HISTORY OF ARNIS,

CHARACTERISTICS
AND EQUIPMENT
 Lesson 1
• Learning Objectives:
After studying this module, you will be able to:
- Gain understanding about Arnis: legal mandates, historical
background, three forms of play, organization, values in Arnis, uniform
and equipment, and basic skills
• Demonstrate the appreciation of Arnis not only as a traditional sport
but also as part of national heritage.
• Demonstrate proper execution of skills.
 Introduction
• Arnis was declared as the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport on
December 11, 2009, through Republic Act 9850 signed by Pres. Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo. As per R.A. 9850, the official adoption of arnis as
the national martial art and sport shall be promulgated by inscribing the
symbol of arnis in the official seal of the Philippine Sports Commission
and by making it as the first competition to be played by participating
teams on the first day in the annual Palarong Pambansa. The Philippine
Sports Commission is the lead agency to implement the provisions of
this Act.
 History
Arnis is a martial art was spawned in Philippine soil. It was known in the ancient Philippines as kali, an ancient
Malayan word which implies a large bladed weapon longer than a knife. This art was practiced primarily for the
self-defense by the pre-Spanish Filipinos who were noted for their friendly nature and legendary hospitality.
Kali must have derived from tjakelele which is native fencing in Indonesia. The linguistic kinship is not without
basis considering that what is now Indonesia was once in ancient times, a part of the Sri Vishyan(Islam) and
Madjapajit(Hindu) empires whose spheres of influence reached the Philippines.
History is quite definite, however, that during the reign of the ten datus in Panay, Kali was taught to children in
school called bothoan as part of their education. The art of hand-to-hand combat has always been an integral part
of the Filipinos in his long, turbulent and bloody history. Scantly records show that it is possible that the ten
Borneandatus who landed on the island of panay in the 13th century were subject to either these two ancient
empires. By force of necessity and selfpreservation, he became expert fighting with his hands, either bare or with
the stick and a bladed weapon. Even before the introduction of bladed weapons, the early Filipinos were already
fighting people using the bow and arrow or the longbow. The primitive Negritos coming from Central Asia during
prehistoric times were experts in these weapons. The testimony of the Muslims' love for the bladed weapon is their
variety of styles and variety of knives which include the kris, bolo, kalis, laring, barong, gunong, kampilan,
gayang, pira, punal, itak, banjal, bangkcon, laholand the panabas. Even today, one can find the most artistic knives
in Mindanao and Sulu in different sizes and styles.
 The freedomloving Muslims of Mindanao and Sulu are credited with
experimentation, systematization, and martial use of the bladed weapon. Arnis is a
close-combat affair, thus skill in parrying and striking must be developed with utmost
dexterity. The expert use of the leg and hip fulcrum maneuver to outbalance and throw
an opponent must be perfected.
Arnis is a martial art was spawned in Philippine soil. It was known in the ancient
Philippines as kali, an ancient Malayan word which implies a large bladed weapon
longer than a knife.
This art was practiced primarily for the selfdefense by the pre-Spanish Filipinos
who were noted for their friendly nature and legendary hospitality. Kali must have
derived from tjakelele which is native fencing in Indonesia.
The linguistic kinship is not without basis considering that what is now Indonesia
was once in ancient times, a part of the Sri Vishyan(Islam) and Madjapajit(Hindu)
empires whose spheres of influence reached the Philippines.
 Arnis Terminologies
• Abanico Corto and Abanico Largo a strike which consists of
moving the stick in front of the body in a fanning – like
movement, hence, the term abanico which means “fan” in Spanish
• Solo Baston ( Single Stick) in which a single long wooden stick or
rattan cane is used
• Anyo or Form a combination of Pre-arranged or choreographed
striking, blocking, coordinating the arm and leg movements,
timing, and sayaw body shifting movements, which is equivalent
to the form or dance of other martial arts.
• Banda y Banda A slashing or horizontal movements or technique which consists of
pointing the stick forward, and moving it rapidly and horizontally, from left to right
in front of the body.
• Espada y Daga (sword and dagger) or the long wooden sword and short wooden
dagger.
• Rompida a striking technique that consists of circling the stick overhead prior to
each up and down striking movement in front of the body.
• Up and Down or vertical movement which is similar to the rompida except that the
stick is not encircled overhead prior to each up and down movement in front of the
body.
• Sinawali an intricate techniques of striking using two sticks wherein the movement
resembles the woven pattern of the sinawali or split-bamboo mating.
 Equipment
• The stick used in Arnis is commonly made up of rattan
or yantok but other hardwoods can be used too, like
Bahi or kamagong. It is 1 inch in diameter.
• Unlike other martial arts which make use of complex
body maneuvers, Arnis as it was then and as it is now
in its modern form, puts emphasis on the use of sticks
and hand-arm movements.
• Like in the early times, Arnis today has three traditional training
methods:
(1) Muestrasion or pandalag which teaches the artistic execution of
the swinging, elements and stroking for offense and defense in repetitive
drills.
(2) Sangga at patama or sombra tabak wherein striking, thrusting and
praying in pre-arranged manner is taught.
(3) Lagra muton or labanang totohanan in which two trainees engage
in a free practice trying to outmaneuver each other using their skills. This
is the ultimate phase of Arnis Training.
 • Standard Uniforms of Arnis
• The players should wear the following in playing the Arnis: - (Red Pants - White T-
shirt)
• Padded Sticks Ideal for arnis sparring (Duelo) training and competition. Uses high-
grade vinyl outside material for better grip and ventilation. Tough internal assembly
made of highdensity rubber foam tubing material. Designed to take a series of hard hits
(Color: Red, Blue)
• Code of Conduct Practicing martial arts with proper conduct is just as important as
achieving excellence in physical training. Correct etiquette should basically create a
positive image for oneself his training hall, and martial arts as a whole. It is all about
practicing with the right intent and fostering good relations. The most club has its own
rules and code of conduct which students should adhere to. The instructor should
regularly promote these rules as part of the discipline that comes along in learning the
martial art.
 Post - Activity Multiple Choice:
• Encircle the best and correct answer.
1. In ancient times, Arnis is known as.
a. espada b. tagak c. kali d. sinawali
2. It is known as the Philippine Martial Arts.
a. arnis b. estoque c. sinawali d. tjakelele
3. In records, which century the ten Borneamn datus landed in the panay island.
a. 10th century b. 12th century c. 13th century d. 14th century
4. In which part of the country Arnis started to influence?
a. luzon b. mindanao c. panay island d. visayas
5. During the reign of the ten datus, what is the name of kali when they taught to children in a school.
a. arnisado b. bothoan c. kalis d. kali
6. Which among of the following were used by the early filipino in fighting?
a. hand b. stick c. knifes d. bow and arrow
7. This kind of combat is an integral part of the Filipino bloody history.
a. mano y mano b. espada y daga c. arnis de mano d. sombra tabak
END OF CLASS