The Forgotten Power of Kipura Elbows: A Legacy Restored by Njia Uhuru Kipura

 

The Forgotten Power of Kipura Elbows: A Legacy Restored by Njia Uhuru Kipura

Elbow strikes have long been celebrated as a defining characteristic of martial arts such as Muay Thai and Wing Chun. However, the true origins and comprehensive mastery of these techniques are deeply rooted in the ancient Alkebulan (miscalled African) martial art of Kipura. Head Coach Mwalimu Mtaalam Ras Fletcher, of THE ATACX GYM, has preserved and revitalized the authentic knowledge of Kipura, particularly its elbow techniques, through his family’s art of Njia Uhuru Kipura—"Kipura’s Way of Freedom." This art reveals that the elbow strikes known today are mere shadows of the extensive arsenal in Kipura, practiced thousands of years before the emergence of the Shaolin Temple or the Kingdom of Siam.

The Ancient Origins of Kipura and Kandeka

The people of Kongo, Sudan, Rwanda, and their surrounding regions are direct descendants of Nwba, miscalled Nubia by European scholars. As documented in The Golden Age of the Moor and A World Before Genesis: Ta Seti, Kemet, and The Nile, the martial skills that evolved into Kipura and its subset, Kandeka, were practiced as early as 2700 BC, during the rise of the Nubian civilization. These skills included unarmed combat, grappling, stick and knife fighting, and headbutting—all seamlessly integrated with the use of elbows.

By the time the Shaolin Temple was established in 495 AD, the techniques of Kipura were already millennia old. Kandeka, a subset of Kipura, emphasized fluid, adaptive combat strategies, including slap boxing, grappling, and the use of weapons, making it a versatile and deadly art. The elbow techniques of Kandeka, inseparably married to grappling and headbutts, were a cornerstone of this martial system, proving their practicality and effectiveness in both armed and unarmed combat.

(Source: The Golden Age of the Moor, Ivan Van Sertima; A World Before Genesis: Ta Seti, Kemet, and The Nile, Asar Imhotep)

Kipura Elbows: Beyond Striking

What separates Kipura’s elbow techniques from other martial arts is their versatility and integration with other combat skills. Unlike systems that isolate elbows as standalone strikes, Kipura treats them as extensions of the body’s natural movement. Three key features define Kipura’s elbow arsenal:

  1. Integration with Grappling and Headbutts
    In Kipura, the elbow is never used in isolation. Every strike is paired with grappling techniques and headbutts, creating a seamless flow of attack and defense. These movements mirror the survival strategies honed by the ancestors of Nubia to navigate both human and natural threats.

  2. Weaponized Applications
    Kipura’s elbow strikes are not limited to unarmed combat. They transition effortlessly into armed scenarios, complementing stick and knife fighting techniques. This adaptability highlights the martial art’s roots in practical survival.

  3. The Arsenal of 52 Blocks
    The system of 52 Blocks, widely practiced in African American communities, condenses many of Kandeka’s principles. The elbows of 52 Blocks reflect the influence of Kandeka’s intricate techniques, fused with other cultural combat styles like Kickin and Knockin. However, only Mwalimu Fletcher has preserved the complete and authentic expression of these techniques through Njia Uhuru Kipura.

(Source: The Tao of 52, Lyte Burly)

The Resilience of Nubian Wrestling and Kandeka

Nubian wrestling, another martial tradition from the Nwba civilization, further illustrates the sophistication of ancient Alkebulan combat systems. As described in scholarly works on the history of Nubia, this art emphasized leverage, fluidity, and tactical striking—qualities also present in Kipura. The integration of elbow strikes into grappling techniques exemplifies how these ancient systems prioritized adaptability in combat.

Nubian wrestling served as a foundation for Kandeka, where techniques like elbow strikes, locks, and throws evolved into a comprehensive system of survival and warfare. This continuity across millennia underscores the depth and resilience of Alkebulan martial arts.

(Source: The History of Nubia, Derek A. Welsby)

Colonial Erasure and the Reclamation of Kipura

The colonization of Alkebulan and the transatlantic slave trade resulted in the suppression and distortion of indigenous martial arts. The authentic expression of Kipura and its elbow techniques was fragmented, reduced to isolated components in systems like Cardio Capoeira. Mwalimu Fletcher’s Njia Uhuru Kipura restores this lost knowledge, revealing the full scale of Kipura’s combat principles and reclaiming its place as a foundational martial art.

Colonial powers sought to co-opt and erase the skills, knowledge, and resources of Alkebulan peoples, but Njia Uhuru Kipura stands as a testament to their resilience. By preserving and teaching the true essence of Kipura, Mwalimu Fletcher ensures that its legacy endures, inspiring practitioners worldwide.

Kipura’s Legacy in Modern Martial Arts

The influence of Kipura’s elbow techniques extends far beyond Alkebulan. From the precision elbows of Muay Thai to the dynamic strikes of 52 Blocks, the legacy of Kandeka is evident in countless combat systems. However, only Njia Uhuru Kipura retains the holistic understanding of these techniques, integrating them with grappling, headbutting, and weaponized applications.

This restoration of Kipura’s authenticity reclaims its rightful place as the origin of many modern martial arts. By embracing the teachings of Njia Uhuru Kipura, practitioners connect with a heritage of strength, adaptability, and freedom.

Join the Movement and Honor the Legacy

Reconnect with the authentic roots of martial arts through Njia Uhuru Kipura. Discover the power and precision of Kipura’s techniques and carry forward the legacy of resilience and innovation.

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