|  |
Kali
/ Escrima Terminology
The
following are some of the more commoly used terms in both
kali and escrima. Always remember that there can be
different terms, or names for the same thing, depending
on which of the numerous Filipino languages is being used.
Terms:
Abanico: fan (quick
wrist snap strike)
Alive
hand: your non-weapon hand or monitor
hand
Ala
contra: counter to, against
Alisto: look, be
ready, prepared
Ampo: pray,
meditate
Anting: magic
amulet that gives power to the owner
Barong: leave shaped short sword
Basko: dropping strike
Bolo: short sword used by
farmers
Cob
cob:
Tap, tap
Corto
Curvado:
bend, have curve, half the distance to abanico
Decadena: chain or series of
strikes
Elastico: body shifting technique
where the feet usually stay planted
Enganyo: to fake or feint
Floretti: small oval like a flower
petal
Garotte: escrima stick, also
called, kahoi, baston, or olise
Groupings: set of close in fighting
techniques using the alive hand
High
Eagle Wing:
block with kahoi facing down, also called a roof block
Gunting:
scissors
Kris: moro sword with wavy
blade
Kalasag: shield
Lakang: to step
Larga
Mano:
long range fighting
Luhod: kneel
Maestro: high level instructor
Numerada: by the numbers
Otra
Vez:
to repeat
Parada: to parade or exhibit
Pares: pairs
Payong: unbrella or overhead
block, strike
Porma: form
Praction: to hit an opponent a
fraction of a second before the opponent strikes
Ritic: snap strike with the
wrist vertical that returns on the same path, also called
"witic"
Saagan: deflect or block
Sagawas: from the outside
Saludo: salute
Sayaw: dance, as in the kata
Sige: begin, start
Teros: strike, hit
Tindug: stand
Toyok: turn
V
Strike:
snap strike with 45 degree vertical wrist, also utilizing
hip snap together with wrist snap
The
Salute:
In
almost every martial art there is usually some form of
salutation or greeting prior to the begining of any
training, either as a group or with a partner. In
Shotokan karate for example, you will often have to bow
to the Shomen, to your Sensei, to a Sempai, or to your
partner. Balintawak Escrima is no exception.
In
Balintawak Escrima as taught by my instructor, Datu
Lowell Manabe, the following salutation is given prior to
all training and it is always accompanied by a specific
series of hand and foot movements.
From
me to you, respect forever.
May
you forever be shielded and protected from evil.
I
want you to be blessed, from heaven and earth.
I
give you this blessing from the heart.
It
has been said many times that "karate begins and
ends with courtesy", and I think it is fair to say
that a similar sentiment can be found within most martial
arts, regardless of their place of origin. The traditions
that are upheld, and the respect that is paid to each
person within the framework of Balintawak Escrima are
also a prime example of this kind of respect, which is
all to clearly evident by the words contained in the
saludo shown above.
Part
the clouds - see the way.
"The
objective of karate-do is to contribute to the evolution
of
the human spirit through physical and mental training."
Sensei
Peter Lindsay
|
