Angampora: When the main weapon the human body
A central role is played by the human body. It is a way of fighting with swords and wooden weapons. Sri Lankan martial angampora dates back to antiquity.
Thus, the arms add extra strength and an aura of mysticism.Followed by the blessing of deities, and then put the branches dry in the shade and draw from them weapons.After careful observation of certain typ
es of wood cut branches of trees, and this at a specific time after the astrological calculations.Iron for the throwing warriors carefully selected, special attention is devoted to selecting the wood for weapons and sticks.
es of wood cut branches of trees, and this at a specific time after the astrological calculations.Iron for the throwing warriors carefully selected, special attention is devoted to selecting the wood for weapons and sticks.
In the skill angampora should be used in the past many as 32 different types of weapons, chiefly swords, bows and arrows, daggers, spears and sticks. A weapons are a major component of the fight. This is the human body, which weapon is used as an extension.
One of the interesting exercises angampore is as follows: student peeling coconuts with his bare hands, his comrades, who will turn to him and watching him.
A student of Sri Lanka's native martial art 'Angampora' husks a coconut with his bare hands while his compatriots watches. Normally, a full coconut is husked in the island using a short, pointed metal spear set upright on the ground. But here in this exercise, the coconut is husked with the bare hands and the faster one wins. This is not only a test of strength; it is a test of the capability of identifying the weak points of the whole nut so as to make a quick job of husking it. This form of combat teaches to identify the sensitive spots on a human body so as to direct blows or pressure on them. This may vary from a killing blow, a blow that kills a person after a specified time limit, making the opponent unconscious or paralysed and also delivering another blow to revive the disabled opponent. A notable feature of this art is its fast footwork and flowing jumps that are likened to a butterfly. A beginner is first taught basic warm-up exercises. Later, a student is taught more specialized exercises which are connected to the art. Once a student is found competent in performing these specialized exercises he or she progresses to the actual art of combat. Weapon exercises are also included in their training curriculum.
Angampora: A Fighting Art associated with Sri Lankan Kings
Angampora, a 38000 year old martial art is still being revived in many areas of the country. In those days it was the fighting technique of the noblemen. Legend has it that the army that came under the command of Sapumal Kumaraya comprised fighters skilled in this martial art. With each new king emerged new gurus and as a result the pedigree of the gurus of Angampora got diluted.
Angampora, a 38000 year old martial art is still being revived in many areas of the country. In those days it was the fighting technique of the noblemen. Legend has it that the army that came under the command of Sapumal Kumaraya comprised fighters skilled in this martial art. With each new king emerged new gurus and as a result the pedigree of the gurus of Angampora got diluted.
‘Angam Pora’, is a traditional martial art in Sri Lanka, which is known to be one of the oldest fighting disciplines in the world. It’s a deeply spiritual form of combat which has its roots in different philosophies of nature and astrology and also has a strong connection to music, employ rhythmic and flowing movements. ‘Angam Pora’ means ‘unarmed combat’. Combat techniques wherein weapons are used are called ‘Illangam’. ‘Maya Angam’ is a technique which involves the use of spells and incantations to confuse or bring an opponent down.
Angam Guru, Mahantharachchige Ajantha Perera, who is responsible for the revival of this ‘Angam Maduwa’ (A mud hut built specially for this practice), located in Korathota village, 35 kilometers (20 miles) outside the capital Colombo, in the middle of a paddy field away from the buzz of the city, explained that there is written evidence to prove the existence of this combat form that dates back over 5000 years and myths and folklore that goes as far as 38,000 years that speak of the art of fighting named ‘Angam’, making it one of the oldest known forms of martial arts in the world.
‘Angam’ was freely practiced till British Government banned and suppressed it in the 1800s. Under British rule, those practicing these games were shot below the knee, forcing people to abandon the art. But the experts in this fighting art, educated the youth and secretly protected the art and they are still continue doing it.
