9,840 Abibisika (Black Gold) Points

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“Danmyé is a traditional martial art with roots in Africa that manifested itself in Martinique in the times of slavery and flourished in one form or another until the 1960s when, faced with social, religious and administrative interdictions, it nearly vanished from the face of the island—surviving only as an element of folklore. …At a school founded by AM4—both young and old have come together in an effort to resuscitate and rehabilitate this magnificent art form so that it can serve as a tool for elevating the bodies and spirits of its practitioners as well as contribute to the attainment of universal social justice in Martinique.

With regards with respect to its earliest origins, the researchers of AM 4 (in a publication entitled Asou Chimen Danmyé) conclude that the art now known as Danmyé has multiple African origins. In effect, it is a fusion of various African combat arts that were brought by enslaved blacks to the island of Martinique. This ‘multiple preexistence’ hypothesis is supported by the fact that Danmyé combatants utilize different styles in different parts of the island and that the fight was known by several different names.”
-Edward L. Powe, Black Martial Arts III: Dances Martial Arts of the Americas Part II-Danmyé/Ladjia/Wonpwen

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