This word is from the old Spanish arnés (meaning: “armor”).
Arnis is the national sport and martial art of the Philippines. It is often referred to as Filipino stick-fighting.
Eskrima, Kali and Arnis are three roughly interchangable umbrella terms for the traditional martial arts of the Philippines that emphasize weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives, bladed weapons and various improvised weapons.
Pananandata is the general Tagalog word meaning “use of weapons” and Sinawali is the Kapampangan term for “weave.”
The materials used in arnis are often two rattan sticks, each about one inch in diameter and between 24 and 28 inches long.
Early Filipinos fought against their enemies using bolos, spears, and hard wooden sticks. The sticks are the ones used in arnis. Rattan is considered the best material for sticks because it is made of very strong fibers that can withstand hard hitting.
Kali was the original Malay term given to this form of martial art, but many believe that arnis was derived from the Spanish word arnes.
KAHULUGAN SA TAGALOG
arnís: sining ng paglalaban sa pamamagitan ng espada o katulad
ispadahan; labanang tagaan
Pambansang Laro
