When the fighting styles of Kung-fu, Karate, Ju-jitsu, etc are mentioned the novice assume that these fighting styles originate in the Orient. However, the oldest records concerning techniques are found in the ancient Metu-Neter drawings of Egyptians. Egypt is a country located in the north east region of Africa. These combat techniques date back as far as 4000 B. C. It is believed, by many, that the combat techniques found in the ancient drawings of the Egyptian Hieroglyphics are the basic principles under which martial arts has evolved and developed. As matter of clarification the very phrase martial art merely means art of warfare. In its meaning there is no connotation of oriental culture. Its the art of tactics, strategies and there execution to defeat or defend againts an oppponent. If you study human history you will find that every civilization had martial arts. As you learn of the different cultures you learn of there particular fighting styles. For example the martial arts for Japan is Teo Kwon Do for China its Kung Fu and for Korea its Karate. As with all cultures the fighting styles are all considered "Martial Arts". As history shows the Greatest Captains (military genius') of History - Hannibal, Gangus Kan and Mongol Hord, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, General Patton all perfected there own martial arts to defeat there enemies.The Zulu and Ashanti nations were some of the most fierce fighter of there time. Women of the Dahomey civilization were also formidable fighters. One Dahomey woman, Queen Amina was such a great strategist and tactician that she was allowed to wear the golden beard of the Pharoah.
Throughout our history fighting techniques transcended many cultures were they took on different characteristics, tactics and strategies. During the Tand Dynasty circa 618-906 AD Buddist Monks spread their styles known as Shaolin Boxing. This and many other styles spread to other neighboring countries like: Okinawa, Japan and Korea. It is said that where ever thses Buddist Monks traveled that they taught their principles of martial arts such as tolerance, diet, fasting, mediation, prayer, poetry, painting and self-defense were just some of the things that are essential to one's development and progression in martial arts.
As martial arts expanded throughout Asia, other styles of martial arts were developed. Some of the more popular systems are Judo, Ju-jitsu, Tae Kwon Do. Virtually all of the ancient history of ancient Egypt have been destroyed. The destruction of these records led to a great wealth of our history being lost and in many cases stolen. Forums like "The Salute to the Black Warrior" will help to preserve our history.
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