Angampora
Sri Lanka, a country with a rich history that goes back for over 5000 years tells us of great Martial Art that were enjoyed by the kings who ruled this wonderful land. In the past ages, where the law of "survival of the fittest" prevailed, this tiny nation had to hold its own, mostly against the mighty India (South India - Chola Kingdom). The kings of India many a time thought to have this "Pearl of the Indian Ocean" to decorate their crowns and invaded the island. But invariably, each time, they were driven back. Such was the invincible might of the fighting techniques practiced by the people of Sri Lanka and they called it the ANGAM SATAN KALAWA (fighting art named ANGAM)."Anga" in the native tongue ( Singhala is the native language of the Sinhalese who are the majority in the country ) meant parts. Unarmed combat, was called Angam as only the human body parts were used to fight. Where various types of weapons are used, such combat techniques were called "ILLANGAM". A people with a rich culture which had various types of dancing for which a variety of drums were used, they made such music too a part of their traditional martial arts.
Practice
Both men and women of Buddhist origin are eligible to learn to fight Angampora. The Angam technique is divided into three main disciplines, Gataputtu (locks and grips), Pora Haramba (strikes and blocks) and Maru Kala (nerve point attacks). Gataputtu are placed on an opponent using the fighter's hands, legs or head. Pora Haramba include apporoximately eighteen forms of offensive strikes and seven of defensive blocks. Maru Kala is the technique that incorporates nerve-point attacks capable of inflicting pain on the opponent and also of causing serious injury.[20]
Several Gataputtu techniques:[20]
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The hand fighting technique known as Amaraya belongs to the next level. A student learns to observe the weaknesses of the opponent, and to attack those weak points with experience. Weapons such as the Suruttuwaluwa/Velayudaya (an apparatus made of four long flexible pieces of metal, with sharp edges on both sides), the combat sword, Keti Kaduwa (a smaller version of the sword), and cane sticks are also used for fighting, together with the Paliha, a shield. In total, there are sixty-four types of weapon, including thirty-two different swords.
A graduation ceremony known as the Helankada Mangalya is the apex of the life of an Angampora fighter. This ceremony is held inside a Buddhist temple.Panikkirala, or fencing master, is the highest position in Angampora, which is the headmanship of a particular school. However, the tradition does not use a rank signal mechanism like belt, to denote the degree of competence of the fighter. The male-fighters usually fight barechest. Although Angampora is designed to kill, it requires the practitioner to adhere at all times to a stringent discipline.[ In extreme cases, fights are held inside deep holes. Some deadly, higher level Angam attacks involve the nervous system of human body. If executed properly, they can stop the blood circulation of vital organs, leading to paralysis or even death.Alongside such techniques students learn an Ayurvedic practice known as Beheth Pārawal, or medical shots, for reversing the effects of such strikes.
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