Where did the arnis martial art originate?

Arnis is the official national sport and the martial art of the Philippines. It is also known as "Kali" or "Eskrima". These two terms are used for the traditional martial art of the Philippines (“Filipino Martial Arts”, or “FMA”) that focuses on weapon-based fighting with knives, sticks, bladed weapons and some improvised weapons. The earliest forms of this art can be traced back 3000 years.

The word Arnis got originated from the old Spanish term, arnés, meant “armor”and Eskrima is a Filipinization of the Spanish word, esgrima for fencing. Whereas the name ‘Kali’ was derived from the pre-Hispanic Filipano term ‘Kalis’ which meant Blades and Fencing.

When the Spanish arrived in the Philippines, it was used as a tool of resistance by the invaded Filipino people. The Spaniards banned its usage, but the art was still practiced in secrecy and solitude.

When the Americans took over the Philippines, they allowed it again. This proved helpful in the WWII when its practitioners fought alongside the Allies.

One will mostly find weapons such as bastons which can be single or double. A baston is essentially a stick and Arnis uses many variations of it. Other weapons include knives, daggers, nunchakus, and poles. Fabric is also used which includes Sarongs, handkerchiefs, and bandanas.

Its basic concepts and philosophy tend to be simple, due to its original use in battle. However, the mastery of the technique and the most advanced skills require years to obtain.