Pedro Silva`s article “Jogo do Pau and the differences between Duelling and Group Combat” – for STICKMATA

2019
Jogo do Pau – Cepães (Fafe) - Portugal

Pedro Silva`s “Stickmata LAB” (Immersion Labs Foundation) on Jogo do Pau

Small introduction about Jogo do Pau in general

I still remember the day I googled about the Jogo do Pau schools... It seemed that in
the north was inexistent, except from 2 or 3 very old posts. Since I was very curious, I had to
visit the places mentioned and ask around. So I picked up my car and there i went... Just with a
camera and my curiosity.

The decision I made that day proved to be the best choice I made in my entire martial
arts career. What I found along the years blew my mind! What I found gave me the keys I
needed to understand the combat arts beyond the duelling context and also to understand the
art of fencing.

Jogo do Pau is a Portuguese traditional fighting art. The practionner uses a wooden
staff, measured to his nose height. The staff is used both with 2 hands (preferable) and with 1
hand. It`s one of the few European martial arts that still exist in a (more or less) intact old
form.

The word “Jogo” has double meaning - “skill” or “game” and the word “Pau” means
“stick” or “staff”. So, Jogo do Pau is the “Staff skill” or the “Staff game”. It`s important to point
out that the word “Jogo” is used in the Spanish, French and Italian fencing cultures.

Although there are no known documents about the origin, it`s well accepted that Jogo
do Pau (JdP) came from the north of Portugal and/or old Galiza (Galicia) territory (which was
for long time a common territory – part Spain, part Portugal). The documents we have
available today can trace JdP as far the 19th century (1825) and the oldest manual is from 1886
(from Guimarães, a city in the north) – but by cross reference, we are pretty sure it`s way older
than that. In the end of the 19th century, beginning of 20th century, Jogo do Pau migrated to
the south, with the wave of poor people and peasants from the north looking for a better life
in the capital – Lisbon.

In the capital, JdP – now in a different context (the city) –

changed into a more duelling game. His northern spirit of outnumbered
and group battle gave room to the duelling game. It`s also important to
remember that the end of the 19th century was the start of the “sport”
fashion in Europe. We have enough evidence that Jogo do Pau also went
along the “sports fashion” at a certain time. In the north, however, JdP
was still actively used in another way. The staff was needed as a mean to
dispute quarrels and self-defence, both in group and individual settings.
This kind of context (very different, in the same time period, then the
Braga district - Portugal one in the south) existed till the 1980`s in the area of Fafe (a north
region). It`s empirically estimated that in Fafe 90% of the men knew how

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Pedro Silva`s article “Jogo do Pau and the differences between Duelling and Group Combat” – for STICKMATA 2019
Jogo do Pau – Cepães (Fafe) - Portugal

to use the staff if needed and that no man would leave his house without carrying a staff in the
hand.

So, to make a long story short, JdP in the north schools is quite different from the
south version: more focused on group and outnumbered combat games; more simple in
nomenclature; with quite different teaching methods; and taught almost unchanged from
generation to generation. In the small villages where it still exists, the men are not exposed to
internet and academic findings; they just play the staff as a vulgar and normal craft. For them
it`s something that is as normal as playing football in the backyard. And, for a few of them, is a
tradition that runs in their own blood.

Sadly however, Jogo do Pau is dying by the day in the overall north`s picture. I`ve
found a few different places where the «staff culture» existed, still exists in some form or is re-
emerging. But... the only place in the north where I found it to be alive and growing, is in the
place of Cepães – a small village, part of Fafe region, Braga district, Portugal.

The Cepães tradition is part of the Fafe tradition. Jogo do

Pau was very popular and well spread throughout the entire
region along the 20th century. Before that, we have no data to
support its existence, but we know it existed, by oral testimonies
and cross references.

The person that spread and unified all the schools in a

more or less identical way was a man called José Leite – known as
“Mestre Quéu”. This Master died in the 1980`s, but his legacy still
Mestre José Leite “Quéu” – around exists in the Cepães group – the only that followed his teachings
1980 and has still his original students, now the heads of the school:
José Avelino and José Carlos Melo – both with more than 50 years
of practice!

The Cepães`s group of Jogo do Pau - late 1970`s.

Mestre “Quéu” is in the left side, in white.

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Pedro Silva`s article “Jogo do Pau and the differences between Duelling and Group Combat” – for STICKMATA 2019
Jogo do Pau – Cepães (Fafe) - Portugal

General differences between Group combat and Duelling

This is the second part of this article. Here I will try to go deeper (but not too much) in
these topics.

Setting the terms first (in a very general way):

 Duelling:
 1 vs 1;
 Both players are in the exact same conditions of rules and weapons
 The goal is to win/kill the opponent

 Group Combat:
 Outnumbered situation or group vs group combat
 The sides involved have different number of players and/or different weapons
 The goals are different for each side – in disadvantage, the goal is to
survive/escape/delay the fight time; in advantage the goal is to
kill/incapacitate/capture

According to the history of Fafe region, Jogo do Pau was used both in group and in
duelling. BUT, way more often in group combat.

Asymmetrical combat was the most frequent and dangerous form of fighting. Usually,
outnumbered fighting with staffs; sometimes group versus group. This combat episodes lead
people to hospital, both players and bystanders. And sometimes, someone died.

Vengeance was also normal and often a group

fight`s consequences could last for years. They happened
because of cattle business, women and quarrels of some
sort. This was so serious and frequent that the national
police had to issue a law forbidding the use of staffs on the
weekend trade fairs (the place where most of the fights
occurred).

Duelling, on the other way, seemed to be used as a

way of passing time, testing skills or establishing a position
of dominance versus other groups. There was even a time
(1940`s) where the duels where displayed to the audiences
in local festivities. A kind of sports duelling, since although
there were no referees, some rules where established.

Group fighting is, as we all know, far different from

Rare flyer from 1940 advertising
demonstrations and combat (duelling) with
staffs, between the schools of Fafe and Porto.
duelling. Is not that one is “better” than the other: it`s just
2 different things. It`s impossible to compare their true
essence.

Let`s go in detail in some more aspects.

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Pedro Silva`s article “Jogo do Pau and the differences between Duelling and Group Combat” – for STICKMATA 2019
Jogo do Pau – Cepães (Fafe) - Portugal

Mindset, Context and goals

The wrong mindset will get you in trouble. Mindset MUST be in line with goals. And
goals are determined by the context. To analyse the context it`s important to know the quality
/ grade of the opposing force(s) in that particular context.

Cepães`s Jogo do Pau group in Lisbon - 1978 - at right is Mestre Quéu

In duelling the goal is, most of the times, to win. Aiming to kill the opponent is far less
common. Using historical sources, we can differentiate 2 types of duel: sports and civilian. I
don`t want to go deeper in this topic on this article; I just want to say that in both types, rules
exist.

The duelling context is far less stressful then the group context, because in duelling
conditions (rules) are settled in advance, the number of variables in play are far less numerous
and, therefore, more easy to control. A duel is more predictable in a great extent. Because of
that, the duelling game is richer in variations, tricks and cunningness. There`s a bigger room for
personal creativity and self-expression.

Also because of that predictability, the skill level of the individual is very decisive in
duelling. Therefore, the unpredictability can only be set by the individual skills, since both
players are bound by the same limits/rules (weapon, goal, restrictions, time, terrain, schedule,
protective gear, etc, etc...), which both must obey. The other factors are controlled. The
questions “Who?”, “When?”, “How?” and “Where?” are always answered in a duel, before it
starts. If they aren`t, then it`s not a duel...

In this kind of context, although the basics are similar to all players, the game tends to
evolve in time (with hours of playing the same game) and usually becomes something unique
for each player; different players with different ways of playing the same game. We all can see
that phenomenon in any duelling game (be it sports or not), like boxing, grappling, chess, stick-
fighting, judo, olympic fencing etc...

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Pedro Silva`s article “Jogo do Pau and the differences between Duelling and Group Combat” – for STICKMATA 2019
Jogo do Pau – Cepães (Fafe) - Portugal

So, the specific quality of techniques and tactics used (the person) are the driving force
of a duel. The style will help, the teacher will help, but... it`s much about the individual – his
skills, proper mindset and tactics.

For example, in Jogo do Pau is no different when we play “contra - jogo” (the name for
duelling). The blows, footwork, tactics and even mechanics have to be specific for that game,
in order to match the context and it`s goal(s).

The group context is, as we already know, a completely different thing. The goal here
must be analysed from 2 different perspectives since, often, the forces in play are
asymmetrical. There`s usually a part that`s in disadvantage (by number or weapon) and a part
that`s in advantage (by number or weapon). In Jogo do Pau training, since the weapon is the
same for all players, the advantage/disadvantage is seen by the number of players and
geometry of the terrain (I will get to this further in the article).

In this context it`s about combat. It`s about overcoming or surviving your enemy.
There are no rules in combat. Chaos, uncertainty, fear, euphoria, fast decision making and
fatigue are factors that will be present for sure.

For the weak force, it`s uncertain or impossible to know “when”, “how”, “who” and
“where”. For the strong force (advantage), those answers are most of the times answered. The
group dictates the «rules».

So the goal in disadvantage – the

weaker force – cannot be to overcome or kill
the superior force, but instead one of surviving
or, at most, delaying the fight (waiting for
reinforcements or just sacrifice for a greater
good). The mindset to survive is not the same as
the mindset to win.

On the other end, we have the superior

force, a force that has completely different
A group game example. The “picadores” (“pike men”) goals and, therefore, another mindset. This
surround a “batedor” (“the striker”) in the game called
“Roda do meio” (“in the middle of the circle”) – Group of
party of the group combat is like a group of
Cepães, 2010. hyenas hunting a buffalo. They are more or less
a group of predators. They will maneuver in
the realms of possibility, taking advantage of opportunities, reviewing tactics and monitoring
risks at their pace. They control the fight; they are patient, cautious and deadly. The inferior
force is in reaction and the superior in action.

Strategy & Tactics

Many people mix or abuse these terms. Let`s say that Strategy can be defined by the
way to win the war, while Tactics are a way to win the battles. Strategy is long term and Tactics
are short term; circumstantial. Valid strategies are the ones that fit both the context and the
goals. Valid tactics are the ones that obey and fit the strategic plan of action.

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Pedro Silva`s article “Jogo do Pau and the differences between Duelling and Group Combat” – for STICKMATA 2019
Jogo do Pau – Cepães (Fafe) - Portugal

In that sense, since Duelling and Group Combat are 2 different contexts, they cannot
use the same strategies.

Strategy in duelling must be created according to the type of duel. It will, of course be
influenced by the type of weapons and the rules used. It may strike you familiar, but in Jogo do
Pau the main strategy is “to hit and not to get hit”; as simple as that!

One can identify and train general tactics involved in such strategy, with different
variations and, then, some «surprises» from player to player (the so called “personal tricks”).
The specific tactical decision is taken by the individual, by the second.

In terms of group combat, the strategy will be again divided in 2 parties. The superior
and the inferior force.

Strategically, in Jogo do Pau, the inferior force will seek to push away the group, in
order to create holes and escape. The superior force will seek to surround and close in the
inferior force.

In that sense, there are different general tactics, specific to the type of scenarios
trained. The scenarios (a word I don`t like) are called “Jogos” (“Games”). “Jogos” refer to a
specific geometric terrain, a specific number of opponents or a specific behaviour of those
opponents. In sum, each game represents a strategic and tactical problem to either sides of
the group combat - both are training!

Techniques & Training methods

In the martial arts community is very easy to come across the idea that a style is a
paradigm. I only agree partially with this idea. Let me explain why, but first a question: after
all, what is a style?

A style, per se, is nothing but a specific (sometimes personal) approach to a particular
weapon, context and goals. A proper style must be, then, a different representation of a root
art without losing the fundamental components of that art.

In the use of impact and bladed

weapons for fighting, the general art is
normally called fencing. So, by logic and
deduction, the core principles and
guidelines of fencing must be present in
the styles of fencing. And the styles of
fencing will represent a variety of specifics
in weapons, cultures, contexts and time
periods.

Since it`s hard to agree on what

fencing is and is not, the study and analysis
“Contra-jogo”(duelling), Fafe, 1970`s
of different styles around the world is

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Jogo do Pau – Cepães (Fafe) - Portugal

perhaps needed to make the core knowledge about fencing more solid. To do that analysis,
one needs first a matrix of core principles, a clear understanding of context, culture and time
period. And then... we need to validate all that is proposed; to test the entire hypothesis, just
like a scientist in a lab.

There are universal principles, but each weapon has a specific flavour. The so called
“universal style” is thus impossible to conceive. A stick is a stick, it just changes in dimension...
It is what it is! From school to school the stick remains the same object. What will change are
just the ways around the stick. There`s nothing wrong in a style, unless it does not represent
the universal principles of the art which it belongs. And I think this goes in all things in life – for
example, a style of carpentry must represent the art of carpentry; a leaf must relay to the tree
where it came from.

In resume and in my opinion, a style is about specifics and specialization inside a

common root (be it the name “fencing” or not – it really doesn`t matter).

Specifics and specialization in the fighting arts come with the training methods. The
training methods are what make a coach different from another coach; a master different
from another master. In my opinion, they are really what makes a school style different.

In Jogo do Pau, the speciality is the staff. In Cepães`s school, we have our unique way
of training it and some «technicalities» that are different from others schools – we have out
style.

Outnumbered game. A "batedor" (alone man) is surrounded by the "picadores" (pike men) ("Roda do meio" – in the center of
the circle) – Cepães`s Jogo do Pau / Moita (Portugal), Sept 2018.

A little bit now about the training methods.

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Jogo do Pau – Cepães (Fafe) - Portugal

The class has the same format every time. We start with the basics (which we call
“rules”, “regras”). Then we progress along the “games” (“jogos”) and we finish with duelling
(“contra-jogo”). I estimate that 90% of time we focus on group context, being the rest for
duelling.

The games we have along the class are partner games and group games. Some games
are just to learn a specific move (offense - defence), a specific foot-work and a specific
sequence or mechanic; the other games are group games.

In the group games we train 1 vs 2, 1 or 2 vs many (3 or more). Those games have

several variations and are trained in different geometries: open space (a square), narrow
street, large street and wall.

So, to make it short and understandable, our Jogo do Pau structure is very simple and
straight to the point. Starts with basics, then group games with different roles, tasks and
tactics in different kinds of geometries and it ends in duelling (again with a different kind of
tactical/technical structure).

The classes work as a group training – this is very unique – not as an individual skill. We
are all part of a group and we can fight as a group or as an individual, BUT we learn and train
both in a group format.

The two Mestres (Masters) in Cepães school (José Avelino and José Carlos Melo), both with more then 50 years of practice.
Castro Daire, Portugal, Jun 2018.

The syllabus is very simple, with just the necessary to be understandable by the
players. There is not a nomenclature for every blow or parry. It works more on a simple
language and using a lot of observation and practical application. We learn by doing the same
thing again and again.

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Another thing I have to emphasize is the importance of basics. The basics are the
mechanics, the stepping and the correct understanding of the principles of fighting. This is
common knowledge for every player in the group and is present in each and every session.

Conclusions

I hope that by now the differences between duelling and group combat are clearer. I
tried to demonstrate why one thing is completely different from the other by using general
models and also the unique lessons from the style of Cepães`s Jogo do Pau.

In the way we train the staff, the duel only happens when the group has failed its main
job, namely to work as a group. The group is like a protective cloak for each and every member
and a nightmare for an outnumbered force. There is no magic in this context. If the group is
functional, it means the players know their role, strategy and tactics; it demands also that they
know the enemy behaviour. In our methods, all players experience all the roles in the different
games. This method, I believe, trains the brain to read the context faster, to orient, decide and
act accordingly (borrowing here Boyd`s OODA loop structure of human reaction process).
Therefore, with this type of training structure the mindset can switch faster, in a more
successful way.

From this we can read that the true martiality in Cepães`s Jogo do Pau is that every
single “Jogador” (player) knows how to work in a group FIRST and that the duel, the “Contra-
jogo”, is a last resort. Fighting in advantage is the heart and soul of combat. And a group is a
big advantage!

We can also read from this that every Jogador knows how to handle and recognize
impossible odds, and the mercilessness in being completely left alone in the role as Batedor
(the person alone; that try to survive the group). Because the “Picadores” (the pike men; the
men that form the group) will not challenge you one by one and risk themselves, they will
work as a pack. They will stress you as group and force you to move so that you get tired and
must give up or so that you make a mistake that opens a window to take you out.

And from all this, maybe we can learn that no man will risk his own life if it is possible
to drain his enemy of stamina and then capture or kill him with less effort. It is a lesson that
needs to be learned: fighting in advantage is the heart and soul of combat!

See you around,

Pedro Silva | Cepães`s Jogo do Pau | December, 2018

About the author:

Pedro Silva was born in 1976 in the mountain area of Portugal. He started martial arts in 1993 and is currently teaching
FMA, Jogo do Pau, Grappling and Kick/boxing in his Academy in Oporto (Portugal). He is an active member of Cepães`s Jogo do Pau
group. Also he researches history about Jogo do Pau and did some documentaries about it. He likes to learn about how things
work, about history of European and Asian Martial Arts and Science. He is a big believer of systematization, simplicity and
functionality in the fighting Arts. Besides being a coach he as a degree in Clinical Psychology and is a trained Psychotherapist.