Ainu
The Ainu people, who are indigenous to the northern islands of Japan, had a traditional fighting style known as “Ainu kenpo” or “Ainu martial arts.” This fighting style was based on the use of weapons such as spears, clubs, and knives, and it also incorporated hand-to-hand combat techniques. The Ainu people used these weapons for hunting and for defending themselves against other groups, but also for ceremonial purposes.
Ainu Kenpo is considered a lost martial art, as the traditional practices and knowledge of the Ainu people were suppressed during the Meiji period of Japan. The Meiji government which was established in 1868 aimed to assimilate the Ainu people into the dominant Japanese culture and force them to adopt Japanese customs and practices. Unfortunately, much of the information about Ainu martial arts is not well-documented and it’s difficult to say for sure if it was an extensive practice among the Ainu people.
Australia
The Indigenous peoples of Australia, also known as the Aborigines, had a variety of traditional fighting styles, but these were not typically referred to as “martial arts.” The traditional fighting styles of the Aborigines were based on the use of weapons such as spears, boomerangs, clubs, and shields. These weapons were used for hunting as well as for warfare and were passed down through generations. The Aborigines also used hand-to-hand combat techniques, such as grappling and striking, in their traditional fighting styles.
It’s worth noting that not all Indigenous cultures in Australia had the same fighting styles, as the culture and traditions of Indigenous peoples varied widely across the continent.
Additionally, It’s important to note that many of the traditional knowledge and practices of Indigenous people were lost during the colonisation process and the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families, known as the Stolen Generations. So much of the traditional knowledge and practices of Indigenous people were not passed on to future generations, particularly in the realm of traditional martial arts.
Inuit
The Inuit people, also known as Eskimos, who are indigenous to the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Siberia, did not have a specific martial art, but they did have a variety of traditional fighting techniques.
The Inuit people used weapons such as spears, knives, and bows and arrows for hunting and for defense against other groups. They also engaged in hand-to-hand combat techniques, such as grappling and striking. These techniques were developed to survive in the harsh Arctic environment and were passed down through generations.
It’s worth noting that the Inuit people were a diverse group of people and their practices and knowledge varied from one group to another, so some of the Inuit people may have had specific fighting styles and techniques that were unique to their particular group or region.
Maya
The Maya civilization, which existed in parts of Central America from around 2000 BC to 900 AD, did not have a specific martial art as we understand it today. However, they did have a variety of combat techniques and weapons that were used for warfare and hunting.
The Maya were skilled in the use of weapons such as the bow and arrow, spear, and the macuahuitl, a wooden sword with obsidian blades embedded in the edges. They also used shields and armor to protect themselves in battle.
Maya also had a practice of capturing enemy warriors as a way of taking prisoners of war, this practice was known as “flower wars” which were ritualized battle that were used to capture prisoners for human sacrifice or for the purpose of enslavement.
It’s worth noting that the Maya civilization was composed of many different city-states, each with their own military and political systems, so the combat techniques and weapons used by the Maya may have varied from one city-state to another. However, it is not known if they had a specific fighting system that could be considered as a martial art.
New Zealand
The Māori people of New Zealand had a traditional fighting style known as mau rākau, which translates to “stick fighting.” This martial art was based on the use of weapons such as spears, clubs, and short-handled weapons called taiaha. The taiaha was a wooden weapon that was used for both striking and thrusting, and it was often decorated with intricate carvings.
Mau rākau was an important part of Māori culture and was used for both warfare and ceremonial purposes. It was passed down through generations, and it was an important aspect of Māori education and socialization. The training in mau rākau was believed to help develop strength, skill, and discipline.
Mau rākau is still practiced by some Māori today, and it is often taught as part of cultural education programs. However, like many traditional martial arts, it’s not as widely practiced as it once was.