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The Huwian Martial Art
This public article was written by [Deactivated User] on 7 Nov 2020, 17:22.
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zýgowagú
[zy˩˧.go̞˧.wa˧.gɤ˩˧]
n. a Huwian martial art that uses rhythmic dance-like movements that are not only attacks and blocks but also symbolic and spiritual
The Girekian people were fisher-foragers and spent much of their time net fishing the surf. A sort of signal language developed to aid in communication between individuals spaced out along the beach. This signal language,
Girekian Sign Language, was also used in dances and ceremonies (similar to hula).Girekians used måmak to emulate and connect with nature and the spirits. It was naturally incorporated into the ritual combat used to settle disputes between clans.
Then called "zyxomaqu" (which very roughly translates to "flow like the tides" in
Girekian) was performance combat (similar to capoeira) intended to be one on one with no weapons and accompanied by music.As time passed, the performance became a fully fledged martial art in its own right, with standardized techniques and movements. Tools like fishing nets, gaffs, and knives were incorporated and eventually fine tuned into proper weapons.
As with everything else in Girekian culture, zýgowagú emphasizes balance between the elements. Each fighting technique is associated with one of the elements and builds on their inherent characteristics.
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The gytœ̄war [gy˧.tə˥.wã˧] are a pair of bladed weapons adapted from sickle heads and used primarily for stabbing and slashing. They feature a longer front blade with two sharpened edges, and a shorter rear blade with one sharpened edge.
Always used in pairs, the shape of the blades allows for defense. But the main advantage of this weapon is that it will lacerate and puncture in many different directions.
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Called the hūwæjî [hɤ˥.wɛ˧.ji˩˥˧], this dual wielded pair features a dagger and a sword. The dagger has a spiked guard to do extra damage with short range attacks.
While the dagger evolved from fishing knives, the sword is the only weapon designed specifically for combat. It is the reason the name of this weapon set derives from pair of death.
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The classic fishing spear and net, kūwô [kɤ˥.wo̞˩˥˧], was the first set of tools/weapons to be used for zýgowagú and remain largely unchanged from their original design.
The weighted net is superior defense in skilled hands. The spear is generally used to jab, but it is not uncommon for the net to be dropped and the spear used as a two-handed staff weapon.
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First used by the river clan, the kēkādo [ke˥.ka˥.do̞˧] is a set including a hammer and a hooked sword.
The hammer is traditionally used to build boats and piers. Its shape remained largely unchanged, with the addition of a pointed handle on most and adjusted shape and dimensions on some to allow for throwing.
The hooked sword originated as a fish gaff. The hooked design proved useful for disarming opponents, and later a short sword with this design element in mind was created for use in zýgowagú. The forward edge of the blade is sharpened for slashing attacks.
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The dœbāā [də˧.ba:˥] are a pair of sticks wielded as extensions of the martial artists arms. They usually feature a scarf of fabric on the back end.
Most zýgowagú martial artists first learn empty-handed form, then choose the dœbāā as the weapon technique is more or less identical.
There are two standard grips, or hand placements:
- Near the back end, appropriately named the dohæ̀ hammer grip. This is the traditional grip, where the scarf is wrapped around the knuckles and hand to secure the weapon and reinforce punches.
- Just behind the midpoint, the zúwœ̀œ̀ tail grip is a more modern choice. The scarf is left loose as the flowing fabric helps prevent an opponent from tracking the weapon.
The first technique every martial artist must master before picking up a weapon is hēwœ [he˥.wə˧] empty as it focuses entirely on proper stance and form, including proper breathing and etiquette.
Linked to gú, the life force, the hēwœ technique is practiced by martial artists and laypeople alike (similar to tai chi) as it teaches how to find and maintain balance even with opposition.
Most start with dœbāā as their first weapon. The attacks, blocks, dodges, and parries used with dœbāā are the same as in hēwœ, so it is an easy first weapon to learn as the fighter is essentially just doing hēwœ with a longer reach.
This is the hēwœ practitioner's best option when facing an opponent with a weapon, as the dœbāā sticks would allow one to block and parry without injury. Since the sticks are traditionally made of a hard porous cane material called hàwakūwa [ha˦˨.wa˧.ku˥.wa˧], they absorb the impact from bladed weapons without losing integrity.
This close-range weapon connected to the magic element we delivers quick, hard attacks intended to bruise or break any body part it comes into contact with, doing damage beneath the skin and hūwa gúsì hūwi killing without blood. Defense is built on dodges and deflection with a primary goal of throwing the opponent off-balance when they attack.
The gytœ̄war uses similar techniques to the dœbāā, but with a much stronger emphasis on attacks. These fast, lethal weapons are hard to defend against as even blocking can cause serious injury.
Powered by jâ, the fire element, the gytœ̄war is intended to be a heavily offensive weapon technique where puncture or laceration of vital tendons and arteries bring a quick end to a fight. The shape of the weapons
Many consider the earth element technique kēkādo to be the middle ground. Using close range weapons means many of the moves are similar to hēwœ, dœbāā, and gytœ̄war. However, having a different weapon in each hand leads to a fighting style more like what is seen with the longer range weapons.
The most unique feature of the kēkādo is the duality of the hammer and sword. The hammer is blunt, used to deliver heavy, decisive blows and the occasional jab, while the sword is sharpened and used for quick slashes.
The kēkādo is also one of two techniques that focuses on incapacitating an opponent and/or rendering them defenseless; it is often used for apprehending criminals. The sword can be used to pull a weapon out of an opponent’s hand, or to hook an elbow or ankle.
The hūwæjî technique, associated with hā the element of light, is a long range weapon technique (close range and long range being determined by whether or not opponents are close enough to use lower body attacks like kicks, knees, and leg sweeps).
The offensive style of this technique is smooth and fluid in motion, but very deadly. Each offensive move is designed to leave a life threatening wound. Dodging is not preferable, as the goal of defense in this technique is to draw your opponent closer in order to stab or punch with the dagger hand.
It is not uncommon for zýgowagú martial artists to use one of the dœbāā sticks to spar with in lieu of the dagger in order to prevent injury.
The kūwô is the most popular weapon technique. Aptly equated to sì, the element of water, the traditional fishing spear and net are familiar to most Huwians as the symbol of their culture and a link to their ancestors.
This technique focuses on making the best use of one’s tools and situation. The goal is not necessarily to kill an opponent as much as to subdue and incapacitate them. Skilled use of the weighted throwing net is critical to proper form with this weapon set.
Practitioners of kūwô learn how to use the kūwôas a one-handed spear and a two-handed staff. This versatility comes in handy if ever the fighter loses control of their net. ✎ Edit Article ✖ Delete Article
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