Question about Brazilian Jujitsu and 52

Mr. Marks,
You are very well versed in your history of African Martial Arts throughout the African Diaspora. What are your thoughts on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Its popularity has exploded along with the rise of MMA. Many view it as a sound base for MMA. But few consider its history with regard to the influence that African Martial Arts has had in Brazil. Most are familiar with the Gracie's story for they are responsible for founding and developing BJJ. However, it is my opinion that BJJ was developed within a culture that was strongly influenced by African traditions. For instance, Brazil was among the first countries to abolish slavery due to a series of intense rebellions. The rebellions were carried out using African fighting styles (ie. "shackle-fighting, as some would call it).
What are your thoughts?
Vince


Greeting Vince,

It’s true that real arts are developed in environments that challenge the human spirit, and the will to survive. Although BJJ is a great sport and the foundation for MMA it’s predecessor Vale Tudo which means Booth fight. Like its Caribbean and Southern cousin Ruff N Tumble (Any thing goes) were fights that included Biting, Gouging, and Head butting.



Now a bit of history, the slaves of Bahia were known for this style of combat, as they were not allowed to own weapons. Since the escaped slaves waged war against the Plantation owner (wielding weapons), yet this did not prevent the need to protect one self. Before the term Capoeira became the popular fighting style, other art forms were being merged (or dieing off) like Batique, and forms of wrestling, the names of these arts have faded to a whisper, yet can be seen in the practice of the current art of Angola. Some of the other Styles of Capoeira were modified to form a structured system now made famous by Mastre Bimba Called Regional, Bimba was best known as a warrior who fought and beat a Japanese Wrestler in a Vale Tudo match.



Capoeira is as big as Soccer in Brazil even the Graices practice the art which gave them the edge in fighting with capoeiristas. It was the modifying of Vale Tudo rules that gave birth to the UFC although the contest boasted No holds barred the rules flavoured the grappler, and most Martial Art systems had forgotten about fighting from the ground. Striking from the ground is not like grappling which is controlling your opponent, locking him up, and making him say uncle or it breaks. The thing to remember here is that Catch Wrestling in the Southern US was just as brutal and predates BJJ. Wrestlers like early Prize Fighters would travel the world with Carnivals or side shows and challenge all comers to try and lick them for money. These tough man contests are your UFC before the blending of Combat sports which help to round out all fighters

giving them the tools to compete at a higher level. So if it were not for the slaves fighting of Vale Tudo, Bjj wouldn’t be the art it is today as they owe their sport to the violence of a slave port where the term any thing goes was the norm.

peace