Bill M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZUIJSe7p_k

Well worth watching. Kris, Barung, Kampilan and some fascinating clever Moro attacks.

xasterix

Unfortunately, the movie isn't that accurate in depicting the Moro Fighting Arts (MFA). Here's a better watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0olNbxFUFw

The MFA are interspersed with the dances. Enjoy watching!

kai

Thanks for the pointer - please keep them coming if you get to know links/videos that exhibit traditional MFA!

BTW, I was wondering about how the kalis/kris were held: They seem to consistently grip them with the long katik side pointing "down" - is this a public performance thing?

Regards,
Kai

Battara

Xasterix, thanks for the link. I love and want that kulintang music! (though I have 2 CDs of it ).

The dancing and fingernails are similar to that found all over Indonesia (especially Bali) and even in Cambodia (all to their equivalents of kulintang/gamelan music).

I noticed that most of the sword work and spear work is done standing up. Some I have seen were influenced by penjat silat and thus low to the ground.

Again, maraming salamat!

Marbel

A bit off-topic but here’s a photo from Oct 2018. I was able to attend an event honoring former President Fidel Ramos (also attended by President Duterte). Delegates from around the country were there. The Bangsamoro group had their own table. While I’ve visited a variety of Moro areas on Mindanao, I feel much more welcome with my Tboli and Blaan friends. Nevertheless, having just arrived that morning from Mindanao myself, I felt an urge to acknowledge and provide a warm greeting to this friendly group from the south. Glad I did.

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xasterix

Walang anuman!

For good measure, here's an excellent unarmed demo of a Tausug Kuntaw / Silatan master doing a 'Langka' or series of moves which are good either for dance or for combat (and can be integrated with BangsaMoro weapons):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNm...AtuODUUHNThoA0o

And here, I saved the best for the last. While the description says 'Pencak Silat', the martial artist on stage is actually a Moro Fighting Arts (MFA) master- here in the Philippines, those who do MFA transition easily into Pencak Silat via sport competitions (I think he's one of the national coaches).

Kai, this is also for you. From what I've learned of the kris, when gripping, the long-side must be pointed towards the wielder. The weapon-work he's doing here is pure MFA:

https://youtu.be/KZXjtSfIgaQ?t=344

xasterix

Glad you connected with our BangsaMoro brothers/sisters! Once you get to know them, they're actually just like those from Visayas and Luzon- warm and accommodating!

Ian

Absolutely true. I have found the BangsaMoro peoples to be open, warm and friendly in my travels to the southern Philippines. My time in the Philippines encompassed the Twin Towers episode when U.S. feelings turned sharply against Muslims in general, including those of the southern Philippines. Travel of westerners to the ARMM and Sulu Archipelago was strongly discouraged by foreign governments and the Government of the Philippines. While kidnappings of Filipinos and foreigners did occur in the region around that time, there was actually little overt violence that could be attributed reliably to the Abu Sayyaf or other Muslim groups.

In my experience the vast majority of BangksaMoro people are not interested in violence, but they do have a strong passion for autonomy and freedom for their religion and culture. This has led over the last few centuries to conflicts with the Spanish, Americans, and the Government of the Philippines. Coming from a freedom loving country, it is hard for me not to have some sympathy for the Moro position. We can only hope that the Muslim peoples of the southern Philippines can arrive at a solution for their governance that satisfies them and the Philippines government.

Ian.