Lo siguente estuvo "posted" (?Como se dice esto en espanol?) en el "Eskrima Digest":
Lucha del Garrote - Canarian staff fighting
It is perhaps difficult to imagine the Canary Islands as something
else than hotels, restaurants and endless, at times overcrowded
beaches. If you stop to have a peak you will find that these islands
are surprisingly rich on culture, especially with regard to living
traditions. Not only do they have their very own particular styles of
sailing and mountaineering but it is difficult to find a European
country with such a variety of living martial arts. In addition to
"Lucha del Garrote", the most combat oriented system, you can find
various styles of "Juego del Palo, also a stickfighting system but
more game oriented and with a smaller stick. "Tolete", a system for
self-defense using a short heavy stick also originates from these
islands, and of course, the very popular grappling art "Lucha
Canario", which resembles a mix of Japanese Sumo and Greek-Roman
wrestling.
"Lucha del Garrote", combat with staff, was practiced by the
guanches, indigenous Canary Island population, a long time before the
arrival of the Spanish (13th-14th century). Hence, it can be
questioned whether this is a European style, or if it is perhaps has a
closer relation to the African continent - where we can still find
alive stick-fighting traditions. We know that the style is
pre-Hispanic, but exactly how old it is and from where it originates
we don't know. However, since the Canary Islands now have been part of
Spain for about 700 years, we will be referring to Garrote as a
European style.
Most of us do not associate martial art with Europe; it is more
commonly known to originate from the East, but with a little research
we soon find an early Europe with a huge variety of combat systems.
The way in which the Vikings fought with ax, sword and shield can be
seen as the foundation for what was to become very sophisticated and
structured systems of combat, more popularly referred to as European
martial art. Many of these systems are now experiencing somewhat of a
renaissance, especially is this so with regard to styles from the
medieval period which are being practiced by thousands of Europeans,
Americans and Canadians. We are talking about re-enactment, swordplay
that is reconstructed from old scripts and fencing manuals.
In the system of Fiore Dei Liberi, a well known fencing master from
the medieval period, the focus is on hand to hand combat as well as
the sword, dagger and staff. The structure of this system seems to
have much in common with many of the Southeast Asian styles that we
can see today. It is very likely that the European conquistadors in
Southeast Asia had a great impact on the local combat systems. If we
take a look at the popular Filipino style of "Espada y Daga", sword
and dagger, it is not only a Spanish name that has been adopted; the
dominating techniques are very similar to that of fencing from early
European renaissance. In much the same manner the Spanish weapons may
have influenced the way in which the Garrote has developed. The long
sword that was used in this period was not a stranger to
confrontations with the staff, a weapon that was well established in
the European weapons arsenal. It is therefore possible that special
techniques were developed by the islanders to defend themselves
against the Spanish and their weapons. A very frontal fighting
position, a sophisticated system for thrusting with the staff and a
strong focus on using the staff as a shield could witness of a
strategy well suited to confront the medieval long sword.
With exception from the chord, which pretty much dominates the arena
for modern sports fencing, most European weapon based systems have not
survived as active systems. Sword and shield was replaced by the long
sword which in turn was replaced by chord and sable only soon to be
replaced by the rifle with bayonet and other firearms, a development
driven by warfare where the ultimate goal has been to develop more
efficient weapons for the battlefield.
So, what is "Lucha del Garrote", where does it come from and how is it
that this particular style has managed to avoid the cutting edge of
time. Considering what we have learned and with reference to the
history of European martial arts, it is obvious that if a particular
weapon is to survive in a society where warfare is the main driver of
development it must serve an additional purpose to that of killing.
The knife, one of our first and perhaps the oldest surviving weapon,
is also considered to be one of our most useful tools through times.
Garrote (long staff), has also survived much because of its function
as a Shepard's tool.
Garrote, was originally used by the native Canarian shepard's as an
aid to moving around in difficult terrain, something that is not hard
to find on these Atlantic islands. With a very limited access to fresh
water conflicts to determine ownership to its source were usual.
Hence, the Garrote became useful as a mean to resolve such conflict
and soon became the Shepard's chosen weapon for self-defense and
tribal conflict.
In the 13-14th century, when the Spaniards came to colonize the Canary
Islands, the Garrote was the natives' first line of defense. But the
guanche, a native islander, did not enjoy the structure of organized
warfare as did the Spaniards, and they eventually had to give in to
the superiority of the Spanish and their vast resources with regard to
such conflict. However, the Spanish had a long and difficult fight
ahead, given the nature of the terrain it was not difficult for native
warriors to hide out in the mountains and maintain their pressure on
the Spanish. Given such circumstances the practice of Garrote as a
fighting art was soon to be prohibited by the Spanish conquerors. As a
result "Lucha del Garrote" was practiced by the Shepard's in secrecy
until it was no longer regarded as a threat.
The size of the weapon can vary from chest-height to a weapon that
reaches 10-20 cm over the head of the practitioner. The weight is
approximately 1½ kg and the Garrote is preferably made from the male
olive tree. You might think that the weapons size and weight makes it
difficult to handle in an efficient manner, but you will be surprised
by the speed by which the techniques are executed. The long reach of
the garrote makes it very efficient as a long range weapon, however
the style's repertoire of low kicks, sweeps, elbows and throws also
makes it very efficient for close range combat. It is interesting to
see how much this system resembles oriental styles of combat,
especially Southeast Asian arts.
In contrast to other styles, where the Staff mostly serves as a
complement to the core system, "Lucha del Garrote" is a complete
system with only one weapon, one focus and one philosophy. All
principals and techniques originate from the actual fight. Over the
years ineffective techniques have been removed. Even today, combat is
the most important part of the training. A beginner is thoroughly
drilled in basic technique and must demonstrate acquired skills in
combat before he is permitted to proceed to the next level. There is
no form of protective equipment, strikes that are not blocked are
marked. There are no serious injuries but a bump in the head, as a
result of marking, and sore fingers appear frequently. Pain is
something you learn to live with, it has always been an integral part
of the art. Practitioners are very specific about passing on a pure
system that is not influenced by other styles. The Garrote is regarded
as a cultural heritage which is to be passed on to future generations
in its original state.
Today "Lucha del Garrote" has lost its original purpose, the weapon is
not used to defend the right and honor of the individual but it is
practiced to keep alive a cultural heritage and to honor the
traditions of the islanders.
There are not that many practitioners left. The Shepard's era is now
nearly past and the few existing masters that have committed to
keeping the art alive are very specific as to whom they teach. It is
emphasized that it is not to be an art that builds the ego of the
practitioner, the goal is not to win over others but to master and
control the challenges of a growing ego. To feel the movement of the
body, to relax and being able to clear your mind of thought. Let the
body work without the obstacles of fear, anxiety and ambition to win.
With this focus the instinct is not blocked by the thought, this is
how the practitioner of Garrote prepares an automatic response
pattern, at pattern that is programmed through practice.
