A List of Afrikan Fighting Styles

[Olùkọ́ Ọbádélé]

Neo-African Styles - Styles that aren't native or traditional to
Africa, but were developed recently from African martial art
techniques and principles.

-Afrikan Kimarekani Kutia Kivuli Ngumi
African-American Shadow Boxing. Derived from Kwa Asilia Avita Sanaa.
Used as somewhat a Revival for its predesescor and as tribute and as
rembrence of the enslaved Africans

-AKERU
is a program opened as a workshop to teach African. It is based on
Afro-Brazilian Dance, martial arts, culture, discipline, and
philosphy.

-Kamau Njia
Kamau Njia, which means "Way of the Silent Warrior" in Swahili, is
based on instinctive movement, practical concepts, and sound
principles. This is coupled with the ability to develop skills from
an individual's natural defensive and offensive movements. These
skills are thoroughly enhanced through "real time" training scenarios
against grabs, strikes, weapons, and ground attacks. Through these
training scenarios, students are better prepared to function during
the pressure and distress of violent attacks. Derived from a variety
of martial arts methods. These include Ju Jitsu, Aiki Jitsu, Kempo,
Boxing, Vee Jitsu, Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics,
Filipino/Indonesian Martial Arts and African Dance.

-Kiungo Cha Mkono
(a.k.a. "Shackle Hands" and "The Shackle Hand Style") is an art
developed by Master Nganga Mfundishi Tolo-Naa from traditional
African arts. The hands are linked together based on the concept that
two hands are better than one. It is also symbolic of Africans in
slavery. It takes traditional blocks and strikes and combines into
one action. This defense can be practical in application, but it is
more flashy than anything. There are three levels, 1) hands joined at
the wrist, 2) hands are separated, and 3) hands are crossed as the
Egyptians are often depicted. The last being the highest level and
symbolizes spiritual cultivation.

Kupigana Ngumi- Known as the "Essence of African Martial Arts,"
Kupigana Ngumi is a comprehensive term that is inclusive of all
Afrikan Martial Arts systems. Recognized for its rhythmic dance like
movements, Kupigana Ngumi was founded in the 60's by Shaha Mfundishi
Massi and Nganga Mfundishi Taloo-Naa. Kupigana Ngumi Is a complete
system designed around four areas of training they are: Cultural,
Emotional, Mental and Fitness.

Mshindi Vita Saana- "Mshindi Vita Saana" is Kiswahili for "Champion
War Art" or Victor('s) War Art. Mshindi Vita Saana is a system of
self defense developed for and by people of African descent (African
Americans.) Using an African frame of reference, Mshindi Vita Saana
approaches self defense using rhythm, strategy, coordination and
agility to highlight traditional and contemporary movements. At its
core, Mshindi Vita Saana reflects the graceful elaborate polyrhythms
found in African dance and music.
African Martial Arts- These arts are native to Africa

Algeria
-El Matreg
A North African martial art most commonly practiced as entertainment
in Algeria. In this, two players fight using long sticks – the idea
is to score points by outwitting and out-maneuvering your opponent.

Angola
-Bassula
This Angolan art's sole purpose is to immobilize the opponent.
However, because of the high risk of injury, the modern objective is
to only knock them down. A predecessor of Capoeira.

-Gabetula
An Angolan art that supposedly involved punching that later
contributed to the art of Capoeira.

-Kamangula
An Angolan martial art and predecessor of Capoeira, this art is much
like modern Slap Boxing, it consists of bash your opponent open-
handed.

-N'gola
(or N'golo) An Angolan ritual martial art (used by the Bantu and
Mucupis peoples) in which two males would fight in order to win a
bride presented by the parents of the girl. The fight uses both hands
and feet all to knock the opponent down. The winner would prove his
bravery in order to recieve his wife. A predecessor of Capoeira.

-Njinga
An Angolan art that later contributed to the art of Capoeira.

Congo
-Gwindulumutu
a head bashing style of martial arts from Congo

-Kipura
A martial art of Congo in which the fighting techniques are based on
that of a rooster's. Believed to be an predecessor of Capoeira.

-Mousondi
a Martial art that later lead to the development of Kalenda.

Egypt
-Aha
(a.k.a. Kemetic Aha, Ahah, Kemet Mariama) Aha is a tricky form of
boxing and grappling practiced by the Kemites. According to some
sorces, it was practiced exclusively by Kemetic priests.

-Hikuta
An ancient Egyptian boxing art still used today. The basis for Hikuta
is the ancient art of Kuta. Today Hikuta is used for very modern
reasons, mostly the defeat of criminals.

-Kuta
Kuta was initially developed by the bodyguards of the ancient
Pharoahs in Egypt as the most efficient and effective way to defend
their king. Kuta remained top secret amongst the Asian rulers for
over a thousand years until military soldiers found out the secrets.
Today Kuta is the basis for the art of Hikuta

-Naboot
Supposedly almost the same as Tahteeb, except that the fighters use
longer staffs. *NOTE: Other sources say Naboot isn't a martial art,
but the name of the staff used in Tahteeb.

-Nubian Wrestling
Nuba wrestling, practiced for over 3,000 years, is one of the oldest
forms of this ancient sport. The earliest known portrayal of Nubian
wrestlers is found on a wall painting from the tomb of Tyanen, an
Egyptian officer who died in 1410 B.C. While it is known that
Egyptians recruited Nubian archers into their army, maybe this
picture implies that Nubian wrestlers were also highly valued by the
Egyptians. "Nubian" is a common term the Egyptians used to describe
all brown- and black-skinned people living to the south. After
studying the various wall paintings depicting Nubian wrestlers and
comparing them to the myriad tribes in what is now modern-day Sudan,
archaeologists, anthropologists, and historians have determined that
the Nubas of southern Kordofan are most likely the descendants of the
ancient Nubian wrestlers. Ancient Greek wrestling and Nuba wrestling
are similar in style—the wrestlers are nude and score by takedowns
(not pinning). These wrestlers can use their entire body, but modern
Greco-Roman-style wrestling allows the competitors to use only their
upper bodies for takedowns. Nuba wrestling, however, most likely
predates Greek wrestling by several hundred years and has remained
essentially unchanged for millennia.

- Sebekkah
A native grappling art of Egypt. According to one of our MartialTalk
posters, Sebekkah requires much waist power in its movements.

-Tahteeb
Tahteeb is played mostly in the Northern regions of Egypt by tuff men
young and old who enjoy the challenge of a good fight, also it is a
great way to show machismo and rack up potential brides. Like Surma
stickfighting of southern Sudan, Tahteeb is played only by men and
can get very bloody when two opponents do not particularly like one
another. When Tahteeb is played nicely one man will attack and the
other will only defend and then vice versa, but when men do not like
each other and they play together suddenly the rules change and the
real rules are announced, there are no rules. Due to the fullcontact
aspect of Tahteeb, parrying and blocking are essentials to survival
when playing the game, striking is the norm and joint locking is
almost unheard off.

-Ta-Merrian
An Egyptian martial art that is based on totem animal movements and
spirit dances.


Eritrea
-Testa
Testa, or Riesy, is a brutal Eritrean headbutting art. It may also
include kicks, hand strikes, parries, grabs, etc. Hand, foot, and
grabbing techniques are very intricate and are solely used in order
to strike the opponent with the "Big Knuckle", or head. A Testaman
may even bite the opponent's windpipe or groin out of pure
desperation.

Ethiopia
-Dula Meketa
the stick fighting art of the Oromo people of Ethiopia

-Re-Efi-Areh-Ehsee
An Ethiopian martial art that is used as a way to convey cultural
identity through a fighting system.

-Surma
or Donga Stick Fighting, is a test of nerves and brute strength. The
Donga of Ethiopia is fought to prove masculinity, settle personal
vendettas, and most importantly, to win wives. The 50 or more men who
participate in each tournament represent different villages. The
contestants fight in heats, with the winners going on to the next
round until the competition narrows to two finalists. The winner of
the last bout wins the entire contest

Gambia
-Borey
Borey is from the Gambia it is a grappling art of the Mandiga; it
consists of knees, headbutts, kicks and holds to break the neck, leg,
collar bone and arm. There is a similar art in Senegal called Laamb.

-Gambian Wresting
Gambian Wrestling is an African martial art that is a deep-seated
tradition and national sport. The warriors wear loincloths
called "Juju's" and strut, dance, spar, and brag in challenge of
noisy support from the drums. The fight continues until a contestant
is brought to the ground. Punching, kicking, spitting and flinging
sand in the eyes is all legal. After sundown, the atmosphere builds
with excitment as the champions come out to fight. Note: May be the
same as Borey.

Guinea
- Peul
A martial art of Guinea

Kenya
-Kayti
Arguably the first of all weapon-based martial arts, Kayti represents
the origins of all weaponry. Though centered in Africa (primarily
Kenya), the roots come from all over Africa. Kayti is the predecessor
to modern swordplay (from China) and the better known Islamic Kali
(from Philippines).

-Massaï
The fighting techniques and disciplines of the Masai people of Kenya

Madagascar
-Morengy
The traditional boxing martial art of Madagascar

Morocco
- Maratabeen
An Arab martial art of Morocco

Nigeria
-Dambe
Dambe, or Hausa Boxing, is a fist fighting system from Nigeria
consisting of kicks, punches, knees and headbutts. Dambe is a savage
method of empty hand combat and a testament to the creativity of
African warriors.

-Gidigbo
A kind of Wrestling practiced by the Yoruba of Western Nigeria

-Igba Magba
A martial art native to Nigeria

-Korokoro
A ritual martial art intertwined with the Korokoro dance of Nigeria.

Réunion
-Moringue
A stick fighting art of Réunion.

Senegal
-Béri
A native style of wrestling from Senegal

-Borey
The art of Borey is also native to Senegal, and (in the Senegal
style) consists of punching, kicking, headbutting, grappling, and
joint locks

-Dioula
a native martial art of Senegal

-Laamb
Laamb (a.k.a. "Senegalese wrestling") is a wrestling art that takes
place in Senegal. Before the event the beating of the drums along
with the mellow voices of the singers will alert everyone that it's
about to start. The crowd would gather around a sandy pit and watch
several bouts before the final bout of 2 champions. The fighters
would wear "wrappers" around their waist, which would be provided by
their fiances or female relatives, and the rest of their body will be
naked. The winner must knock his opponent's knees, shoulder, or back
to the sand. Strikes and slaps are allowed nowadays.

-Mkazo Ncha Shikana
African pressure point grappling. Most commonly practiced in Senegal.

- N'oboro
A stick fighting art from Senegal

-Olva
A native style of wrestling from Senegal

South Africa
-Isinaphakade Samathongo
an ancestral esoteric warrior system practiced by the Zulu and Xhosa
tribes of South Africa. The system emphasizes strong combative
techniques and ethical philosophy. It is used as an initiation into
the "warrior-priest caste" of the two tribes.

-Musangwa
A martial art of South Africa. It consists of punching, headbutting,
earslaps, and knees.

-Nguni Stick Fighting
Stick-fighting in Nguni-speaking areas of South Africa has an
educational role, it teaches young members of society social values,
gender roles, the worthy nature and respectability of physical
endeavors. Zulu and Xhosa boys begin learning at an early age the
utilitarian function of sport, sharpening physical skills and mental
attitudes necessary for hunting game and combat. The rise of stick-
fighting as a physical contest created a stage for young boys to
assert themselves within a specific age-group, achieve a social
identity in competition with others, and, possibly, achieve a degree
of 'independence' unavailable to the common person.

-Zulu Stick Fighting
(or Zulu Impi) Long past its days of glory, stick fighting is no
longer a common practice among the Zulu people, and practitioners
struggle to validate its existence in these days of political
turmoil, acculturation, and modernisation. Nonetheless, stick
fighting appears to assist in upholding the traditional social system
by perpetuating socially accepted modes of male behaviour and ideals.
Stick fighting, as a cultural tradition, therefore continues to
fulfil its traditional didactic function in some Zulu communities.

Sudan
-Nuba Stick Fighting
Rarely practiced today, traditional Nuba Stick fights are most
commonly practiced among the Moro tribe. The stick-fighting is a
contest conducted by, as the name indicates, a stick and a shield
between two contestants, This sport is always carried out at the end
of autumn and the beginning of harvest, and it is completely
forbidden during the cultivation season, in case it puts the youths
off their work. Stick fighting is part of the ceremonies that follow
the harvest, in which thanks is given to God for providing a good
harvest. It is embedded in the spiritual traditions of the people.

-Nuba Wrestling
The ancestor of the ancient Nubian Wrestling; practiced by the Nuba
tribe. "Wrestling is more than just a sport to the Nubas—it is a
seminal part of their culture with both social and religious
purposes. Boys prepare for manhood through wrestling competitions.
Successful wrestlers achieve a higher status that follows them
through life. Wrestling also has connections with fertility rites,
ancestral worship, and animistic beliefs. It is so intertwined with
all aspects of Nuba culture, it is feared that if the Nuba were to
lose wrestling, it might cause them to lose other customs."- National
Geographic

-Toubata
A native wrestling art of Sudan

Togo
-Evala
Evala is a wrestling sport practiced by the Kabye people of northern
Togo. In wrestling competitions, boys try to prove there manhood by
winning an Evala wrestling match and is used as an intiation ceremony

-Zvaha
A native wrestling martial art of Togo

Unknown Country of Origin
-Yuna Onse
An art that is very similar to Capoeira, as it is one of its many
predecessors

Caribbean Arts- These arts were developed by the African slaves of
the Caribbean

Cuba
-Mani
Mani, a fighting-dance martial art, grew in 19th century among slaves
of sugar plantations in Cuba. Only the men take part in it. The
dancer in the circle does movements simulating fight, and chooses a
protagonist among the others men of the circle. Then the
elected "adversary" comes in the circle, and, in harmony with the
other dancer, executes a choregraphy of movements, beetween fight and
dance.

Curaçao
-Koko Makaku
The walking stick, Koko Makuku, was in fashion in Curaçao in the
early 20th century. In addition to being used as a walking stick,
the "koko makaku" was also used as a defensive weapon and for
cultural and sports activities. Among these were stick-dancing, stick-
fighting and the tambú game 'blood for the drum', thus reports René
Rosalia in his contribution to the 'third seminar on Latin-American
and Caribbean folklore', which took place in Curaçao in 1990. Stick-
fighting, performed during tambú feasts, is also mentioned by father
Paul Brenneker in his series "Sambubu".
As in the old times practically every man went out with a stick, the
development of the game of sticks was obvious, according to
Brenneker. "The game of sticks was not bound to seasons or
festivities and in former days it used to be played on Sundays, at
approximately 4 o'clock in the afternoon. It was a game of skills.
Each of two men held his stick at the ends, approached the other and
danced and jumped around to the rhythm of the singing and clapping of
hands of the spectators. A drummer would beat time. The men were
supposed to defend their own head with their stick and simultaneously
make efforts to strike the opponent with it on his head. They
manipulated the sticks masterfully. If one of them saw an opportunity
to deal a blow to the other on his head, he would be the winner. If
the loser bled from his head wound, the bystanders would
shout: "sanger pa tambú" (blood for the drum). The loser had to let
some blood flow on the skin of the drum." This was made from a wine
or rum barrel.

Guadeloupe
-Bénolè
(or Bénolin) a stick fighting art of Guadeloupe.

-Mayolet
(or Mayolé) Mayolet is a stick fighting martial art from Guadoloupe.
It was developed from Danmyé.

-Sové Vayan
(or Sovayan) a stick fighting art that was created developed in
Guadeloupe

Haiti
-Pinge
A Haitian martial art developed by the African slaves residing there.
Developed for the same reasons as Machet'e and Capoeira

Jamaica
-Bangaran
A martial art developed by the maroons of Jamaica. Bangaran is taught
from generation to generation.

-Machet'e
A Jamaican martial art developed by African Slaves out of a burning
desire for freedom.

Martinique
-Danmyé (a.k.a. "Ladja") is the first martial art to ever be
practiced in Martinique. Some slaves from Senegal and elsewhere, that
were on there way to the island of Gorée created a fighting art
inspired by the initiation ceremony of "N'golo", which symbolized the
passing from adolescence to adulthood and included a confrontation
which took the form of a fight. Fights were practiced in festivals,
village fairs, and appointed fights until 1947, when the authorities
banned Danmyé. There are many places to practice: in pitts, in front
of a bank during a carnival, and bèlè events (what ever that is). The
wrestler has to get the upperhand of his opponent while respecting
the drummer's pace. A fighter can win by referee's ruling afte a
decision blow, one of fighter being hit more than the other (amount
of points in a 2-minute fight), lifting your opponent off the ground,
or being immobilized on the ground (Kakan). It combines strikes with
wrestling and grappling skills. The wrestlers determine the fightin
space by dancing around in a ring to the rhythm of the drum, known as
the introductory stage of the fight. The wrestler then draws an
invisible circle which represents a magic space and any person
entering the circle is an opponent. However, all strikes must be
restrained and given without intending to hit. They can only be given
to drive the opponent to refuse a hand-to-hand fight. The wrestler
has to hit and move in harmony with the rhythm or the guilty party
would be disqualified. The main goal is to score more points than the
opponent does and hit without being hit.

Trinidad
-Kalenda
(or Kalinda) It is believed that kalinda began around 1860 when the
freed slaves organized themselves into competing bands and held
performances. Men, women and children gathered to sing, dance and be
entertained by stick fights. The aim of each stick fighter was to
deliver a blow that would hit the opponent on the body - any part
above the waist - hard enough to fell him to the ground. Blows were
usually aimed at the head and damage to the skull was a very common
occurrence in stick fighting. The rules of the game were few.
Hitting "under the belt" or striking a player when he fell or was
forced to kneel was an infringement. Again, as long as a player's
skull was cut he had to retire and drain the blood into the "blood
hole", a hollow made for this purpose in the ground in the center of
the fighting ring. The stick used was between three and four feet
long and was about seven-eighths of an inch in diameter. It was made
of cog-wood, the wood of the yellow poui tree or even the sour guava.

-Trinidad Stick Fighting
(a.k.a. 'Bois' or 'Sticklick') is an art from Carriacou. It was
confined to two communiteis, Mt. Desire and La Resource. A conch
shell is blown to call the drummers and the batonniers to the ring.
There are many stances the main is to hold it with 2 hands in front
of your face for defense and let swing down to which ever way you
need. The object is to strike your opponet while moving away
artistically to make them look foolish. It is a serious full contact
art that can open gashes on the head and chest. Music is very
important in most African arts and this is no exception. When the
contestants get in the ring, different songs are played on the drums
to help the contestants along.


African Diasporic Arts of South America -These arts were developed by
the African slaves of South America

Brazil
-Bate Coxa
Used by Africans of bigger stature, the object of Bate Coxe was to
knock the opponent down using collisions of the thigh. Bets were made
of money or even women. A predecessor of Capoeira

-Batuque
(a.k.a. Capoeira Batuque) Batuque is supposedly much like Capoeira
(and one it's many predecessors), but much more dance-influenced.
Much emphasis on kicking.

-Capoeira
Capoeira was created by African slaves, in Brazil, approximately 400
yrs. Ago as a martial art. Capoeira possesses a very unique style
that brings together beauty and power, developing mental balance,
physical conditioning, self-defense, music and a profound sense of
art, all at once. Capoeira can be done by anyone of any age or size.
More than a martial art, Capoeira is also a social event filled with
tradition and history.
The one thing that stands out for someone witnessing a Capoeira game
for the first time is the music. The music and lyrics play a big part
in the way the game or jogo will be conducted. Different rythms call
for a different speed and type of game. The lyrics which are
traditionally in Brazilian Portuguese, also dictate game
characteristics.
The next thing that strikes observers about Capoeira is that the
movements of the players are very different from any other type of
martial art. A circle or roda is formed with the muscicians at the
foot of it known as the pe da roda. This is where the players usually
enter the roda with a cartwheel or some other type of move. Once in
the roda the players (Capoeiristas) move and interact/react in
various combinations of acrobatic and poetic moves. Capoeira has two
forms, Capoeira Angola and Capoeira Regional. Angola is the original
form. Angola is slower paced with subtle yet cunning moves and much
longer games. The moves are slower, apparently relaxed and close to
the ground. Regional is faster paced with more dynamic, acrobatic yet
much shorter games. Regional is a newer form of Capoeira spawned from
Angola. The players stay mainly erect and throw faster attacks, with
more Jumps

-Luta do Bode
A headbutting martial art used by the Africans in Brazil. The goal is
to knock the opponents head till the death. For this reason, the art
is little used today. A predecessor of Capoeira

Suriname
-Susa
Susa is an art very similar (and may be a style of) Capoeira that is
practiced by the Saramaccan and Ndyuka diasporic people of Suriname

Venezuela
-Broma
An Afro-Venezuelan martial art

African Diasporic Arts of North America -These arts were developed by
the African slaves of North America

United States of America
-Jailhouse Rock
In order to understand how an African martial art came to be in the
Prison system in the evolved gloriously mutated manifestation known
as "Jail House Rock" one needs to understand the political, economic
and racially charged environment of the United States before and
principally after the great "Civil War".
During the African Holocaust of slavery many African warriors were
captured and with them came their traditional fighting arts. For
obvious reasons most of the arts went underground or died out but not
all of them. For example "Boxing" matches pitting African slaves
between different plantations were popular as well as cockfighting
and dog fights. The Europeans have been practicing the African art
of "Boxing" for millenniums every since the Greeks adopted it from
ancient Kemet (Egypt). Stick fighting to a very limited degree and
the art of kicking and knocking were sometimes permitted. Exploiting
the slave loophole in the Thirteenth Amendment the former slave
states began utilizing the penal system to re-institute Slavery visa
via the Black Codes. It is during this time period that African
martial arts left over from slavery began to creep into the penal
system. Here are some examples of the Black Codes. African caught
without "visible means of support" could be made "indentured
servants" to a white employer by the courts of law with penal
imprisonment being his punishment if he left his new "slave master".
Excessive fines were levied against Africans for minor offenses and
then the courts would turn around sentence these Africans to work for
planters who would pay their fines. African orphans were turned over
to white slave masters to work for free until they reached adulthood.
To make matters worse those Africans who tried to migrate to other
states to escape the new slavery functioning under the guise of penal
conviction were forced to "post bonds or be declared vagrants,
subject to arrest". It is in this hostile racist environment that
African martial systems that had survived the original slavery
entered the penal system of the United States via ex-slaves and
mutated into various styles at different prisons. Since the African
language had long been forbidden and forgotten new regional names
were developed to reference the art. Some of them are Jail-House-
Rock, Closing Gates, 52, 42, Strato, PK, Mount Meg, Comstock,
Gorilla, BarnYard etc. Due to the contemporary politics of the United
States and the profitable running of prisons by private corporations
this lethal art continues to thrive as a functional necessity of
modern African Americans.

-Kicking and Knocking
A fearsome kicking and head-butting art developed by the African
slaves.

-Kwa Asilia Avita Sanaa
Kwa Asilia Avita Sanaa is a deadly fighting art that can be used as
an educational system, a competitive sport, and a form of self-
enlightenment. Although Kwa Asilia Avita Sanaa attempts to remain
consistant with the fighting systems of ancient African warriors, it
does not emphasize the traditional methods of guerrilla warfare
(Ambush, Assassination, and stealth). Instead emphasis is placed on
internal development, meditation, breath control, and healing which
includes medical gymnastic (self-defense techniques).

I could find no information on the following arts:
Batonique (May be the Same as Batuque)
MgBwa (may be the same as Igba Magba)
Tekengumi
Yangumi
Yara
Zuar

If you have any suggestions, corrections, or additions, please post
them.