Martial Arts and Combat Traditions A Global Overview 2025

Welcome back to selfhelp4wellness! In this episode of Martial Arts Podcast Course – Vol. 2, we explore the global diversity, philosophy, and historical evolution of martial arts as documented in “Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia.” From ancient African combat dances to European swordsmanship and East Asian internal energy systems, this episode is a deep, scholarly dive into the true cultural roots of fighting arts.

📚 What you'll discover:

The origins and meanings of martial arts across continents and cultures

The contrast between bujutsu (war technique) and budō (way of life)

African stickfighting, wrestling, and warrior dances as training for war and identity

How Japanese kyudo, Indian kalarippayattu, and Thai ram dab merge art, spirit, and combat

The transition from battlefield to sport: From gladiators and samurai to Olympic judo and taekwondo

Key terms, systems, and philosophies from Brazilian capoeira to Filipino Arnis to European fencing

💥 This is martial arts beyond the dojo—understanding how fighting systems evolved from:

Spiritual practice

Ritualized performance

Colonial resistance and national identity

Self-defense, healing, and warrior honor codes

🎙️ Whether you're a martial artist, historian, or seeker of ancient wisdom, this podcast offers a world tour of martial tradition—showing how every culture developed its own unique way to express movement, power, and meaning.

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