A Machete Martial Arts Master Shares His Secrets | Short Film Showcase

In Haiti, the machete is both a weapon and a farmer’s key to survival. This dichotomy is especially true for Alfred Avril, a master machete fencer and subsistence farmer. The traditional art of machete fencing can be traced back to the Haitian Revolution. With fewer guns than the soldiers they were battling, many slaves fought with the machetes they had used to toil the sugarcane fields. In this short film from Third Horizon, Avril shares his mysterious craft as well as the practical and spiritual value of the machete throughout Haitian history.
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A Machete Martial Arts Master Shares His Secrets | Short Film Showcase
• A Machete Martial Arts...
National Geographic
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[@landresking3988]

I have a machete. I now have new respect for it. I always knew the Haitian ppl were resilient but seeing how the traditions continue makes me respect them even more than I already did. This is a piece of living history.

[@andreat.6991]

Tradicion de matar blancos?

[@mjanny6330]

You haven't seen that place, have you?

[@nikitaw1982]

not resilient enough to grow food.

[@danieloconnell3139]

You can tell he has so much control in a fight, the people he practices with move erratically, but his motions are always smooth and graceful

[@plankutonmass4684]

He has a beautiful family. I hope he's getting paid well to instruct especially the foreign students. Haitians have been treated badly and have had their government overthrown by US to install a horrendous dictator that robbed that country, France forced them to pay back the cost of their own invasion. I don't know if any country has been screwed as badly as Haiti has, but these people have strength in them. They will rise again an advanced and honorable nation. And look at that beautiful family. Bless them, and all the working classes of the world.

[@boysilpon]

Hope so

[@risej4164]

America!

[@red_dulge]

@@risej4164 What?

[@mybad.7164]

Everything America touches is corrupted, America even killed their own men women and children just for oil

[@mistermindahenziandalasnus3754]

He passed away a year after that documentary was made.

[@Bfr3shBrian]

Fencing while holding a bottle of liquor and wearing timbs lol, that's gangsta af

[@stickman33]

My teacher used to smoke cigarettes while sparring with his students.

[@billiejean1284]

@@stickman33 Is your teacher named Yami by any chance?

[@stickman33]

@@billiejean1284 Angel Cabales

[@kareemaboumughdeb966]

They the ancestors of the gangsters

[@bbp2930]

@@kareemaboumughdeb966 yea the Africans

[@Jobe-13]

This martial art must survive. Things like this shouldn’t go extinct.

[@RedRose0395]

No they should not.

[@mavvynne444]

@@RedRose0395 Yes, they are. I need to learn this deadly art

[@RedRose0395]

@@mavvynne444 Huh? What do you mean? What I meant is that I agree with what Yubio said.

[@geigercourtier]

Why? It’s a disgrace to swordsmanship across time and history.

[@ashmyrmondestin6291]

@@geigercourtier why exactly is it a disgrace? I don’t know anything about swordsmanship but please enlighten me

[@kezz-iofficial4058]

Long live HAITI 🇭🇹 love from JAMAICA 🇯🇲❤️

[@markyboy234]

Kezz-I Music big love from Haiti 🇭🇹 to Jamaica 🇯🇲 Black power ✊🏿✊🏿 one love

[@shaynewilliams4482]

Hah i'm both

[@thebridge5483]

Long live the afro world 🙌🏿🇭🇹

[@aminaidris5342]

No africn power

[@cloutedviews6897]

I'm from dominican and I love both Haiti and Jamaica

[@zshakur]

The alcohol is symbolic and ritualistic. It's clearly ceremonial when he drinks before teaching. If you notice, after he defeats the foreign student he takes a sip and hands him the bottle. The foreigner pours out a splash and then also takes a sip. Ceremonial. That's is old African spiritual practices right there. the drinking and pouring of libation is very linked to cultural and spiritual practices.

[@emanracing95]

Finally someone who gets it! Agreed, all of this is ritualistic and culturally significant, the roots of this martial art are based in Calinda or Kalenda (which itself has origins in Africa) and then reformed during the Haitian Revolution when it came in contact with European style fencing.

[@asparwhite86]

yeah right, he just likes the alcohol. I do too.

[@DeathlyDiJ]

but how did that foreigner loose? he could have easily sliced open the mans back when he was facing the wrong way. or are machetes not sharp enough that whoever strikes first loses.

[@grupies7754]

This is Hati not Africa but I understand what you mean

[@MisyeDiVre]

Grupies it's an offering to the patron lwas of soldiers, who's crest ( or vévé) are two crossed machetes

[@treeguardien]

He's a magician He can fight with a machete And knows how to use fire magic

[@skatanicovash8226]

i'm surprised not many has mentioned him just conjuring fire like that yet

[@red_dulge]

@@skatanicovash8226 It's a mystery.

[@hanifmartin7505]

@@skatanicovash8226 those who know they won't tell

[@Zuentax]

Djinn embody fire...

[@ctrey8395]

Yoga fire🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👊🏾

[@antonioguerrero8567]

This is Something we as kids our tought in Mexico, by our fathers. In el Rancho. I really enjoyed the video.Thank you, for sharing with us; the public.

[@grigoriyefimovichrasputin7897]

@Special Bronze understandable

[@sangralknight3031]

Something we all share as humans across the world is the sword. A father teaches his sons this, because wether we like it or not, the sword is human, and humanity lives and dies by the sword.

[@boosie4l133]

No hate but my brother got stabbed to death in while traveling Mexico City a month ago

[@dld6959]

@@boosie4l133 Sorry for your loss, hope you are ok.

[@boosie4l133]

@@dld6959 thanks bro this really meant a lot

[@AllAmericanGuy01]

Reading through the comments, I see a lot of references toward being a town drunk with a machete. In most cultures, consuming alcohol before, during, and after a battle was/is common practice. Unlike the western civilization who sees alcohol as a party starter, other civilizations use alcohol as a helping spirit.

[@ChiefMoteef]

FACTS👍

[@Sam-gy3ok]

AllAmericanGuy01 What other cultures? it is important be more specific to avoid the trap of lumping all other cultures together. Alcahol is used as a party starter in many places as well as war. They use it for war too in the west, from ww2 even today western militaries give a lot of alcahol rations.

[@nickm1242]

Ancient and Medieval times it was common. Especially during the "Vikings Ages", especially if they were expecting to do a shieldwall battle.

[@andymatheson82]

this old ay lord would et hacked to shit in a real machete fight

[@louismanning4974]

andymatheson82 and you know that he would lose how? Don't say dumbass shit cause you can't do what he's doing. You obviously have no honor or respect for martial arts and it's bc artist.

[@El_Courier]

With people ranting about he is exposing his back and having openings, do you guys not realize he is guiding the stance of the student? I don't know anything about this but it looks like he is trying to guide the student in stance and create muscle memory for student to always look towards the opponent no matter what (him walking around) and keeping their machete up. He then randomly does attacks from different angles so that the student is ready to react quickly to defend. He said he was a teacher, so he is teaching them. He isn't fighting them...I don't know shit about this art, but his goals are clear, even I saw that....

[@newacc6953]

Hunter Thepsimuang True fam I noticed the same thing, I really didn't know what the hell he was doing at the time but it makes sense. You could see he was steering his opponent in a way.

[@east3634]

People don't like to think.

[@diegotravieso8947]

Tubecreeper shut up JHONY!!!

[@woe794]

Tubecreeper Go back to watching anime bitch

[@JonathanXLindqviust]

He's so far ahead of them that he doesn't fear them, that's what he is showing by his lack of stance. An example: A american envoy was in Japan, a japanese archer was to shoot a target only they put the target behind a veil. The archer shot, and to the americans surprise all the japanese began to applaud, not even having seen the target. He ran behind the veil and saw that the arrow had hit perfectly, his translator explained: The other samurai and diplomats knew it had already hit perfectly from the stance of the archer-samurai. As in, he doesn't have to perform his stances because everyone learned enough about this combat-style knows he is in total control.

[@MelSpeaksMD]

This was so beautifully done. I’m so grateful that this was captured before he passed 🙏🏾 🇭🇹

[@luis-bx1me]

that is a cool person i say.. normal and old but wise. And if many people didnt noticed he was trying to make his students follow his motions . Martial art doesnt need to be chinese or japanese to be perfect

[@tangabiang5282]

Yeah, a true Master!

[@sylvamoise5788]

😁😂😁😁🤣😂😁😁🤣😁🤣😂

[@vetrosinic5677]

Chinese and Japanese martial arts are art not meant for actual combat bassically watch any Gracie fight they all get Brocken

[@teofiloljubisavljevic7943]

@@vetrosinic5677 dude we are not talking about those martial arts. We are talking kenjutsu, iaijutsu, battojutsu and all other weapon based martial arts. Hands are cool and all but if someone in front of you is holding a weapon you are dead or lucky to escape.

[@boxingbull523]

@@vetrosinic5677 Stop talking Ju Jitsu and Kung Fu are very useful and uses in mma all the time.

[@rodrigob.3590]

They should try adding 1000 degrees to their machetes

[@mit1850]

Rodrigo B. Hahahahaha

[@xedn]

Rodrigo B. Stop

[@randomuser4014]

Rodrigo B. lol yeah how that become a thing...I'll never know

[@lootfarmer]

Because it easy. You can cut something new each day and own the KZbin algorithm.

[@ryanmcdowell2326]

Rodrigo B. Will they be fighting iPhones as well?

[@outofhisdammind]

I’ve got some mad respect for Hatians.

[@doug70101]

Haitians are from Congo and Benin expecially fierce warriors

[@adrean3693]

@@doug70101 Haitians are mixed. Yes they do have a huge concentration of Congolese and Benin descendants like many others in the Caribbean and South America who got the most slaves from the slave trade. Haitians also have polish descendants as well. You’ve got dark skins and light skins

[@kerkounosil115]

@@adrean3693 wait polish descent?

[@justinaturnbough2465]

I am part haitian I love it

[@kerkounosil115]

@@justinaturnbough2465 same and dominican

[@elijahvictor4077]

When you begin a video by describing a machete as "a gift", then you know he has learned an art form.

[@carnal61]

The art of grass cutting 😂

[@rotorairgroup8409]

They cut way more than grass ​@@carnal61

[@will4evermoore]

Drunk machete master

[@futbolita89742]

Need this guy in mortal kombat

[@thatsnotpudding]

He needs an anime.

[@tonyweaver2353]

He could kick your ass

[@Aleph-Noll]

troy baker, not really..

[@chickenstrangler3826]

Da Truth f you change you profile pic I won't have to strangle you.

[@BCS01]

A beautiful piece/tribute to Professor Alfred Avril, "I love it!" He was a master of machete and principles of manhood. May the Haitian ancestors who triumphed over Napoleon's army welcome you dear brother in the after life. Osu!

[@reddtactics7847]

This video was very interesting I never knew about this martial art that destroyed nepoleons army. Big respect coming from Trinidad 🇹🇹

[@leob.venzen1153]

Not only did the enslaved Afrikans defeat the french, they also defeated the british and the spanish armies to gain their freedom and end slavery!! napoleon was the last european country those Afrikans defeated!!

[@timetobecreative7343]

@@leob.venzen1153 where did you get that? Thats not what happend, the countey that the french invaded where getting, already not payed attention to the europeans, thier where only a small devition keeping guard, and then enabled them to take over, because of the lack soldiers,

[@joshuaaaron617]

The martial art was develop after, not before the defeat of Napoleon's army.

[@Ric9hardify]

@@leob.venzen1153 It is quite possible that they were not Africans, but indigenous. They new the land too well and used it as part of their battle.

[@way2hezy869]

Yah but most of the history the teach u is fake, black people always win the battles no racial

[@mattnobrega6621]

The machete is a great tool from spain. Very versatile and devastating. I own my dad's machete from when he was in Vietnam. It's one of my favorite outdoor tools along side the hatchet.

[@pri1648]

no one cares

[@inameit4149]

“How can i make this about myself”

[@2025-e4n]

The Machete was a tool that the Spanish & French forced Afrikan people to use on plantations to generate wealth for the Whites......that Black Revolutionaries and Freedom fighters converted into an Instrument of Liberation. This video is not about Spain.....this video is about the Afrikans who Defeated the people from Spain.

[@MrThistleMilk]

​@@pri1648 you cared enough to comment

[@ZACHANDJACKSZACHSMAFIA]

I also have a hatchet and machete from my dad. I practice with them too. I for one am happy to not be alone in doing this kind of stuff. I practice in my backyard, and I also make sticks from any wood that I can get, including an apple tree I have which I climb to cut the branches down with the hatchet. I hope you luck in your training. I am lucky that I used the sheathe as not to accidentally cut myself while practicing Kali and Haitian fencing with the machete. -Zach

[@random_guy_277]

Machete The weapon that broke Napoleon's army

[@cultofmalgus1310]

but not really though. That's the funny part.

[@hengest7760]

@@cultofmalgus1310 You're an idiot

[@grigoriyefimovichrasputin7897]

I dont see any historical evidence to that what do you mean?

[@hengest7760]

@@grigoriyefimovichrasputin7897 as in the Haitian revolutionaries, used machetes, and broke Napoleon's army when they tried to stop the revolution.

[@grigoriyefimovichrasputin7897]

@@hengest7760 Cool ill do more research

[@kcfamilam5109]

So the town drunk decided he knew how to sword fight, and nobody called him on it.

[@sylvanbowyer6845]

KC Drummer Nailed it!

[@Greenhelix5]

KC Drummer exactly haha

[@zshakur]

You should have more respect than that. It was a cute joke that got u some likes, but it's not funny. This elders life and toil isn't something to joke about so flippantly. If u were a martial artist you'd know what he's doing. I play with the blade. I can see what he's doing and he's doing some deep shit! If u are a martial artist...shame on you. Find something else to throw jokes at. This man's skills aren't for joking. He raised 11 children and put them all through school in Haiti and you have the nerve to call him the town drunk? You've never worked a hard day in your life if you can fix your mouth to call a farmer lazy.

[@lynchinjesus]

Zayd Shakur calm down loser

[@kcfamilam5109]

Thanks bruh, I put myself through college via scholarships and became the 1st black kid to graduate with a degree in CS from my university... then I started my own business and can afford to work from home... I know I'm not lazy. who the fuck are you again?

[@Rvzhxd]

am i high or that intro music song was beautiful with the humming 😂🤦🏾‍♂️?

[@gaminghunt5837]

You probably were high?

[@Rvzhxd]

@@gaminghunt5837 not probably, more like definitely

[@gaminghunt5837]

@@Rvzhxd send me links.

[@romeogalaviz7224]

It sounds so relaxing for me

[@robertlacey6386]

what's it called

[@monalisa3549]

Is no one gonna talk about how he light up the candle? I totally lost it.

[@evansojuka1399]

The exact thing I noticed

[@BittyCryp]

Exactly!!

[@executioner8320]

Bro goated🇭🇹🇭🇹🔥

[@Livingstone8519]

This is something small here in Ghana people can walk through fire 🔥🔥🔥

[@hanifmartin7505]

@@Livingstone8519 whe dou the same here 🇭🇹 y'all family ayibobo

[@iwirelessjimmy]

could you imagine living in a place where you have to learn to machete fight?

[@Roadtosubsnovids-pu5mf]

The Universe Your being dramatic. Just think, these people have what they need, and maybe even not that. We get what we want. Plus they were even slaves. Next time just think about what they have, not what you have.

[@cultured123]

+The Universe You're on every Nat geo writing negative comments, not just racist but negative.

[@cultured123]

+The Universe Seek help brother, I'm worried for you.

[@MrLoobu]

t.puffs In America you just need to learn to pull a trigger.

[@iwirelessjimmy]

MrLoobu not even sort of. America is a remarkably safe place to live. there's really only a couple of places with high gun violence rates

[@eriklane78]

I train in and have taught filipino martial arts and I admit this is impressive. Machete fencing and FMA are derived from the Spanish or French invasion and controlled over the territories. much respect to this guy

[@jamiirali1]

eriklane78 what fma system do you teach?

[@splobeo4422]

Pete Zauw And what martial arts are you learning? Unless you're just trolling, I seriously want to know.

[@petezauw1921]

Escrima, kali, pantantukan, JKD, knife fighting, and other things. How about you?????????

[@splobeo4422]

Pete Zauw I have only a little experience with karate and kung fu. I only got to purple belt then had to stop. But what I want to know is how exactly is what this guy is doing wrong when you just said you haven't trained in this. I'm not trying to be be disrespectful, I'm just genuinely curious.

[@splobeo4422]

Pete Zauw And yes I know that I don't have much of a right to speak about it since I haven't learned it, but I'm just saying, how exactly do you know it's wrong?

[@davidsandlin9686]

What sorcery did he use to light that candle at 2:12 it looks like he just waves him thumb over it and it lights.

[@Raigens]

Probably the same "spirit" he talked about lit the candle. I'm guessing that the tree near him is a Ficus religiosa, wich is (was?) famous in India for being home for elementals. He probably makes offerings by that tree, like when he spills some booze on the ground. Either that or his thumb is really hot.

[@davidsandlin9686]

Raigens it's probably a magic trick or slight of hand. If it is he is really good a it because the motion seemed very natural.

[@Raigens]

Yes, it might be trickery. The movements he makes with the bottle are rather suspicious. But even so, it sure makes me wonder how a lifelong farmer in Haiti, with most certainly little to no education and knowledge of chemistry would do that. Also, why would he do that? Money? The whole story of the spirit teaching him the art would surely attract students but we dont know if he is paid for teaching the machete way and there are a thousand better ways to make money. Anyway, i dont want to overthink it.

[@valfardskrigare9407]

It might be? Of course it is. There is no such thing as magic.

[@davidsandlin9686]

Opus Dei lol it's called suspension of disbelief. It's what makes movies so powerful.

[@ConnorJaneu]

Looks his style is based mostly on binding and winding, controlling your opponent's blade. Very reminiscent of Roland Warcheza's teachings on Sword and Buckler.

[@denisemilfort4581]

He got it from our ancestors who came from Africa

[@adisakorij4528]

@@denisemilfort4581 mostly yes, but there is a few influences, example the off hand on lower back, not unique to but most likely euro fencing influence.

[@trevor75203]

A lot of martial arts have similar things

[@irfannurhadisatria2540]

@@trevor75203 all humans have similar biomechanics after all

[@jwgoon]

Japanese kenjutsu techniques have similar movements as well.

[@bienvenus.n4072]

A martial art that has kept all the techniques and that has been tested in real situations

[@dontsubscribetome3262]

you are aware easter martial arts and HEMA are based on historical accounts

[@seppukusushi2848]

Machetes are the best weapon in the tool shed, and the *WORST* weapon in an arsenal. lol!

[@mannenibla204]

@@seppukusushi2848 It's better then knives. So no not worst weapon in an arsenal, defeats most melee weapons people carry in modern times.

[@seppukusushi2848]

@@mannenibla204 No, it isn't.

[@mannenibla204]

@@seppukusushi2848 You couldn't bring 1 example of a better melee weapon people TEND to use on the streets in modern times, So yes it is.

[@dantejohnston369]

Rest in piece. This is one of the coolest things I have seen in a long while!

[@whattheydontwantustoknowth3840]

HE LEFT A LEGACY,HIS SPIRIT LIVES WITHIN ALL HIS OFFSPRING ✊🏿REST IN PEACE KING AVRIL🤴🏿

[@lootfarmer]

Machete master opens his back at 3:43 and 3:55.

[@j.fragoso7451]

Michael Hes a dead man walking

[@MrStretch03]

Richard Skully even boxing wouldn't work in mma fight

[@al-td5sf]

dose a 3ft wall, beat a 2ft wall?

[@blackbuddah8543]

Richard Skully. says who?

[@interested.4185]

Michael look at all of these experts

[@syahmiahlami2501]

suddenly.... everyone is a martial arts masters in comments

[@Jacktibby2011]

haven't you ever heard of arm chair masters ? XD

[@robertw1800]

He was projecting all of this attacks, he left his back open and no one took advantage (IE they were just dancing). In the last bit of the video the "Master" struck his student in the face while "Sparring", that's a big no no. You don't have to be a master in Martial arts to know this "Master" is just some drunk dude with too much time on his hands.

[@mikesoliz7097]

youre a sword master from watching bleach eh? /s

[@dogestranding5047]

robert williams Neckbeard weeaboo

[@robertw1800]

***** I've taken martial art classes. But still Leave Bleach out of this, it was such a good anime. Thing is I've never seen my master make a mistake while doing actual sparring (Not what was in this video). Sorry, just from any perspective, that old dude made too many mistakes in just that one video for me to consider him an elite of anything.

[@RecountDaFox1]

Old Head: Tsk.. Nothing personal Kid.. *Teleports Behind you*

[@joystickjunkie5113]

🤣🤣

[@fierypickles4450]

Lmaoo

[@KILLAKREED3MIL]

NANI!?

[@michaelsebastian914]

@Magellan Tuitu'u Arrghhhhh *starts exploding

[@vnusfmtv]

While watching this video I felt the spirit of my homeland HAITIAN BLOOD SEEPS DEEP 🇭🇹🩸

[@sophrosyne2671]

I'm by no means an expert but is it true that his skill comes from the timberlands?

[@Psycorde]

Maybe it comes from Timberlake

[@oc6617]

+White Void ...................L

[@xandocommando]

the timbs offer the wearer a holy power

[@begolejohnson6707]

Sophrosyne the nigga with the timbs is always good at fighting

[@shaunszalai3823]

Sophrosyne LMFAO 😂😂😂

[@ShammuaMekonnen]

Well, the young have a fond and tangible memory of the Professor, the 'mark' on his cheek, a 'mark' not out of malice, but from sparring with the GREAT Professor Avril, the protector of the Revolutionary art of Machete Combat, that which freed a People. I totally full joyed this, much thanks.

[@thesiphon5003]

Thank you I’m glad somebody said it 💯

[@jameselysee7383]

Big respect for haitian my country

[@johnbarron4843]

No

[@shedparker]

Best women are 🇭🇹 women. Treat men like kings.

[@kuntakinteakatzoe9562]

Yea lord

[@jojostoenail2162]

@@shedparker 🤔

[@shedparker]

@@jojostoenail2162 Bro date a Haitian 👩🏽 that came to🇺🇸as a teen. The level of respect, honor and humility is like no other.

[@h0rn3d_h1st0r1an]

Why is no one talking about him just casually summoning fire?! This guy was a legend!

[@khaldundorlus]

The Rhum he's drinking is called Rhum barbancourt, it's the most reputable Rhum in Haiti. It's exported throughout the Caribbean and also the states. It's often used to celebrate and also ceremonial purposes, a lot of people who practice voodoo use it to invoke lwa (spirits). When papa machete pour before drinking and passing it to his guests it's a sign of respect and fraternity. Great video Btw

[@Nickster316]

"I do it without fear" *swigs bottle*

[@d3migod117]

RIP Prof. May your legacy live on

[@jaywulf0146]

D3MIGOD

[@Nutt_lemmings]

Yes brudder he was a true Ugandan warrior

[@wilsonpie9469]

D3MIGOD sgjfjdkf

[@LuisJose-zm3ve]

D3MIGOD rui

[@kevoa4941]

The machete the symbol of ogun

[@hraesvelgr8407]

I think the missing link to this story that everyone is looking for is where the techniques might have come from. A really good explanation for that would be Adbaraya Toya, the woman who trained Dessalines and many others for the revolution. She was a Mino warrior from Dahomey, a group of women who acted as a sort of special guard to the kind and country.

[@bbp2930]

Wow

[@danielleehim3077]

Hi. Just wondered if there is any more information on the women who fought in the haitian revolution? I have some books on the revolution - CLR James black jacobins has no mention of this woman LOL.

[@andreartigas8308]

Learn something new. Thnaks!!

[@mjanny6330]

And fought to keep their slaves. Strange how everyone forgets that part.

[@silverking2181]

@@mjanny6330 No one forgets it. But why would we always talk about that ? Napoleon brought slavery back, but do you always mention slavery in the comment sections of videos talking about Napoleon ? I don't think so.

[@sforde4658]

The dirtier his timberlands get the more power he gets

[@true2life88]

Believe It Lmfao hahahaha

[@SandyTheTryhard]

Believe It lmao Dirty Boots

[@GullahGeecheeFarmer]

Believe It 😂

[@samuraikoji4015]

Believe It sons of battle cry

[@xcaluhbration]

Blood on the Timbs +7 Dex

[@DONTHATETHEPLAYA321]

He teaches them, to crawl before you walk, walk before you run, run before you sprint,sprint before you fly......cultivate techniques before you are attacked.....he's a master of his soul......a master of his game, and if you think you can kill him......how can judge a book by its cover......fear the man that practices one technique 10,000 times.....you'll learn

[@atomictraveller]

whatever you learn to do, learn to not do

[@antagonizerr]

Unlike sword fighting that has hilts and guards, you can't just block with a machete. You have to let it flow and 'guide' it, moving your body instead. It's a really elegant form of fighting once you understand it.

[@johntrust6217]

Many criticisms from “internet experts” on here. Yet some of these techniques were passed down to these people from ancestors that took on 3 great European powers of their time: France, Britain and Spain freeing their people from oppression and slavery.

[@razishah9379]

Yes but there are always better techniques some criticism is good especially in martial arts as it can literally save your life.

[@antonioflores425]

I Feel much respect for the way you write trying to defend these people AND their style, but yet they didn't acpmplish to takedown or defeat Europeans, It was their ancesters, so where or why have they prooved to be good fencers? They probably learned good stuff from ancesters but they Also probably watered It down removing sparring over the years passed, I am a recreational boxer AND fencer, do a lot of sparring AND real contact practice, AND I see their tecnique very very poor AND impractical.

[@thatringinginyourears3955]

@@antonioflores425 you gotta remember, a machete and a foil are two different weapons, a machete is much heavier, so while one good chop almost anywhere is liable to do some damage, it is not fast enough to be comparable to boxing or fencing. the techniques presented here are also watered down for sparring, as he is using the flat of the blade, in which case, the movements are slowed down even more by wind resistance.

[@Meluvya17]

Dude is teaching in Tims 😂😂

[@EscoSar]

If all else fails, you can always rely on some good 'ol Tims and Machete. Lol

[@luisgaray1521]

yeah he reminded me of the wutang machetes and timbs lol

[@keeshabaril6173]

Mia they honestly don't know the value of what they wear .... therefore he doesn't even know what he is wearing .... I'm Haitian and I'm betting my ass off that other people make fun of that poor man

[@candyqueenify]

Mia because they protect your feet .... duh

[@zebanijah]

PTBM the camera crew mightve gifted some clothing for them. thats what came in to my mind when i saw it. im not saying he cant buy those shoes by himself, it only came into my mind. btw are you happy being an haitian? hows the wheater like there?

[@BigMason]

To pose a simple question; If he didn't know what he was doing, had no stance, no structure, and was just a bumpkin with a machete. Who the hell taught his students to move, parry, and strike in the ways shown.

[@j-xl6258]

That my friend is a secret he personally would have to teach you. Im Haitian and our elders who have knowledge about certain things don't give out secrets to just anyone

[@thebridge5483]

J- XL it’s so bad it’s an african thing yo

[@1337penguinman]

I imagine machete fighting is very similar to the cutlass. Just with much less focus on the thrust.

[@Thulthu]

You seem to have a problem understanding. He clearly explained that the knowledge was given to him by a spirit that descended from a tree (similar experiences have been described by Chamans and Black Magic practitioners in Africa).

[@7jesterfaces]

Ryan Mason if you get slapped in the face all the time, eventually you’re gonna learn how to dodge

[@i_love_crpg]

It takes balls of steel to actually be able to wield machetes at each other and some of ya’ll acting like experts

[@nyhyl]

Having balls and being dumb are closely related to each other.

[@TalesOfGod]

nyhyl They have always been closely related together so what's your point?

[@JayzsMr]

Balls of steel to do choreography? I don't think so

[@MMA_Ruskie]

이치고 I mean it’s not a wrong observation to note that a machete is a hacking weapon not a slicing weapon like this guy is doing.

[@joeshmo240]

I reside in the Caribbean. I witnessed one machete fight. It was gruesome. Hopefully it's the last one I see

[@jj987987987]

Rhum barbancourt. He use that for everything. Drinking, praying, ceremonial stuff, holding it while practicing, cleaning wounds, etc...he must love this brand a lot.

[@DonutOperator]

You'd think they'd add hand guards to them.Also, that guys is swinging machetes at people while hammered ass drunk.

[@oso9388]

im from haiti and this is super true we are born warriors

[@derpderp4603]

Did he just light a candle from thin AIR!?!??!

[@gochira23]

I think he scratched it with his hand/fingernail or something like that and he may have been using the rum as some sort of accelerant? idk

[@keyoba8158]

Lit it with his thumb. Seen a crackhead do it.

[@stevenmendezstevenmendez1258]

no with vodoo

[@kalikaputra]

hahahahah saw that too

[@pinktaco646]

lmao

[@KaceyRightman2023]

This is awesome! I hope many Haitians learn this traditional philosophy and the sword techniques.

[@kobejanssen5844]

Everyone is suddenly a fucking expert in the comments 😂

[@seth9671]

Blake Hunt I look for a weak point then find a strong point to defend against.

[@MRTN13]

Wise men say that a comment is mightier then a machete

[@SiliconBong]

Krysztof disagree

[@hautakleightontam771]

No matter what you think of his 'art', he deserves respect for carrying a household of 11 kids on his back.

[@Jmaniscool1]

The best dad

[@Jmaniscool1]

My dad gave me no father figure so i gave one my self

[@hexrtlesstrxps6399]

I’m Haitian🇭🇹.... AND IM FREAKING PROUD

[@TerraBoy.]

This man is powerful

[@LuhPlu2o]

Torterra Boy he needs to be a character on smash bros

[@robertw1800]

You're joking right? Because I didn't see any real sparring taking place throughout the entire video. They were doing 2 things, dancing, and projecting their attacks. Also in the last bit of the video the "Master" screwed up and struck his student in the face, which was his fault. Again just to be clear, I didn't see anything in this video that would lead me to think this guy is a master fencer of any kind.

[@alexanderduncan-frost7495]

I bet that's the exact same thing Napoleons' pomp ass army said in 1802 when they where sent to combat the Haitian Revolution: "I don't see any real sparring taking place...." What you call "dancing and projecting" in this video is what defeated Napoleons Grand Armée, probably the greatest combat force ever assembled.

[@alexrivera3744]

Actually Yellow Fever is what defeated Napoleons' army. This man has never been in an actual machete fight.

[@alexrivera3744]

Thousands of Napoleons troops were definitely killed by yellow fever, including his brother in law who was in charge. The French were still on the island until 1808, and returned 20 years later with gun ships and forced Haiti to pay for their independence. Read a book.

[@HippoBeats]

One of the deepest fighting styles ever

[@k9gsd117]

4:17 "Shall I cut your head off?" BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA! That killed me

[@Wastelandman7000]

It usually does.

[@andelsonjean2009]

He didn’t say that I speak the language

[@biglitto9683]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

@@andelsonjean2009 pls give us a proper translation

[@dereksprings685]

THIS IS SO PURE!!!! PRAISE HAITI FOR ALL TIME. MY DEEPEST AND HUMBLED RESPECTS TO PAPA MACHETE!!!!!!!!!!! MY GOODNESS. GUESS IM VISITING HAITI FOR THE FIRST TIME. I MUST LEARN THIS ART I MUST!!!

[@Duracell2]

Reading the comments and it seems like people don't believe this is a skill. Most of the same people believe that in this 11 min video, he was supposed to show ALL of his secrets and sparring techniques with HIS OWN KIDS/FOREIGNERS with SHARP-ASS BLADES to legitimize his craft to a group of people that have never had a paper cut before... Seems Legit Oh and it seems like everyone forgot THAT HE LIT A FUCKING CANDLE USING NOTHING BUT HIS HAND AND A BOTTLE LITERALLY 2:10 INTO THE VIDEO! All I'm saying is this: Even if he was "The Town Drunk" or "Sluggish and Exposed his back too much" Give respect where it's do. A sluggish drunk put 22 people through school and could never ask google how to do it, give the man some props ffs...

[@Chronicdreamz]

Duracell2 my sentiments exactly! I'm seeing a lot of entitled people on here claiming to be experts, they probably can't even fold their damn clothes lmao. This old man is(was) r.i.p a living Jedi.

[@vicentiuXeduard]

thx for the 2:!0 for some reason the idiot me skipped the most important part in this video. Good luck explaining others greatness, hopefully some will understand.

[@johncreator346]

Duracell2 Dominicans fucked them up with machetes Dominicans fight way better, brutal, ruthless, tough and smarter

[@essenciaable]

THEY ARE EQUALLY GOOD BELIEVE ME. NOT ALL HAITIANS ARE TRAINED. IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC EVEN THE WOMEN ARE TRAINED.

[@juniorguzman689]

Duracell2 ff

[@letsgetlyricalpijuhande4769]

True Warriors since motherland África..

[@j-xl6258]

You mean since 1492.

[@copperdee3073]

These people are Haitian not African. Everyone with brown skin does not come from Africa.

[@ribah8190]

@@copperdee3073 Uhm.. African slaves were brought to Haiti what are you talking about? They are of African descent lol

[@ribah8190]

@Jermaine Savory Don't be weird, they are African, they were shipped to country and later Haitian be their ethnicity. Just like in Jamaica there are Chinese Jamaicans, you think people are going to say "they're not Asian because their family has been there for 20 years." Nope.

[@jameslauren3100]

@@ribah8190 can you compare 20 years to generations? Cause despite being Haitian I am African too but the Haitian rings first

[@BaHaEzZz]

9:01 damn that was close

[@treeguardien]

That was not close, That WAS close.....

[@ameliabones4093]

It literally hit him.

[@totallysxmmyyt6787]

So pure, I teach filipino martial arts (kali) to my daughter and there is nothing like the bond that comes from intimate one-on-one training. I was humbled watching the other brother watch his father doctor up his wounded brother. But what was even more impressive, is the expression on the fathers face, son pay attention or you could loose your head no do overs. Live training, wow! No wonder he will not teach his art to many, it is for the village and family.

[@mambodyella]

big respect to this country and ancient slave soldiers who fought French army with machetes and intelligence.

[@Addi_Teacha509]

Nah, it was a a full army with cavalary, infantry, canons, and european wars veterans as officers. It's a by design they call it slave revolt as if a bunch off slaves running aroung could defeat the most powerful army on earth, Napoleon army

[@angelsc7588]

@@Addi_Teacha509 Do some research before you speak. Your words will disgrace you otherwise.

[@Addi_Teacha509]

@@angelsc7588 the day I want to be an idiot I'll come and look for you.. it doesn't matter if you like your tales rather than facts.

[@angelsc7588]

@@Addi_Teacha509 yet neither you nor I have presented any type of information :) you mention I believe in tales and that you run by facts but I see neither here. But truth and fact is found in that the Count of Rochembau left the island and would never return again.

[@Addi_Teacha509]

@@angelsc7588 if you wanted to learn you could listen to Haitian historian..do you know about the Haitian volunteers that fought in the US revolution against the brits.. you know about the military career of Toussaint L'ouverture beating the British and Spanish for the French, so many Haitian natives, many mixte ones that were officers.. you know about Dessalines beating the strongest nation in Europe.. you know about the battle were the French army asked for a truce to applaud the bravery of Capois La Mort? You come loaded with your ignorance with such arrogance that don't warrant any exercise of learning.. so if you want to learn you can, or can continue with whatever you want to believe.

[@hammertoe00]

I like how everybody is hating and saying, "thats not right, this guy sucks", even though none have ever been in a machete fight for their life.

[@ImTheBlackJesus]

You don't need to be in a machete fight to see all of the gaping opportunities his left open for any mildly aggressive person to take advantage of. Just like you don't need to be a doctor to know not to tell someone to take a bottle of painkillers every night.

[@ImTheBlackJesus]

Justin Smith I'm gonna be straight up with you, when Napoleon was fighting slaves holding machetes, they were not doing this bullshit dancing fuckery while they were half drunk off their asses. They were coming for people's lives, aggressively, because that's how actual combat works. Napoleon may have fought slaves with machetes but it was not this bastardized dance routine he's selling.

[@samwitmeyer3006]

That has to be one of the most beautiful forms I've ever seen.

[@elgavilan7731]

The machete: symbol of anti-imperialism

[@thebasedspectre3048]

Used by imperialists as a tool as well

[@raindoset5408]

@@thebasedspectre3048 lol

[@DOPEdwarf]

And genocide

[@Acokeek]

@@thebasedspectre3048 *The imperialist was defeated terribly! Ask nepolian.

[@raskolnikov7049]

@@Acokeek For your information, Napoleon was defeated by other imperialists, such as Russia, Prussia and Britain.

[@JasonSpitzMI50]

These guys is teaching the art of being real warriors.

[@ShaddySoldier]

These idiots dont knoe hoe to fight

[@crystalsplace7163]

ShaddyCrunchum And you do?

[@supahcomix]

ShaddyCrunchum idiots and yet you managed to misspell two of the most basic english words

[@spazysmalls]

I'm haitian and fluent in creole. The video started and i was reading the subtitles as if it were in spanish or something lol

[@christopherandrada4542]

Dam my man's gettin litt with the henny and fighting at the same time

[@beefitnbeethouvens2997]

Christopher Andrada this ain’t no any 😂 this is Barbancour 🍺 Google it

[@aeneas116116]

Respect to alfred

[@cyanheskett9513]

This is Ogun. That's the "spirit" who he says came to him. Ogun is the spirit of metal and wilderness. He lived in exile and carved out the jungle. My family maintained secret shrines to him for generations. My own life mirrored Ogun's story, and it served as my initiation. I now teach skills like this, and more, the skills I learned in my own "exile." I wrote a book "Backwoods Shamanism" talking about some of the spiritual practices of my family. Under another pen name, due to different subject matter, I wrote "Hatchie-Ryu Ninpo, an overview" telling my story and giving an outline of the things I teach.

[@biggusdickus6738]

Ray Hess does the magical shrines make you young again?

[@ajunteburns6894]

Cyan Heskett. I thought Ogun was the African God of war?

[@VAC2]

He is, this dude is either trolling or is one of them "lost in a world of their own" people.

[@MrCrazyass91]

Go watch this dudes videos lol

[@o.g.3565]

Ogun is the African God of War, don't know what that dude is talking about.

[@LiikeAralleyrace]

I'm a Haitian girl and my dad taught me how to use a machete so I can defend myself

[@Wastelandman7000]

Good. Everyone should be able to defend themselves.

[@Keoma.1]

@@Wastelandman7000 my father is half Cherokee (the part that stayed in SC, we have a story about that) and he taught me a little about fighting with a tomahawk. Its a important skill that is not taught to modern children

[@anon877]

You're so lucky

[@luigi999ish]

no disrespect,but my Grandfather worked in sugar cane fields his whole life. he supported 14 children and almost went blind. all this without getting drunk every afternoon and having drunken duels with machetes. I've seen REAL machete dueling and this is a joke. my condolences to his family,but Caribbean island culture is beyond miss represented in this short doc. find some real practitioners of tira machete or macheteria. not only will they not be drinking the whole time you're there,but they'll also show you some real sparring which looks a lot more violent and quick than this. at the very best,this all looks like ceremonial dancing.

[@DeadChocobo]

perhaps he was drinking because he was dying and saw no reason to limit his indulgence...he may have had a painful disease seeing as how he passed before the movie came out. Besides, fighting drunk with a blade and not seriously injuring oneself instead perhaps causing a few cuts on your students...id say he's pretty good.

[@httohot]

way to jump to conclusions You realize in african culture drinking is ritualistic. Specifically pouring alcohol on the floor, you know like pouring one out for your dead homies, is a direct part of African tradition and was taken from there. Haiti being partly an African derivative nation takes that part of the culture to heart. If you notice at one point after a session with the foreinger he pours some one his right and left then takes a sip, the foreigner then repeats the process. The drinking is done in small portions and is very much a part of the tradition. It makes sense when the pouring of alcohol on the floor is done for the dead and here they are learning to fight with blades. It could easily be done as respect to all those who died learning or died using the art. Again dont jump to conclusions.

[@proudseeker4814]

Find a more well-rounded group of blk folks then. That sounds like those that brag about freedom from an oppressor but can't feed themselves but hold on to the glory of a war hundreds of years ago. These internet people don't rep the most of us like I'm sure the Haitian people are NOT like their lame ass greedy leaders.

[@ShaddySoldier]

Proud Seeker isn't that just what he said? his comment was basically. "the idiots in this video are nothing like actually Hatians, these are just drunken fools playing with knives"

[@proudseeker4814]

ShaddySoldier He who? I was responding to the generalization of "most African Americans" statement. I'm in my 40's and have yet to meet all my family members, yet people say "most" AA you haven't meet most AA or heard our opinions it's as if diversity doesn't exist. Folks come online and not listening to real professors hear street or unqualified bias info and that's most. smh Do you know how many AA that don't identify with Africa at all? How many change their names to African names? Those who study W. African history and convert to African indigenous beliefs? How about over 10 thousand moving to Ghana? How many are afraid of Africa, claim to be native American? And the list keeps going but even in the questions it's diverse. That most shit is a foul.

[@leesenger3094]

The fact is, this is a holdover Art, directly descended from one of two cultures to beat Napoleon's Army in combat causing retreat. Who can judge how any master of any art teaches their students at a glance?

[@trendgil]

GREETINGS FROM MEXICO! THATS RIGHT MY HAITIAN BROTHERS✊ we live by the Machete.

[@slyonme]

latin america are the masters of machetes this guy was so good he cut his student faces//

[@slyonme]

brasil is latinamerican,yet they speak portuguese ! your point is!

[@ensotao1]

sh!t happens

[@robertw1800]

While I was learning TaiKowndo (I know I spelt it wrong, I don't care). One of the first things taught was not to strike someone in the head while sparring. I became quite good at NOT doing this while just two years of training. This guy is a fucking "Master", and he struck his student while they were projecting each other's attacks. That's a Major fail.

[@httohot]

If you train not to strike the head in a real scenario you wont attack the head, you will stick to what you practiced in the heat of the moment. Training without striking the head is not good for real life scenarios, instead head strikes should be done sparingly with lower power instead of avoided all together. It is very likely your teacher was worrying more about people getting hurt over being in an actual combat scenario where head strikes are necessary. Not a bad thing but its a tradeoff. I think a big reason that martial arts dont do well in mma is because everyone trains like this. Boxers, muai thai, bbj, etc all spar with gloves alone so they are used to being hit and hitting others at the right time conversely other traditional martial arts tend to spar less and take sparing less seriously since the chance of injury is higher in the other martial arts. This leads to a disconnect when fighting seriously as a traditional martial artist is not used to going at 100%, well that and they only spar with people from the same art/style as opposed to boxing etc. where the variety of strikes prepares one for a larger variety of opponents and fighting styles. TLDR; Train like its a real situation otherwise you wont be as prepared

[@robertw1800]

reasly dutchmans Well that's a reasonable point to be made, something I didn't think about. Yet do you consider it a fail on the Master's fault to actually strike his student's face, when the sparring was obviously no contact, and they were projecting their attacks.

[@coffeemania4990]

2:06 how to light candles like a pro

[@treeguardien]

FLAMING THUMB

[@rafitohornero3850]

Jinn posses his body. I do that too when my uncle let the jinn get inside my body. Its complicated its like making pact with jinn and they let you use some of their power.

[@red_dulge]

@@rafitohornero3850 A spirit?

[@j_respect5948]

How did it happened

[@j_respect5948]

2:12

[@IndigoXYZ18]

They spar with live steel? Daymn...

[@ralph86288]

IndigoXYZ18 il efudududufu7

[@kkpappas]

They just touched swords, they did not try for a body shot a single time and they moved their swords slowly.

[@IndigoXYZ18]

kkpappas One of them got knicked tho.

[@BuntFencer]

They were slow dancing with live steel. I didn't see a single attack. You can't spar with live steel without a shield of some kind, or armour.

[@oc6617]

+indigoxyz18 You can't get knicked with a blunt blade. Only bruised. He parried his son, and then definitely gave him a little knick on the cheek for not being prepared for the obvious followup riposte. His son just got parried and then froze for that crucial half a second. Doesn't look like it immediately, but slowed down there are definitely similarities between Tire Machete and classical European fencing.

[@cush5147]

Years ago while in college, me and many other African Americans considered our African brothers and sisters in Haiti to be some of the greatest blacks and humans to ever walk the face of the earth!

[@giralamoriario6013]

So now your opinion changed??

[@jojojlc7070]

I like how no one is talking about how we lit a candle with nothing at 2:10

[@Ajayjohnson264]

Lmfaoo

[@mohammedaasim4881]

Lol.

[@StickMan1316]

Lol yeah what was that

[@mohammedaasim4881]

@@StickMan1316 Camera Tricks!

[@far9one]

@Random Viewer it’s voodoo sir.

[@craigallen1168]

that is some impressive skills thank you for sharing my deepest condolences to this legendary man's family & loved ones I'm am sure. his legacy is good hands again thank you for sharing this

[@josuepauleus2455]

I'm Haitian and I have to say that that these are terrible subtitles

[@letsgetlyricalpijuhande4769]

Of course, they miss a Lot.

[@jonelgervil6004]

I’m Haitian but grew up in the states, and understood everything. This guy is one with his machete lol he keeps pouring the liquor to pay homage and respect to the dead family members and friends. My grandfather farmed to send my mother and uncles to school, and for food. There are not much jobs and you have to create a way to make a living. Everyday you are on the farm with the machete you get better at using it everyday. Also, many people don’t have the luxury of owning guns you have to used your two hands and feets or your machete to defend yourself.

[@jasonjamaican]

hes playing on hardcore mode

[@jeanalex4213]

Jacmel li ye ???

[@markosdk2]

Beautiful story, brave people. Cheers from Brasil!

[@magifitnessendole3907]

The ending of the film gave me goosebumps. Goal acomplished sublime moments caught in wax

[@hatuey1849]

Dominican Republic 🇩🇴, Haiti🇭🇹 Cuba🇨🇺 Colombia 🇨🇴 creazy Machette

[@warrenchapoton2089]

When spirits tell you to master machete fighting, you listen

[@native2704]

so much wisdom and knowledge rip professor

[@embodytoevolve6356]

Every time I learn something new about Haiti it's deep and rich, bravo!

[@TungNguyen-jn3gs]

Respect from Viet Nam! For Freedom ,friends!

[@centrallifestyle3650]

2:12 he lit the candle without a match. Just used his thumb 😱

[@Hoofhackamore]

It is black magic after all

[@treeguardien]

FLAMING THUMB THATS THE SECRET TECNIQUE

[@treeguardien]

@@Hoofhackamore no no,he's got a point

[@red_dulge]

@@Hoofhackamore How completely sure are you? Do you have any knowledge about black magic?

[@Hoofhackamore]

@@red_dulge i want to say it but I don't think I should

[@msgonsalves3668]

I created a Character and his weapon is the Machete. Looking at the Haiti’s history, I see why I admire it.

[@calvinhoward2277]

What kind of character?

[@msgonsalves3668]

@@calvinhoward2277 It was soldier type character. I had him dressed in Arabian Attire while he carried a Machete

[@dr.greenmm1501]

I live in the DR and i have never heard of this i would like to hear more of the haitian perspective of our story

[@themmmfamily7130]

???

[@themmmfamily7130]

You didn’t hear about it cause you not Haitian

[@themmmfamily7130]

And will never be one

[@dr.greenmm1501]

@@themmmfamily7130 im not intending to be one i just want to learn about your side of the story

[@purefitness6697]

@@themmmfamily7130 and what is the problem ??

[@jeanmoneygreen7153]

Haitian for life!!

[@joelvilsaint4672]

Jean Gustave

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

@@joelvilsaint4672 Joel Vilsaint

[@ბორჯღალი]

Dude with the alcohol and sword reminds me of rock lee's drunken fist

[@annababydaddy]

I'm just waiting for the lightsaber edit.

[@miles2378]

annababydaddy this might have been more interesting than Kripki try to teach Seldon, Leonard, and Rajesh fencing.

[@WiseWarriorsPath2]

but this was like the crummiest martial arts on the planet.. why bro?

[@cre8ed]

annababydaddy yoo that's gonna be ill

[@GadgetMart]

also one of the most deadly.