Staff and Spear terminology

[the Khazar Kid]

In one of Mark Wiley's books he repeatedly refers to the Fillipino staff as "bangkaw" and the spear as "sibat", while Kelly Worden's "sibat" is apparently a staff, and I seem to remember "bangkaw" also refering to spears in other sources? Are the words for staff and spear interchangeable, or do they refer to different lengths of weapon? To further confuse things, I have heard the Fillipino Muslim spears are called "budiak", and the staves could be called "garrote", "tapado", or "ananangkil". What do you call Fillipino staves, spears, and other pole-arms in your style?

 

[Stickgrappler]

i've heard the staff as sibat and spear as bangkaw and not the other way around.

 

[Inayan]

That's right.

Not sure about Wiley's book or what he says but Sibat would mean a long staff. Bankow would be the same but with a spearhead attached.

In Inayan Eskrima we cover both unless we need to be specific by saying Sibat/Bankow. Usually referring to the type of weapon and range.

 

[DC Cooper]

Why does Inayan pick on Mark Wiley? Everyone knows that they are upset with him since he never wrote about Mike Inay. Go back to your own web site and be bitter and stop picking on Mark Wiley. He performs a good service to all despite the bitterness you and your clan has against him.

 

[Smoke]

Speaking of old school
http://www.hobocamp.com/Chapter5.html

 

[the Khazar Kid]

Thanks, Smoke! Great link.

Assuming we go with the theory that Filipino Kali is from Indonesian Silat, and Silat from Indian, African, and Arabian martial arts, here's some even older school:

www.alliancemartialarts.com/tahtib.html

The Gatka is more Cudgel 'n Shield, while the Silambam and Tahtib bring this thread back full circle to the subject of Staves.