima-Kali - Espada Ya Daga styling evolved. Many of the techniques that are found in espada Ya daga came into existence because the Spanish brought the early concepts into the country. After its early introduction into the culture, it was then adapted and incorporated into their art form. Drills using the sword and dagger are short range to medium then medium range to long range. The mix of weapons and styling is also used for controlling an opponentĀs bladed weapon.
The sword is held in the predominate hand and the dagger is held in the secondary weapons hand or the alive-hand. Many people misunderstand the concepts behind espada Ya daga. Their thinking tends to lead them to believe that because the daga is in the secondary hand, it is the secondary weapon, in actuality is the predominant weapon and why it is In the alive hand. Most opponents will not understand this concept if untrained in eskrima. Subsequently because of this, they will go for your sword hand instead of the dagger or alive hand.
Most untrained opponents will see the sword in your predominate hand as the first and major threat to them. A good eskrmador or eskrimadoris will allow you to go for the longer blade, as you do they will rush you, either to disarm the sword then to, or to, bring them into close quarter range with the daga for the kill.
Throwing Weapons-Tapon-Tapon:
, Sand, Daggers, Spikes, Rattan Darts, Spear-Karasaik, bangkaw, panabas, and Sibat. Throwing weapons such as these can be thrown from hidden locations in a sniping fashion. Alternatively, used for creating time and confusion in a fight. Part of the styling in Espada Ya Daga employs the use of sand or dirt being tossed into the face of your opponent with the end of the stick or sword. This is done to create confusion and to take control of the fight. If your using a sword instead of a stick you would be cutting off toes and feet when you are able too.
Flexible Weapons; Whip-Latiko-latigo, Rope, Garrote, Chain-Cadena, Scarf-handkerchief.
The use of flexible weapons are found throughout the Philippine archipelago. Though no longer used as affluently today as they once were. The Filipino culture have an array of flexible weapons and techniques to call on from there traditional tribal arts.
Most flexible weapons techniques tend to operate in the reverse of other traditional Filipino weapon techniques.
Most of the time though, Eskrima-Kali stylists first learn the concepts of armed combat applications then progress to empty-hand techniques. To learn rope techniques you need to be proficient in empty hand techniques before learning captures, takedowns, and restraint techniques. There is a variety of rope and chain techniques to choose from, depending on the length, weight, and strength of each weapon. A chain, cord, or heavy rope can be used for whipping strikes. Lighter rope and twine can be fashioned into a noose, or used to capture and bind an attacker.
Projectile Weapons-Blowguns, Darts, Sling Shots, Bows, and Arrows.
The use of these weapons declined significantly after the introduction of Spanish weapons, and sword and dagger techniques. The Filipino people still used such weapons for hunting and survival, but for practical reasons when facing war and combat the new weapons and techniques introduced by the Spanish were used more often. Projectile weapons are stealth weapons and work best when hidden and quietly waiting for the prey or from a distance with the bow and arrow. You will rarely find these weapons taught anymore as part of the format in Eskrima-Kali but they are still very useful and adaptable weapons to train in.
Referance: F.A.T.E. Filipino Martial arts Solo Training Manual
Copyright Ā© 2000/2001 F.A.T.E. all rights reserved.
