austronesian martial arts

[krys]

It is well known that filipinos are from austronesian origin. Are some of you practicing other austronesian martial arts (besides escrima, silat; exple hawaian lua, maori m.a. ). Let us discuss it...

[haumana2000]

I have written the first comprehensive book on the subject, what would you like to know?

[krys]

Thanks for answering Haumana.
I didn't know there was a book on the subject. Could you give references to your book?

I just heard of hawaian Lua or "bone breaking".
What are the different arts called?
Are they structured (i.e. striking, wrestling, weapon arts)?
Where were (are) theyt taught?
Are there some specific principles of these arts?
Given your experience in fmas did you notice some common points with the filipino martial arts?


By the way are there some videos around?
It happens that I am part-french, I just wonder if these arts are still practiced in french polynesia?

Thanks,
Christian.
Mabuhay ang filipino Silat at Arnis.

[haumana2000]

Hey KRYS, It so happens that My ethnicity is French Polynesian and Filipino, my dads family came from the Society Islands to Papeete. My last name is Charboneau, small world. Any way on to your questions:

1. My book is entitled "TOA" (Polynesian genrealization for Warrior) Contrasts in the Island Warriors which explores the martial traditions of each island group and region Polynesia Micronesia, and Melanesia. It will hopefully be out this year, just waiting on some last minute editing and red tape.

2. Martial arts: There are different forms some organized, some not, some are merely preserved in dance form, others more modern, and some retain strong tradition.
Aotearoa(new zealand) probably has done the best job of retaining this knowledge with several types. Mau Rakau art of weaponry including long and short weapons protocol, spirituality, chants etc.. Rongomamau is a wrestling /bonebreaking art also just called mamau.

Samoa has both modern and ancient forms, the modern being limalama from the tuiolosega family. This art was supposedly translated from 13 stickfighting arts he learned as a kid. There was traditional boxing and wrestling called Pi-ng-ga (the letter g is ng in samoan language.) There is club usage primarily based upon the nifo oti, a weapon of reverence with a hook at the wend which was used to "scoop up" the head of a vanquished enemy,in a ceremnoy called the manumalo. you can see many of the movements preserved in the siva afi or samoan fire dance. Hawaii has Lua, also called kui'alua, depending upon the deity accosiated with each halau or school. This, like those in aotearoa is more of an actual art complete with protocol, spirituality, weapons, formal learning methods, bonebreaking, boxing etc.. There are two schools of thought on this today. One is that of the Kupuna, elders in Hawaii, who believe that only hawaiians should learn. They believe that before Hawaiians can share with the world, that each young Hawaiian should be entrusted in the preservation of this art. They follow a much stricter protocol, and ceremony than the other school as it is held very sacred to them. Now, the other school, I have worked with both, is that of Olohe Kaihewalu, an excellent pratitioner here in the states, who was the first to teach outsiders, and therefore shunned by the Island community. His stance is that They are more combat oriented and pragmatic with less ritual. I have found the boxing stance of the tradtional school to be more elongated, and there are subtle differences, as Olohe also retains influences from some contemporary arts. As well, beautiful on both ends, and I am blessed to be able to call both groups my friends, and brothers. Anyway, hope this helps!

[99luftbalut]

There are some small books available through the Bishop Museum (as well as other sources) that describe the weapons and combat in Hawaii to some extent.
They included historical accounts of Kamehameha having a large number of warriors throw spears at him where he avoided some, caught one and used it to parry/break the rest.
There are also some pretty good descriptions of spear designs, and the Hawaiian wooden dagger/club combos. I have the books at home, I'll see if I can dig them up.

Haumana2000, I look forward to your book.

[haumana2000]

There is a book out right now, that I thought was one of the best works I have ever read, and extensivly describes and references the martial arts of Old Hawai'i. Kamehameha and his warrior Kekuhaupio, who was served Kamehameha as his trainer, personal guardian, and subject. It covers training methods, usage, technique descritptions etc.. expensive but great!

[99luftbalut]

If you remember the name or author of that book, I'd be interested in it, too.

[haumana2000]

the title is Kamehameha and his Warrior Kekuhaupio. A great read, but long and lengthy, not the usual pamplhlet type stuff you usually get from Bishop. The Maori Warrior is also good, it is available through the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii. But is is pretty short, and not much specifics. But great info on the mentaility, and lifestyle of the warrior. I think the author of the Maori is Hirini reedy. But can't remember offhand.

[haumana2000]

Through my research, on the subject I have compiled one of the largest collections of Pacific oriented martial studies material that I have seen anywhere else. It cracks me up, when you have guys who say they teach polynesian martial arts, and it turns out to be Kajukenbo. No dis to those guys who are good at what they do, but despite the fact that it was developed there, I rarely count much of the contemporary styles as actual polynesian or pacific island martial arts. I havent seen too much of hockheims stuff, but I know he packages his stuff as pacific island martial arts, and he means the philippines then cool, but i think he is just putting a new spin on the FMA subject. this is actually a heated topic in the Island community among some pure polynesians namely samoans and tongans. They fail to udnerstand that Hawaii is a melting pot, and get pissed when they see a mixed blood in a cultural performance group, or with a "local sticker" on their car.

[99luftbalut]

Found the book -- nearly 600 pages in paperback form.

Thanks, and keep us posted on the progress of your book.

[haumana2000]

I'll keep ya posted.

[krys]

Thanks for the info haumana,

This art was supposedly translated from 13 stickfighting arts he learned as a kid.

There seems to be a lot of stickfighting.... Does this has similarities with Arnis?
Were blades also used?

I am looking forward for your book.

Thanks,
Christian.
Mabuhay ang filipino Silat at Arnis.

[Crucible]

I have written the first comprehensive book on the subject, what would you like to know?

Haumana,
Has your book come out yet?

[haumana2000]

nope it is ready but in red tape, pm me, and i'll give you the low down I just realized Krys you asked about the stickfighting, Sticks are very prominent weapons in Pacific Island Societies.
Maori-Rakau=Stick hence the term fo fighting with them.
Yap-Guam-Palau-Chuuck- Many forms of stickfighting, and symbolism.
Hawaii' Stick dance Kala'auu With one long and one short stick, ko'koo' staff fighting, club usage etc..

Primary reason being that the islands are either Volcanic or Coral, and steel was not known until relatively late in history there. Yes there was stone tools and weapons, but a large emphasis on striking tools was the club with the Tongan and Samoan being the most beautifully ornate I have ever seen.

Here is a riddle I have been trying to solve for years maybe somebody can help me with.. Bow and arrow- Pana (in Tagalog) are known throughout the world even as close to Polynesia as Rotuma as fighting implements. But in Ancient Pacific Society they were never used for combat, only for sports like shooting at small animals, or games, the shield was rare as well. hmmmm....

[Crucible]

One of my relatives works over at Lucasfilm, she had one of the actors staying with her, a maori, who was trying out for the part of a young Jango fet(he got in the film but you see him for all of two seconds). Turns out he was MA intructor in Maori arts, he even brought one of his weapons with him. A beautiful blunt weapon that was similar in shape and feel to an axe, but as I stated-blunt and the handle didn't extend much past the hand. All one solid piece, very clear distinct weight. Felt like it could crash someones head in. It had a rope that was either looped through a hole or tied around it(I don't remember), and he would use it to spin around in the air and catch it in the same hand that the rope was tied to. I think he also knew some staff techniques, but I don't recall him demonstrating them to me. Beautiful weapon, I don't think I caught what the name of it was.