Martial arts connect people to each other, to their neighbourhood, and to their community. In the gym, people train together, and friendships develop. The gym can act as a community centre, where the teacher shares life lessons and helps students with their problems. El Otmani in Amsterdam Slotervaart is such a social gym. Here, Nourdin El Otmani (1979) and his team of trainers help young people get in shape, but also with other things they struggle with.
Many martial arts have also had a role in strengthening communities throughout history. Fighting techniques are passed down from generation to generation. Sometimes this is very local. Māu rākau is the martial art of the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, or Aotearoa, as they call their country. Trained fighters teach the techniques to the next generation in the meeting house, which is the place for language, politics and culture in Māori communities.
But for many people, martial arts connect them throughout different countries and continents. Through Capoeira, people around the world learn about the language, culture and music of Brazil. And practising pencak silat can strengthen the bond people have with Indonesia. Martial arts and identity belong together, strengthening the connection between people.
