HEMA Census again

[Roger N]

Agreed. Thus far it hasn't really been a problem though, but I will give this some thought.

Most clubs thus far have listed what they do and fall well within the category of how most people seem to define HEMA and WMA. So although I agree that there are issues that need to be considered, based on the experience thus far I think we are making things a little overly complex here.

[Ulrich von L...n]

Golden Sabre
Hungarian Historical Sabre-fencing School

Just a quick summary of the information from their site.
After a thorough warm-up they practice basic cuts & parries, then polish different techniques in pairs, then free sparring. They specifically indicate that during training they emphasise sparring activities. They do use wooden sabres and protecting equipment: different gloves, head gear etc.

An excerpt from their homepage:
"The essential skill that needs to be learned for wielding a sabre is a series of swift
motions, a still living tradition in the martial arts of Inner Asia. When reconstructing the swordplay of the ancient Hungarians, we also studied this tradition, as well as the Hungarian folk traditions which have preserved these movements in traditional shepherd's dances, which often imitate the duel of two men."

Because there are no written sources of ancient Hungarian sabre fencing - from 9th to 18th C - these guys are using a mixture of ethnography, experimental archaeology etc. to recreate it. BTW the leader of the group is dr Csaba Hidan, PhD, archaeologist and historian.

Reenactment

hidan_1.jpg (34.15 KiB) Viewed 359 times

Training

hidan_2.jpg (87.33 KiB) Viewed 359 times

hidan_3.jpg (93.09 KiB) Viewed 359 times

Further pictures:
http://www.aranyszablya.hu/galeria/thum ... hp?album=1

P.S.: I will contact all these groups and will inform them about your survey.

[admin]

So although I agree that there are issues that need to be considered, based on the experience thus far I think we are making things a little overly complex here.

I agree that it is good to keep things simple, but I think a definition of HEMA for the purposes of the survey would help achieve that. Consider also that some of what we consider reenactment groups also buy things like nylons swords, feders, fencing masks and padded jackets to train with now days. So for equipment you may want to count any group that is doing anything even remotely like HEMA, as they may be buying the same products.

[Ivan]

Defining HEMA would definetly help, since I've seen a few schools on the list which are HEMA "on paper", but actually focus primarily on reenactment, like some branches of Koza's school.

[Ariella Elema]

AEMMA Toronto currently has 45 paid-up members. That doesn't include the archery group, and I'm not sure if it includes the people who take rapier classes exclusively. There are three general medieval martial arts classes and two advanced classes a week, but we're about to add a fourth general class because weeknight classes are regularly pulling 20 people or more.

Note that the e-mail address currently listed on the census has a typo. There should be an 'e' in AEMMA.

The Guelph chapter has its own contact address. It's info_guelph@aemma, etc. I'm not sure how many people currently train in Guelph. In Digby, Nova Scotia, I think there are half a dozen or so.

In addition, a brand new AEMMA chapter is holding its inaugural meeting in Stratford, Ontario this very evening. Contact info_stratford@aemma etc.

[Roger N]

Thanks for this Ariella! I really appreciate it! I would also very much appreciate if you told the other chapters about this so we can add proper data for them. Last time I had 72 in total for the whole of AEMMA.

[Phil C]

Defining HEMA would definetly help, since I've seen a few schools on the list which are HEMA "on paper", but actually focus primarily on reenactment, like some branches of Koza's school.

There are also several Karate or RBSD schools in the US who study HEMA and don't even know it...

[Roger N]

OK. Based on how the Swedish Martial Arts Federation (SvHEMAF) is working on defining HEMA; here is a rough translation of its definition of HEMA as it stands today. And I apologize beforehand to the SvHEMAF for any bad or faulty translation:

"HEMA is Historical European Martial Arts.

The word 'historical' means all European martial arts originating from before 1950. The tradition must be living or have preserved source material for study.

The word 'European' means martial arts originating from the European continent reaching to Caucasus, Bosporen and the Ural mountains or who's origin has a clear European connection.

The words 'Martial Art' refer to combative arts and combat sports that do not already fall under any organization's area of activity.

HEMA can be exercised as studies of historical material, public education or sports (idrott) [ - Here translation is difficult since the original word is "kampidrott" which includes both martial arts and martial sports].

The words 'studies of historical material" mean that both the theoretical and practical work connected to interpreting and learning of the historical material are required.

The words 'public education' mean free teaching where a group of individuals, without an instructor, (a so called 'study circle') help out in developing their practical and theoretical knowledge, skills and capacities in HEMA."

This definition is constantly being refined by SvHEMAF and I do not wish to dive into a lengthy debate on this definition or its implications. Suffice to say that Bartitsu is included in this, as is Jogo do Pau.

Exactly what clubs and practitioners that are considered serious or good enough to deserve to be called HEMA is very hard to define and I suspect there will always be strong feelings and criticism involved here between various fractions.

[Ariella Elema]

AEMMA Stratford had nine people out to its first class. Their numbers will probably bounce around a bit as the new club finds its groove. I haven't talked to anyone from Guelph lately. You could try e-mailing them.