ESCRIMA / KALI

Eskrima or Escrima refers to a class of Filipino Martial Arts that emphasize stick and sword fighting.  The term and the art most probably originates from the Spanish word esgrima which is the term for fencing.  Other related terms which have entered into common usage include “Kali” and “Arnis de Máno” (“harness of the hand”).  Occasionally, the abbreviation “FMA” (“Filipino Martial Arts”) is used.

The teaching of the basic skills in Escrima are traditionally simplified. With limited time to teach flashy and intricate techniques, only skills that were proven effective in battle and could easily be taught in mass, were used.  This allowed villagers, generally not professional soldiers, a measure of protection against other villages, as well as foreign invaders. This philosophy of simplicity is still used today and is the underlying base of Escrima instruction.

Because of this approach, Escrima is often mistakenly considered to be a “simple” fighting art. However, this refers only to its systematization, not effectiveness.  To the contrary, beyond the basic skills lies a very complex structure and a refined skill set that takes years to master.

For more information on Escrima, visit the Wikipedia page.