Sri Lankan martial arts
Encyclopedia
There are two styles of martial arts native to Sri Lanka
, these are Cheena di and Angampora.
Cheena di was taught by Chinese monks to locals when they made pilgrimages to see Buddha's footprint and tooth
, relics that are still on display in Sri Lanka. This is the more popular style of the two.
The other Style is Angampora and it is the style taught to soldiers during the pre-colonial period. However, during the European rule, this fighting style was banned.
As a result, it was taught in secrecy and is still taught only to a few.
Weapons used in this style include:
This style also employs a unique weapon consisting of a metal whip with serrations.
Due to a lack of teachers and the length of time it takes to master either style, the number of practitioners are in decline.
Karate, boxing, aikido and the more well-known martial arts have become popular in Sri Lanka supplanting the traditional styles.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, these are Cheena di and Angampora.
Cheena di was taught by Chinese monks to locals when they made pilgrimages to see Buddha's footprint and tooth
Relic of the tooth of the Buddha
The Sacred Relic of the tooth of Buddha is venerated in Sri Lanka as a relic of the founder of Buddhism.-The relic in India:...
, relics that are still on display in Sri Lanka. This is the more popular style of the two.
The other Style is Angampora and it is the style taught to soldiers during the pre-colonial period. However, during the European rule, this fighting style was banned.
As a result, it was taught in secrecy and is still taught only to a few.
Weapons used in this style include:
- Sword
- Dagger
- Staff
- Spear
- Bow and arrow
This style also employs a unique weapon consisting of a metal whip with serrations.
Due to a lack of teachers and the length of time it takes to master either style, the number of practitioners are in decline.
Karate, boxing, aikido and the more well-known martial arts have become popular in Sri Lanka supplanting the traditional styles.
External links
- http://www.angamharamba.com/
- http://angamhoru.blogspot.com/
- http://livingheritage.org/angampora.htm
- http://www.lankalibrary.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=5035
- http://www.angampora.org
- http://www.angampora.de
- http://angampora.blogspot.com