Limalama is a Polynesian art of self-defense, created and founded by
Tu’umamao "Tino" Tuiolosega (1931–2011). Tuiolosega created the word "Limalama" as a
portmanteau
In linguistics, a blend—also known as a blend word, lexical blend, or portmanteau—is a word formed by combining the meanings, and parts of the sounds, of two or more words together. derived from the
Samoan language
Samoan ( or , ) is a Polynesian languages, Polynesian language spoken by Samoans of the Samoan Islands. Administratively, the islands are split between the sovereign country of Samoa and the Unincorporated territories of the United States, Unit ...
words ''lima'' (hand) and ''malamalama'' (understanding). Tuiolosega defined Limalama to mean "knowledge and understanding", and translated it as "hand of wisdom".
[LimaLama®]
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History
As a youth Tuiolosega was taught Polynesian dance movements and techniques which he learned from his father and uncle but these movements were simplistic and some involved movements with striking techniques, based on traditional Samoan dance In the mid-1950s he developed his own techniques and fighting forms to create a new martial arts system which he called "Limalama". He introduced it in Hawaii and later established commercial schools in California. He is recognized worldwide as the Founder of Limalama and Grandmaster of this system.
Techniques
Limalama is system of self-defense which consists of circular motions and movements with a specific curriculum of techniques and forms. It is characterized by flowing, dance-like movements. Around 60% of its curriculum is based on hand techniques.
Founder
Founder Tu'umamao "Tino" Tuiolosega was a member of the Samoan Royal Family, the son of the King of Ofu-Olosega
Ofu and Olosega are parts of a volcanic doublet in the Manuʻa Islands, which is a part of American Samoa in the Samoan Islands. These twin islands, formed from shield volcanoes, have a combined length of 6 km and a combined area of . Together, ...
. He studied Hapkido
Hapkido ( , , ), also spelled ''hap ki do'' or ''hapki-do'' is a Korean martial art. It is a hybrid form of self-defense that employs joint locks, grappling, chokeholds, throwing techniques, kicks, punches, and other striking attacks. ...
, Shaolin kung fu
Shaolin kung fu (), also called Shaolin Wushu (), or Shaolin quan (), is the largest and most famous style of Chinese martial arts, kung fu. It combines Chan Buddhism, Chan philosophy and martial arts.
It was developed in the Shaolin Temple in ...
, judo
is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, combat sport, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyc ...
, boxing
Boxing is a combat sport and martial art. Taking place in a boxing ring, it involves two people – usually wearing protective equipment, such as boxing glove, protective gloves, hand wraps, and mouthguards – throwing Punch (combat), punch ...
, Hung Ga
Hung Ga Kuen (Cantonese) or Hongjiaquan (Mandarin) ( zh, 洪家拳, link=no, meaning "fist of the Hung family") - alternatively shortened as either Hung Ga () or Hung Kuen () - is an ancient southern Chinese martial art, which roots lie in th ...
and other martial arts in his youth, and was trained in traditional Polynesian combat by his father and uncle. He was an amateur boxer and fought in more than 100 matches. He served in the US military
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. U.S. federal law names six armed forces: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and the Coast Guard. Since 1949, all of the armed forces, except th ...
during the 1950s, participating in the Battle of Inchon
The Battle of Inchon (), also called Inchon landing, was an Amphibious warfare, amphibious invasion and a battle of the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favor of the United Nations Command (UN). The opera ...
and serving as a hand-to-hand combat instructor, and also acted in the 1979 action film ''Seven
7 (seven) is the natural number following 6 and preceding 8. It is the only prime number preceding a cube.
As an early prime number in the series of positive integers, the number seven has symbolic associations in religion, mythology, supers ...
'', directed by Andy Sidaris
Andrew William Sidaris (February 20, 1931 – March 7, 2007) was an American television and film director, producer, screenwriter. After a pioneering career directing televised sports beginning in the 1960s, Sidaris wrote and directed a succes ...
.
References
{{reflist
Hybrid martial arts
Sport in Samoa
Oceanian martial arts