James Loreiga

he sjambokis one of the most versatile and effecive of all flexible weapons, having been used for centuries in Africa. The Scourge of the Dark Continent: The Martial Use of the African Sjambok by Jeames Loriega is the first book-length treatment of the defensive use of the sjambok.

Loriega, a well-known and respected martial arts expert, covers every aspect of the sjambok; Its history, nomenclature, properties, how to practice, stances, strikes, use with other weapons, and how to modify it so it is best for our personal use.

The sjambok can deliver non-fatal, disabling blows from short, medum, and long ranges, and with either hand. A psychologically intimdating weapon, as well as physically devastating, the sjambok's uses range from defending against a single attacker to crowd control. In lllustrated detail, Loriega explains the basic combat stances, whipping methods, striking methods , and choking and strangling methods, as well as which targets are best for each method. The best ways to practice are covered, and the author tells you where to obtain a sjambok, and how to customize it.

James Loriega has been a martial artist for more than 30 years, and has obtained advanced instructor credentials in several martial disciplines, including ninjutsu, Tsugawa-ryu-ninjutsu, and daito-ryu-aikijujutsu. He also holds instructor ranks in Trece Cortes eskrima (a Filipino knife and stick system) and Acero Servillano, the traditional Spanish system of edged weapons. The Scourage of the Dark Continent: The Martial Use of the African Sjambok will be of interest to all students of flexible weapons systems, and anyone interested in self defense.

Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgments
Foreword by James A. Keating
Introduction
Part I Traditional and modern Sjamboka
Chapter One The traditional sjambok
Chapter Two Traditional and modern sjambok construction
Rhinoceros hide sjamboks; Hippopotamus hide sjamboks; Crafting the traditional sjambok; The synthetic sjambok; For the martial artist; The parts of the synthetic sjambok
Chapter Three Qualities of the sjambok
Physical properties; Psychologically intimidating attributes; Combative qualities
Chapter Four Preliminaries
Safety first, last, and always; Other precautions
Part II Combat methodioigies
Chapter Five Fundamentals
Combat ranges; The three basic ranges; Footwork; Principles of use
Chapter Six Whipping methods
Targets; Techniques; Trajectories
Chapter Seven Striking methods
Targets; Techniques; Reversing the sjambok
Chapter Eight Choking and strangling methods
Targets; Choking techniques; Strangling techniques
Chapter Nine Weapons symbiosis
Middle range tactics; Weapons in tandem; Mindset and strategy
Chapter Ten Related weapons
Other rigid whips; Filipino whips
Part III Honing weapon and body skills
Chapter Eleven Practice
Solo training; Developing your own sjambok kata; Ambidextrous training; Continuous motions; Other training
Chapter Twelve Customizing the sjambok
Chapter Thirteen Keeping the sjambok available
The shortened sjambok; Field expedient whips; A sjambok in the house ; Discreet locations; A word to the wise is sufficient
Addendum Past and present accounts of the sjambok
Sjambok accounts in the past; Sjambok accounts in the present
Afterword
Appendix A Acquiring a sjambok
Appendix B Obtaining furhter instruction
Appendix C Videotaped resources
Bibliography
About the author… (meer)