What I Didn't Know: HAMA Instructor Talks Haitian Machete Fighting

This is a follow-up to my previous video (a commentary on Zulu Stick Fighting & Haitian Machete Fencing).
• HEMA Guy Comments on Z...
Having a conversation with HAMA (Historical African Martial Arts) instructor Da'Mon Stith to add some information and clarify methods, techniques, and their historical / cultural background. It's interesting to take an outside look at other arts, but of course it comes with the risk of misinterpreting different techniques and forms of practice due to lack of knowledge. On the other hand it can be a great opportunity to open up dialogue and exchange perspectives, which is what this video is about.
There are some similarities to European martial arts, particularly when looking at relatively short single-edged blades like the messer or cutlass, which is not surprising considering universal biomechanics and certain restraints on how weapons can be used effectively. But there is a lot we may miss when taking practice at face value, for example the different dynamics of attacker-defender drills with no protective gear.
Check out his work:
/ damonstith
www.silentsword...
The book by T. J. Desch-Obi that Da'Mon mentioned (Fighting for Honor: The History of African Martial Arts in the Atlantic World):
USA - amzn.to/3j3KfHX
CAN - amzn.to/3AZ6WTV
Other sources and channels referenced:
Haitian Machete Fencing: Mike illustrates the hanging guard with Da'Mon
• Haitian Machete Fencin...
52Blocks
/ @52blocksinfo
Increíble los haitiano practicando ,para aprender luego con los machetes
• Increíble los haitiano...
Zulu & Filipino Kali Stick Fighting
• Zulu & Filipino Kali S...
/ siyabongamakhathini
** Music **
Intro song:
"Illuminate" by Vindsvept
vindsvept.band...
Used with artist's permission
Outtakes:
"Little People At Work" by Horrorpen
opengameart.or...
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)
Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
theslantedroom...
Used with artist's permission
** Support the channel **
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and other rewards:
/ skallagrim
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Books about history and/or martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend (as an Amazon Affiliate I earn commission through these links):
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Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
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Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
www.woodensword...
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#hama #haiti #martialarts

[@VonStrakovich]

Just under 4 years ago i was watching this channel; a series of unfortunate events had left me alone and you suggested finding a local HEMA club. I did and soon we were training on grounds also used by the local ren faire. Last Halloween I married the woman I met there. We never know where a longsword will take us. Thank you for your part in my life journey sir.

[@It-b-Blair]

🥲💛

[@marocat4749]

[@Soul93Taker]

You're living the dream, i actually feel happy for you. 🙌

[@darger3]

🗡 ❤️ Never thought I would ever use those two emojis together.

[@szurmatpl]

I am so happy for you!! Good luck with your life!

[@arquentur6226]

I'm really happy to see Skall going out and actively educating himself and us on fighting arts outside HEMA. I agree with him that alot of HEMA ppl watch other blade arts and judge its efficacy through the lense of HEMA. I'm really glad to see this perspective.

[@markfergerson2145]

I couldn't agree more. It can be hard to even realize that other perspectives can exist if you never learn about other systems. Personally, these videos were eye-openers. As a result of what Stith had to say in this very short exposition, I'm seeing lots of similarities between European and African/African-derived martial arts practices, particularly the careful distinction between how sparring is done and how actual fighting is done. A major difference is that many African cultures keep their forms "alive" because they're still part of their cultures, unlike in current Euro cultures. Despite that significant difference, just as current HEMA can't be considered 100% historically accurate (because all we have are the treatises and archaeological examples of weapons etc. but no direct lineage of living practitioners as opposed to African systems having that crucial advantage), so we should be careful of assuming that any currently practiced African/derived forms are similarly accurate if for no other reason than that as Stith said they would have been modified by interactions with Euro forms, and other African forms. Evolution waits for no one, and cross-fertilization seems to be the norm.

[@ambuknight]

A old Saying my teacher taught me "Remove the Blinders you grew up with and start seeing the world"

[@bitterblossom19]

I agree with this, I practice both FMA and HEMA and most of the time when we train with other HEMA practitioners, they'd outright dismiss anything outside of HEMA as ineffective and take drills and light sparring at face value instead of thinking about why safety of the practitioners is a factor in training. Even our club's hardcore HEMA members do that sometimes when we cross train with other exotic sword styles (there was one time when our French Meyer Longsword instructor got schooled by a Krabi-Krabong practitioner after said instructor dissed the art as ineffective and utter nonsense).

[@boguslav9502]

It is irksome to see HEMA being somewhat brutally purist. Assuming that because its historical its the way to go, forgetting that the human body only moves in so many ways. We can only make so many moves depending on the general body composition of a given culture. You will see differences in asian styles, vs african, vs european and even europe is broken between east, west, and southern (possibly even northern). I really value people literally taking no experience and making something of themselves by discovering how to fight. Its beyond fascinating and often is that which brings most into martial arts. The unexpected but nonetheless discovered.

[@eternalchamp3882]

they judge it because when the cultures clashed in the past europe pretty much wiped the floor with everyone hence it was clear as daylight which one was superior. you could probably pit a single medieval knight against 5 elite african warriors and the knight would wipe the floor with them all. Only asians had a similar high development in fighting and technology and due to the fact that there was very few advanced civilization they did fall behind and the arrival of portuguese in japan introducing fire arms is a testament to that.

[@franciscoguinledebarros4429]

Can... Can we talk about how badass is the name "Guild of the Silent Sword"? Not only that but how perfect it is for the (in itself cool) search and practice of forgotten/unknown sword fighting styles

[@LionClanChief]

The name silent sword is from a historical poem linked to the Soninke the people who founded what is believed to be the oldest empire in west Africa called Wagadu. its the name of the hero called Sefe Dekote (literally meaning Silent Sword) the poem is called “The Dausi" I believe.

[@LuisAldamiz]

@@LionClanChief - TY for your historical explanation. It's still amazingly "badass", possibly even more.

[@unterhau1102]

Sounds like some halo shit

[@LionClanChief]

@@LuisAldamiz you're welcome and I know right lol. I need to read the poem I think there is a giant snake in the story somewhere lol.

[@poilboiler]

@@LionClanChief In a well?

[@VulKus117]

Always cool to see new forms of historical marital arts!

[@blackdragon5274]

I agree!

[@SetuwoKecik]

But it's not new lah, it's just another.

[@johnqpublic2718]

New, or just unknown to you?

[@SetuwoKecik]

@@johnqpublic2718 *to us

[@blackdragon5274]

@@SetuwoKecik new to us

[@cyrilgigee4630]

I'm glad we're going further in depth.

[@MrYago-xd7um]

Indeed this is turning into a marvelous series. Both stick & machete videos have highlighted their necessity for "shimmer & feint" movements and it's great we're getting these sorts of captions with them. Loving it.

[@EpherosAldor]

I wish Da'Mon would have taken a little time to go over one or two of the Haitian videos to kind of talk us through what was going on, like the mindset, the application, the particular footwork, etc... Still though, the video was really, truly informative and fascinating. Also, shout out to Lyte Burly! Been a fan of his channel for a while now and it's great to see his influence showing up in places I wasn't expecting. Thanks Da'Mon for sharing!

[@AlyrArkhon]

"The flat is for the friends and the edge is for the enemies" how simple and yet so cool is this.

[@UnexpectedWonder]

That's very much factual! 👊👊✊✊👏👏👌👌

[@AshenRJ]

I really love when an expert reaches out to expand something that they are good it just to relay better knowledges. Da'Mon Stith is a good man.

[@Peecamarke]

This was beautiful! 👍🏿 Never seen a convo between a HAMA and HEMA practitioners

[@LionClanChief]

He has spoken to another member of HAMAA too actually I remember the video from a few years ago.

[@JetConvoy]

Agreed, as HEMA practitioner I’d love to try HAMA one day and as they both become more popular I’d like more cross training and support from each community, there is much we can learn from each other.

[@MaaZeus]

@@JetConvoy Yes! Cross training between Hema and Hama dudes would be awesome sight!

[@w0rloko]

@@MaaZeus you're in luck, the algo gave me this video of sir in the video above, also on youtube "2018 Short Blade Symposium HAMA vs HEMA. EPIC FIGHT!"

[@fizzledimglow3523]

To the algorithm! I love this kinda positive scholarly interaction in historical martial arts.

[@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight]

I love the interaction between sword communities. I recently got hooked onto Razmafzar, Persian Martial Arts, and now I own a blunt shamshir to practice with. Their channel often has discussions and presentations with other communities including HEMA and Atlatl Mexico (Aztec revival). It’s so cool to see these communities be good at what they are while also being friendly & respectful to each other in the name of sharing culture.

[@richardhenry1969]

I'd never heard of that Persian art. Just looked it up thanks. I've always had a place in my heart for those weapon designs.

[@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight]

@@richardhenry1969 I heard it’s a relatively new revival/reconstruction of the Persian arts. Dr. Khorasani is the founder and he wrote the books that kickstarted the movement. Their first KZbin channel was made in 2011, and their current channel RazmafzarTV was made in 2018.

[@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight]

Amusingly, I first heard of Razmafzar when I jumped into the rabbit hole of Purpleheart Armoury's website when trying to buy HEMA gear. I looked in their section of "World Martial Arts -> Indo-Persian Culture" and found all sorts of training weapons that caught my eye. The "Shamshir Trainer" included Frank Perrin's review of the sword and listed his organization. Then I had to look it up on KZbin, and thankfully, they had an official channel this whole time, since 2011 (2018 for their current channel that they migrated over to).

[@richardhenry1969]

@@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight hey thanks again I really love everything about that time period from swords to bows to armor. You have a good one my friend.

[@shama5488]

What is the aztec one you are talking about? I tried looking it up but I just keep getting results about the Atlatl weapon, and some other made up martial art called xilam.

[@ShellShock1967]

Bladed martial arts like this, escrima, and so forth is akin to chess. DaMon is right, it's a series of moves until your opponent makes a mistake. You have to have much stamina and patience to win.

[@Skallagrim]

Tactician Sun Tzu' also argued along those lines, saying that you should make yourself unassailable and wait for the enemy to make a mistake.

[@ThePsychophile9]

Takes a lot of confidence and discipline, no doubt, when your mind is screaming "get the other guy before he gets you."

[@TallicaMan1986]

This is basically how Obi Wan Kenobi fights. He's barely on the offensive and rather plays the role of defense until his enemy either starts giving into their stamina or make mistakes.

[@TheRedHaze3]

Also seemed to be the strategy of the undefeated ancient Greek fighter Plato, in the Olympic sport of Pankration. And of course it's also the strategy of the undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather.

[@Juggtacula]

@@TallicaMan1986 Form III / Soresu. It's the most defensive of the 7 traditional Jedi fighting styles and Obi-Wan was the undisputed master of it.

[@WumboGuy]

I've followed Da'mon Stith for a while and I really enjoy his work in reconstructing African martial arts. Would love to see you guys collab more, even if its just more discussions like this.

[@MichaelJenkins910]

That is one of the most productive and informative "meeting of the minds" videos I've seen in a while. Thanks to you both.

[@FeArmizare]

Da'Mon is great. Really glad that you had him on!

[@cinvhetin8054]

Mr Stith mentioned a very interesting idea: Learning more about different fighting styles helps you in the case that you fight someone who "isn't playing by the same rules." I would be very interested in seeing a sparring video of HEMA versus HAMA and how the two styles would interact. I am aware that right now it is hard to bring people together, but maybe in the near future something like that can be arranged. I for one would love to see that video.

[@mikaj1462]

Definetly would be interesting to see, as was MMA in the earlier years, all fighters were masters of one style fighting masters of other styles.

[@LionClanChief]

There are a few already some involving Da'Mon Stith. Search Shotel vs messer you'll see one.

[@Freak480]

It's interesting to see how various fundamental reappear in most martial art styles. I assume the biomechanics of fighting long, relatively thin, weapons simply push all martial arts in the same intitial direction to later see great differentiation.

[@christopherfisher128]

That was a discovery that Bruce Lee said he made, that led to him founding Jeet Kun do witch was used by the creators of MMA etc.. It's always the foundations that matter

[@weswolever7477]

There’s only a few ways you can punch someone

[@TheGallantDrake]

@@weswolever7477 only a few *effective ways you can punch someone. you can definitely punch someone with, say, your thumb inside your hand, but it won't be terribly effective.

[@implausibleimpossiblehypot4006]

@@weswolever7477 how you punch them is what makes the difference ;) for instance rocky marcianos gazelle punch

[@aaftiyoDkcdicurak]

Some times a sword move is just a sword move.

[@Corwin256]

This is amazing! Honestly, one of the bigger points for me was something that feels so obvious in hindsight: traditions like this have roots in Africa because the slaves taken from there weren't blank slates. I knew religious traditions survived, but never considered that martial traditions also would. I didn't think they wouldn't. I just didn't think of it one way or the other. It's really hard to truly see outside my little world and culture, so thanks for helping me in that. The best part is that I have links and starting places to learn so much more.

[@MrAllmightyCornholioz]

Da'Mon Stith made me realize that African martial arts is very underrated yet practical.

[@chronicdose]

Really cool interview! Love to see more of these, connecting your audience with uniquely experienced individuals.

[@VisionStorm1]

Been subbed to Da'Mon Stith for a while. Think I ran into his channel while looking up stuff about Khopesh one day. Lots of interesting stuff dealing with African martial arts.

[@scottydu81]

I found him through How To Make Everything

[@iansullivan9738]

This is one of the best episodes I've ever seen on your channel. Listening to the two of you discuss blade fighting was absolutely fantastic. You two were meant to find each other and form a podcast, please don't ignore what is clearly your destiny.

[@Campanellaa]

Perfect follow up video! We really need a study on "performance" "realness" and "efficiency" espistemology in modern perception of martial art systems

[@Dwaynerade]

Sweet! Thanks for this conversation! It's great that there's people out there researching and practicing these African fighting arts. I appreciate your curiosity.

[@GameTimeWhy]

I hope the video does well enough we can get more content like this. Always cool learning more about different fight styles and breaking myths about African culture being exclusively "primitive".

[@mugo4581]

I loved this style. Plz do invite more people of different cultures and fighting backgrounds

[@stonegiant4]

Great interview. Loved this guest. He has tons of interesting ideas and insights.

[@keithallardice6139]

Riveting!! Absolutely fantastic content, Skal, great idea and very much appreciated! Fascinating to hear the thoughts, ideas and explanations of Da'Mon who seems very knowledgeable and transmits that knowledge in a very clear and easily understood fashion ... this collaboration and exchange of ideas makes my heart sing :-)

[@raijinjulius1291]

This was an awesome talk. Ive been doing eastern and western martial arts for years. I honestly have never even thought to investigate African martial arts despite myself being half black. Giving it deeper thought. The African diaspora that has adopted western and eastern style (i.e. boxing/ some what bjj) have truly made the styles their own. When Stith was commenting on the focus on defense and movement I couldn't help but think of the great boxers such as Ali and Mayweather. While many of us have been disconnected from our African warrior roots. We have found ways to express them through other culture's martial arts all while still somehow maintaining our roots.

[@crabe804]

We need more of this. More interesting experts and researchers in HAMA, more corrective feedbacks promoted by creators. Excellent approach and content, thanks to you both.

[@jonc8074]

Great to see you following up in depth on an interesting topic

[@JKing-mj6yv]

this is a really interesting topic and i’m glad you decided to delve deeper into it with an expert

[@gambito_do_rei]

In Brazil there is this "style" of traditional stick /machete fight called Maculelê. Although it's form died as a real combat style, its shadows remains within the Capoeira practice. I found it quite interesting and even a bit similar to Haitian machete fencing. Thanks for the video, pretty cool content in the channel.

[@gambito_do_rei]

For the ones interested to see how it looks like check this link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6O0aKWDjKdpgbs

[@alexkozliayev9902]

Idk, when i trained maculele in capoeira, i didn't see anything from martial art, except the fact that it uses sticks/machete.

[@gambito_do_rei]

@@alexkozliayev9902 nowadays it is performed more like a dance. But it once was a real thing, and died out. I am not saying that it is still practiced as combat style. But in its origins it was intended for the real deal. During the early 20th it vanished and was recreated over the memories of a few. In the end Maculelê came to be as a memory of an old style hidden within the movements of the dance. Yeah, you are right, it is no longer a martial art. But its history remains...

[@HouseholdDog]

Yes I have heard of that one. It's fairly famous.

[@Strider_Shinryu]

Awesome interview! Thanks for putting in the work to get this out!

[@MikeMurphy01]

I had never hear of HAMA, but this is a great interview. All people should be proud and practice their historical arts. I'm wondering if I could learn too?

[@Temphis626]

This is very cool! Would love to see more content like this, Exploring other martial arts and having guest experts come on and talk with you about them. Thanks for coming on Da'Mon! Was great to learn some new things.

[@2desper22]

It would be interesting if at some point, if and when it's possible, to have an in person discussion with comparisons and demonstrations between the systems the two of you are familiar with

[@maelgugi]

Do you want a keyboard war? because that's how you get a keyboard war. On a 1:1 fight it can be reduced to the person that practiced more and had better skills/luck. On a open battle it can be reduced to which is the best managing the resources (food, water, weather, training) weapons are almost secondary.

[@LuxisAlukard]

This video is great, I appreciate it very much! And it's really nice for Da'Mon to explain all those spinning and exposing your back. Thanks, guys!

[@guardiancologne9034]

I really appreciate your covering of HAMA and bringing more attention and interest to the community.

[@caseydubois3645]

It would be interesting to see a sparring match between a Messerist and a HAMA practitioner.

[@LionClanChief]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/noa5h51ohLyhfrM

[@LionClanChief]

That's Da'Mon Stith in the video dualing the Messerist.

[@WumboGuy]

@@LionClanChief was just about to link that video it's a pretty good match too.

[@caseydubois3645]

@@LionClanChief Awesome. I was thinking more along the lines of machete vs messer, but this works too.

[@WumboGuy]

@@caseydubois3645 he has another good fight in that same event against a cutlass kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHjCkIefataJa6s

[@JoshuaBenitezNewOrleans]

I am absolutely loving the comprehensive study of the Machete dueling- the historical, cultural, in combat, and across regions of cultural influence. An absolute masterclass

[@nikolab.4065]

I really liked the part of this coversation where the defensive play and its importance are addressed. This is also the topic I liked the most from your previous video, where you discussed binding techniques which is something I want to research and something you could maaaybe make a video of in the future (which I would love if you did)

[@justinmccready9885]

Da'Mon is a fantastic resource for HAMA and Haitian MA. I love that he is getting more exposure and a wider audience.

[@reaper-vi8380]

I really appreciate these videos with guest speakers because not only do we get a look into a different system of martial arts, but we get the in depth look into it as well as a compare-and-contrast with HEMA. Where some practitioners may view HEMA as the know-all-end-all of bladed martial arts, a true practitioner of bladed arts will recognize that there are many more bladed arts one can learn from and, why not, incorporate into their fighting style. When the one finds similarities between different bladed instruments and their uses, the techniques applicable become varied, giving the user a distinct edge (no pun intended) over the opponent.

[@DatTran-gw6ch]

Thank you to Da'Mon Stith for reaching out and giving information about the context of these practices and systems. I learned a lot.

[@mateuszmazur6222]

Yet another excellent videos from one of my favorite historian. Please I would love for more videos like this one. Hearing from other experts is such a great follow up.

[@jerrymaurer2100]

Amazing. Keep branching out!

[@grief6052]

Guild of the silent sword sounds like a secret order of elite fighters you find at an rpg by accident and spend 10 quests looking for them

[@eoagr1780]

Those exercises remind me of the couching method in olympic sabre. Where the instructor isn't going full speed or using any footwork. The point is to make the apprentice fencer better at responding or attacking, sometimes with a pattern of actions, other times letting the fencer figuring out the best solution, and from time to time just being spontaneous.

[@ritz892]

Love how this video came up the moment I finished your previous video about Machete Fighting.

[@revzsaz9418]

Thanks for having this discussion and for putting it out for us Skall 🙏 This was really interesting and I found it pretty informative. Cheers to Da'Mon for coming on too 🍻

[@bruja_cat]

This is the coolest!!! I’m from the Caribbean & love that you’re showing this!!

[@robinmarks4771]

Awesome content, Skall. HAMA makes me just as giddy as HEMA, so I'm glad you're using your channel to help bring more exposure to all historical martial arts. Keep up the superb work, and thanks to Da'Mon for sharing his insights.

[@riverdi1991]

Really interesting, my favorite video in a while. This is very inspiring to hear from differents informed perspectives

[@tapeleg2000]

This was by far my favourite video of yours recently. I would love to see you do more of these talks with a regional expert.

[@jamesallred460]

I'm a white guy from rural Oregon, and where I grew up we used machetes all the time, still do, so I've always been interested in the machete. Please make more vids like this, it's fascinating stuff!

[@jakeapplegate6642]

Thanks for reminding me I need to work on the blackberries in my backyard.

[@jamesallred460]

@@jakeapplegate6642 you and me both!

[@zrie_prakis]

I LOVE this collaborative content on your channel. Thanks for so much researched and educational content.

[@longline]

Excellent colab, excellent questions, and excellent decolonisation. It's great to promote conversation like this, I learned a lot.

[@pseudomonad]

Saw the last video, thought it would be great to know more about this. Thanks for arranging MOAR DETAIL! Really enjoyed; good to know more about martial arts outside of Europe and East Asia!

[@d0r1an06]

Love Da'Mon Stith. Great that he came on here to chat! Thanks for this video.

[@lokuzt]

hatian machete, batuque/pernada and old (historically recorded, pre-1938) capoeira styles share a lot of footwork principles with the triangle step theory we see in modern boxing. As Da'Mon Stitth says, one particular focus we can clearly see is the concept of _malicia_ on these systems where whole body dynamics and evasion are addressed with a higher degree of attention instead of those of intercepting, deflecting or blocking attacks; yet notice that this is more prevalent in training drills (this helps to make lessons last longer, so that more follow up techniques can be done over and over) and not in fight applications, where the whole point is to be precise and end the conflict in as little movements and with less exertion as possible. Great interview!

[@kevinneighbour3458]

Da'Mon is great. Had the pleasure of training with him a couple of years ago when he ran a workshop at our HEMA school. It definitely helped improve my flow. Afterwards we got drunk chatting down the pub! Quality martial artist and bloke! You wanna know African MA? Follow Da'Mon!

[@poonpoon1374]

really intersting learning about different forms of martial arts from different cultures. good stuff skall.

[@nishbrown]

Excellent. Establishing a rhythm and breaking it on an off beat is one of the basics of combat.

[@Amantducafe]

It is very common in latin american countries to have victims of machete injuries. Due to the mass of the weapon and the sharpness it is both blunt and cutting which means that you can see cuts and broken bones in the same injury. ER rooms have one of those atleast twice a week, usually drunk men, you will have a blast if you are learning to stitch.

[@Ryzawa]

This channel has really opened my eye, I used to be so European-focused but nowadays I've taken up some more external interests from that.

[@Shanamoonchild]

I am so happy that you opened the world up to this. Learning and appreciating and respecting other cultures. This is the way of the warrior. And to open a dialog with practitioners of the art is key. Well done Skal.

[@UnexpectedWonder]

I'm really glad that you brought this Brother on, Skall! I thought it would be really cool if the two Communities engaged with one another. But of course it would be you who connected matters. 👊👊👌👌🙏🙏

[@biocthor1512]

YES!! This tipe of content is what I love about Skall channel. I much apreciate the way you try to learn from others martial arts and cultural perspectives. As a martial artist myself I can apreciate how much I ignore about others forms of martial arts and how much fun I can obtain by learnig about them. I strngly support seen more content like this.

[@stewartmcclelland2594]

Master Da'Mon was a great teacher to me, love to see him again!

[@waynemccormick4773]

This is the first in depth discussion of African (or Latin/Caribbean) martial arts or weapons traditions! I would LOVE to see more of this. I hope Da' Mon will be a frequent guest on you channel. I'm especially curious about the Zulu system around the Asaga (tradtion Zulu short stabbing spear)

[@VK-sz4it]

Great video. You did some polls about what videos do we prefer. For me that kind of video is the best - packed with info. It doesn't necessarily has to be interview. Just a lot of sweet sweet info.

[@dannyhirajeta1060]

Excellent video man,

[@rockinunderscore52]

it would be amazing to see more guest speakers providing input to the channels content!

[@Stethacanthus]

This is probably my favorite video you have ever done. I would love to see more videos of you talking to people continuing traditions of martial arts that aren't as widely represented, and maybe even studying from them a bit when the pandemic is over.

[@TheSpanishInquisition87]

Great video. I love seeing fighting arts from all over the world. When we limit ourselves to the wisdom of only one geographic region we miss out on so much.

[@jaysblades]

This was genuinely fascinating. Thanks gentlemen!

[@nicolaiveliki1409]

Nice exchange, very interesting! I've always been interested in Machetes as they are pretty much ubiquitous

[@scottmacgregor3444]

Hey, you got Da'Mon Stith on again! Awesome.

[@FedericoMalagutti]

Nice video, I follow Da’Mon, really appreciate his work, nice to see him receiving more exposure.

[@jissquared]

Definitely interesting. Seeing and discussing martial arts as informed by different parts of the world is imperative to the growth of the individual and the style as a whole. Perhaps we can watch you two trade techniques as well.

[@sackofclams953]

I like the simulating chaos role of the attacker since you’re more likely to be attacked by an untrained person with crazy movements than a trained person. Also, pretty much everyone in rural Latin America has a machete so it’s the first thing someone would grab if they wanted you dead and this style is actually decently practical even today. Most real machete fights you see online are NOT this well controlled

[@exudeku]

War in general is chaotic as fuck. My country's martial art, the Kali, is mostly used to chop enemies with Bolo knives since Magellan got fucked up by my ancestors.

[@thelegendarysix]

Da’Mon’s classes are pretty dope. Seeing his work in Texas back in 2019 was a privilege, and I appreciate his work on the academic side. Thanks for bringing him on!

[@Eulemunin]

Always good to see to knowledgeable people talk to each other. Especially with respect and curiosity.

[@TheFlyguywill]

If his gamer tag isn’t “StithLord” he’s really missing out

[@LionClanChief]

🤣🤣

[@KlausBeckEwerhardy]

This is what KZbin should mostly be about. Taking a look at new thongs and then having experts to this and the wider field to discuss it for the benefit of the community. Great work you two.

[@AbstractObserver]

This interview is GREAT, seeing other styles from other cultures is something that bring alot of value here

[@Barisdagame]

I like this discussion really enjoyed and it opened up a brand new area to travel for more martial arts for me so far I've only been going to Asia and Russia and the middle east along with personal home training thank you again

[@brettanomyces7077]

Great content Skal! I'd like to see more guests in the future. Good on you for giving exposure to this and helping out another community.

[@fakeme3968]

Very good interview. Very informative and educational. I can't wait to this Marcia art form makes us way to California I'm very interested in learning.

[@unfortunatesun]

Thank you for the extra perspective - I really like the interview format.

[@test2tester53]

Please, please, please get this guy back to talk about the footwork used in Haitian machete fighting, and then the Ethiopian sickle sword

[@michaelmccoy1794]

Great video! Thanks to DaMon for sharing his knowledge of this subject. And thank you skall for featuring it!

[@Nimno74]

super awesome dialogue, very informative and quite fascinating..

[@jacksonsnellgrove9399]

This was a great conversation

[@candleman2123]

This was awesome, would be keen to see some more of these style I am not familiar with. the mentality and methodology is especially interesting. The two-machete combat training snippet was interesting to watch, using a moving blade in the off-hand to defend constantly, but seemed to be in position to strike form those guards, and primarily striking with the on-hand.

[@warhammerhawk4187]

Crazy how im just now seeing this. Im glad to see this collaboration

[@pokemon1895]

Great video. I really enjoyed having another perspective on all this. I would love it if you can keep having guests on for different topics.

[@tonesville1598]

Da'mon is brilliant and these topics are great, Skal!

[@danteclark1706]

Excellent interview🔥🔥🔥