-
“These African American closed societies perpetuated what they termed the ‘Old Time Religion,’ and they utilized an arsenal that included both knocking and kicking and root doctoring. This association linked the martial art and medical knowledge together as parallel means of attaining power. It was not uncommon for bonded fighters to rely on sacred medicines provided by elders of the Old Time Religion or root doctors in general. Conversely, elders of the Old Time Religion societies, who served roles akin to those of root doctors, also relied on knocking and kicking for their physical protection.”
-T.J. Desch Obi, Fighting for Honor: The History of African Martial Art in the Atlantic World
