Throughout the country, you'll find schools that teach the arts of Karate, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Taekwondo and other well-known types of martial arts. There are some ancient martial arts, however, that are far less well known, but equally interesting. Take a look at the following unusual forms of martial arts.
While you might have heard of Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines dance and fighting, the Egyptian art of Tahtib is far less well known. Practitioners combines traditional folk dancing and fighting with sticks. The stick is about 12 feet long and you are meant to take turns striking each other in the head with the stick. Typically, these days Tahtib is more ceremonial than actually injurious, but sometimes dancer/fighters do get carried away as the music increases in intensity.
Practically every country in the world has one or more types of martial arts that incorporates stick fighting and Ireland is certainly no exception to this rule. For many hundreds of years, men in Ireland practiced Bataireacht, which eventually became highly associated with gang violence and sort of fell out of favor with many Irish. However, in the past few decades, Bataireacht has increased a bit in popularity as a way to honor Irish heritage.
While Okichitaw is not an ancient sport, it is fairly unusual. It was developed by George Lepine, of the Plains Cree First Nation in Canada. Okichitaw combines a variety of hand-to-hand combat techniques, as well as the use of weapons, including a tomahawk as well as what is known as the gunstock war club. This club resembles its namesake, a gun stock, and has been used by various First Nation tribes for more than 200 years.
In ancient Hawaii, Kapu Ku'ialua, also known just as Lua, was an impressive form of martial art that was in some ways similar to Jiu-Jitsu in that some fighting techniques include joint locks and manipulating pressure points on the body. However Lua also incorporated a variety of weaponry helping fighters utilize whatever items were readily available. For instance, one is taught to use a canoe paddle as a weapon, as well as the Leiomano, which is club with imbedded shark teeth.
For the Maori people of New Zealand, their own form of martial art or combat called Mau rakau. This method of fighting includes the use of several different weapons but most especially a special stick often fashioned from whale bone. This weapon, known as a taiaha, is said to have been a gift to the Maori from their God of War and their God of the Forest.
While you might have heard of Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines dance and fighting, the Egyptian art of Tahtib is far less well known. Practitioners combines traditional folk dancing and fighting with sticks. The stick is about 12 feet long and you are meant to take turns striking each other in the head with the stick. Typically, these days Tahtib is more ceremonial than actually injurious, but sometimes dancer/fighters do get carried away as the music increases in intensity.
Practically every country in the world has one or more types of martial arts that incorporates stick fighting and Ireland is certainly no exception to this rule. For many hundreds of years, men in Ireland practiced Bataireacht, which eventually became highly associated with gang violence and sort of fell out of favor with many Irish. However, in the past few decades, Bataireacht has increased a bit in popularity as a way to honor Irish heritage.
While Okichitaw is not an ancient sport, it is fairly unusual. It was developed by George Lepine, of the Plains Cree First Nation in Canada. Okichitaw combines a variety of hand-to-hand combat techniques, as well as the use of weapons, including a tomahawk as well as what is known as the gunstock war club. This club resembles its namesake, a gun stock, and has been used by various First Nation tribes for more than 200 years.
In ancient Hawaii, Kapu Ku'ialua, also known just as Lua, was an impressive form of martial art that was in some ways similar to Jiu-Jitsu in that some fighting techniques include joint locks and manipulating pressure points on the body. However Lua also incorporated a variety of weaponry helping fighters utilize whatever items were readily available. For instance, one is taught to use a canoe paddle as a weapon, as well as the Leiomano, which is club with imbedded shark teeth.
For the Maori people of New Zealand, their own form of martial art or combat called Mau rakau. This method of fighting includes the use of several different weapons but most especially a special stick often fashioned from whale bone. This weapon, known as a taiaha, is said to have been a gift to the Maori from their God of War and their God of the Forest.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine loves writing about mixed martial arts benefits. To get more info about martial arts in San Diego or to find San Diego boxing lessons, please check out The Arena MMA site today.
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