LINAMBAY TERMINOLOGY. By David McGoldrick.
I have been directly conversing with GM Dacayana a lot in recent months about the Linambay Palotak Eskrima (LPE) system. One aspect of our conversations that GM Dacayana thinks would benefit everyone to have on record, is Cebuano terminology. Whilst all of the terminology is directly related to the Linambay system, most of it is also very useful in the broader Dacayana Eskrima syllabus.
Cebuano is the dialect of the Visaya/Bisaya language that is spoken on Cebu. GM Dacayana feels that there is a big move in the Philippines towards making Tagalog the official language of the country at the expense of Cebuano. Tagalog is spoken in Manila (the Capital) and understood by most Filipinos, even those who don't usually speak it. However, Cebu is a natural centre of Eskrima. Whilst it is not the only place on the Philippines where Eskrima/Arnis is practiced, Cebu has clearly been the centre of Eskrima history and development. It is only right that Cebuano should be the dialect used when referring to Cebuano Eskrima systems. However, even here in the west, much of the Eskrima terminology has been Tagalog, which obviously lacks authenticity. From a personal point of view, I think that when you try to minimise language, it often loses a lot of its meaning, which in turn limits people's understanding. There is already too much of this going on in the world, in my opinion. (Please read "1984" by George Orwell for further details).
Let's start with the three things I have noticed that will help to improve your pronunciation. Firstly, the emphasis is always on the second last syllable. This is impossible to know from reading a word, you must hear it. Secondly, 'ay' is pronounced like "I buy pie!". (Please note: the Coaches of the Dacayana Eskrima system cannot be held responsible for the results of you buying too much pie!) So, following the first two rules, "Linambay" has an emphasis on "nam" and "bay" is pronounced like "buy". "Alicaway" has an emphasis on "ca" and "way" is pronounced like "wifi". Thirdly, more often than not, "o" is pronounced "u", as in "to do". This is why you will often see "o" and "u" interchanged when we spell Cebuano words in English.
POSITIONS: Andam means "prepared". This refers to our signature fighting stance.
(Tig)Bantay means "guarding". This often refers to the position of the left hand.
"Serado" means "to close". This can refer to a closed guard, where your right (dominant) hand crosses over to the left side of your centre. It can also refer to a closed stance, where both you and your opponent lead with the right foot. In Linambay, you usually have a closed guard in a closed stance (that keeps it simple!).
"Abli" means "to open". This refers to an open guard, where your right hand stays on your right side. It also refers to an open stance, where your opponent leads with their right foot and you lead with your left. Again, we usually have an open guard in an open stance.
DRILLS: "Doce ka Terada" means "12 strikes". There are 12 foundational strikes in LPE. (Obviously, there are also 12 in Dacayana Eskrima).
"Pinaypay" means "fanning" or "to fan". This comes from the word "Paypay" (pronounced Pie pie) which just means "a fan". (This is often referred to as "abanico" in Tagalog).
TECHNIQUES: "Ekis" means "X" and refers to any diagonal strike. The "E" is pronounced "ee" as in "see".
"Plansa" means "flat" (i.e. on a plane) and refers to horizontal strikes inwards and outwards.
"Totsada" or "Sungkit" means "thrust" and refers to a stab where the point of the weapon is driven into the target. (This is called "Toslok" in Tagalog).
"Flywheel" is the only term taken directly from English (it is a circular mechanism that makes a car engine run smoothly) and refers to a big downward circular cut.
"Arco" means an "arc, curve or circle". This is a method of resetting so that you can do consecutive strikes in the same direction. If you strike inwards, you could circle the weapon clockwise to strike in again. If striking outwards, circle anti-clockwise.
"Taup" is difficult to translate directly. In LPE, it refers to the last attack, which is a vertical, double strike that cuts down to the ground, twists over and cuts back up again. GM Dacayana explains that it means to dip down to a lower level. It also means to protrude outwards, or to push a point into or through.
TARGETS: "Olo" means "head". The top of the head can be a target for downward strikes.
"Tampihak" means "temple". This is referred to as the target for high inward and outward strikes to the side of the head.
"Mata" means "eye" and is the chosen target for thrusts (totsada).
"Suwang" means "chin" which is usually struck upwards.
"Abaga" means "shoulder". There are many more vulnerable targets around shoulder height, but for safety, we aim at the shoulder.
"Hawak" means your "side". This refers to targets such as the ribs or hip.
"Itlog" or "Lisik" means the "groin". Amusingly, "itlog" also means "egg" in Cebuano. However, "lisik" translates as a "fierce look" in Tagalog. I suppose that is a reaction to being hit in the groin!
"Tuhod" means "knee". There are obviously other vulnerable targets around knee height.
"Pamulso" means "wrist". This is a primary target in LPE for disarming whilst staying at a safer distance.
WEAPONS: "Bolo/Barong/Sundang/etc." refers to "a short sword or a long knife". There are so many names and types of bladed weapons and tools used in the Philippines. They come in varying lengths, blades, handles, styles and weight. Sometimes, the same weapon can be called different names and sometimes different weapons can be called the same name. My advice is not to worry about this and just use the terms that the leader of your style uses.
"Pinuti" or "Pinute" means "whitened" and is the term most used by GM Dacayana to refer to a longer, thin blade with a point. When agricultural tools were going to be used for combat, they would be sharpened and polished, which whitened them.
"Kutselyo" or "Kutsilyo" means "knife". This tends to refer to a tool with one edge and sometimes a point. This can be used as a short weapon.
"Punyal" means "dagger" and refers to a knife with two edges and a point. This can also be known as a combat knife, because it has no purpose other than combat.
"Wasay" means "hatchet" or "a small axe". These are more usually used in pairs at the more advanced end of the LPE syllabus.
"Olisi" means "stick" irrespective of the type of wood.
"Bahi" is a hardwood taken from the heart of the trunk of the coconut tree. Whilst it is safer and more practical to use "Olisi" made of rattan, Bahi can be used for harder impact.
"Palo palo" is the spine of a palm. This can be made into a flat stick and used as a paddle. Flat sticks better emulate bladed weapons.
"Palotak" is a flat paddle designed specifically for LPE. It can be 24 inches to emulate a bolo or less than 12 inches to emulate a knife. It is also capable of inflicting brutal injuries in its own right.
Tagalog terms have been used for a long time in Eskrima because they are convenient, but they are just not authentic when referring to Cebuano styles. Unfortunately, google translate is awful and will often give Tagalog words when you are looking for Cebuano. My advice to students is not to be too critical of your Coaches if they use the wrong term. I have been studying this for some time now and I still catch myself making many mistakes, but I am getting better. My advice for Coaches is to make the effort to use the correct Cebuano terms. I believe that teaching is a great honour and "with great honour comes great responsibility". I was once told that if I get it wrong, then my students get it wrong. I believe that we have a responsibility to teach authentically. I hope you all find this guide useful to add authenticity to your Eskrima.