The Lion's Den: An African and Persian Martial Arts Workshop, 1100 E Chelten Avenue (2026)

05/05/2022

Instructor Introduction:
Khari Evans is the Curator of Historical Research for the HAMA Association. He has always had a love for swords and weaponry, beginning with toy lightsabers and stick fighting. From ages 7 to 12 he participated in the Wayfinder Experience in Philadelphia, a live-action, role-playing group that hosts large capture-the-flag battles for kids on weekends.
In high school his interest in military history and martial arts increased and he started collecting machetes, swords, and other weapons he could get his hands on. He started test cutting and learning more about different sword forms around the time he joined HAMAA as an auxiliary member in 2016. His first organizational event was Children of Ogun led by HAMAA Vice President Osa Nkante and Regulatory Officer Nick Bulan in December 2018. He later attended the inaugural 2019 HAMAA Gathering and placed second in the Tournament of Champions mixed weapons tournament. Khari was made a full council member of The HAMA Association in February 2021 and since then has assisted and led various projects in the organization. He has also networked and attended events with many non HAMA affiliated martial arts groups and at Triangle Sword Guild’s 2021 Octoberfect event he had the pleasure of teaching the inaugural Sahelian Sword and Shield Class that is being offered at the Lion’s Den.
Sahelian Sword and Shield/ El Matreg Class :
The Sahel is a vast intermediate land between the great Sahara desert and the more temperate climates found further south it is a collection of semi-arid grassland and savannas. The Sahel spans 5,900 km (3,670 mi) from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea and this region has been home to both great powers like Mali, Kanem–Bornu, and the Hausa States as well home to fiercely independent Nomads like the Tuareg and Fulani. The Sahel, a unique meeting place of environment and cultures, had ways of waging war as iconic to the region as its vast seas of sand and grass. This class will combine North African Stick Fighting, Nomadic Sword Dances and evidence based experimental archaeology to give a crash course on the use of one of the most important item in a Sahelian warriors arsenal, the 2x4 feet War Shield and its use with weapons found ubiquitously in the region the Sword and Spear.

19/04/2022

LET'S MEET!

17/04/2022

Instructor Introduction:

Isa Martell is a long-time practicing member of Razmafzar, and student of its founder Dr. Manouchehr Khorasani. He has giving numerous seminars and lectures about its techniques, while utilizing them in a practical way through fighting in various duels and tournaments.

Prior to discovering Razmafzar, Isa fought for many years in armored combat while active in The Society for Creative Anachronism. However, his interest in middle eastern weapons led him to believe that the people he encountered were using them incorrectly and that they must have their own unique fighting style based on the cultures they came from. This notion led him on a path of research upon which he ultimately found Dr. Khorasani and his Razmafzar project.

Isa has trained in Pai Lum Kung Fu, and currently practices Kyoshin Ryu Karate alongside Razmafzar. He participates in Buhurt duels, as well as Harnessfechten and HEMA tournaments.

Confirmed Class:
Shamshir (sword) and separ (shield) are the fundamental weapons for many warriors. This class will be an overview of basic footwork, striking and defending with a curved sword, and how to use the curvature of the blade for optimal performance. This will be based on the treatises published in the book Persian Archery and Swordsmanship, by Dr Khorasani.

O

05/04/2022

Instructor Introduction!

Adam Myrie is a student of the martial traditions of North Africa, specializing in Medieval Egypt. A student of the Modern Tahtib program of Egyptian stick fighting, he has shared what he has learned in countless workshops between Canada and the United States. As a member of the Historical African Martial Arts Association, he is the project lead for the Mamluk Project, an endeavour to translate a martial arts training manual from 15th century Mamluk Egypt. A lover of the martial arts, he has trained in various systems including El Matreg, which he uses as a foundation for reconstructing North African Sabre, and Filipino Martial Arts, which he studies with Sabong Kali.
Modern Tahtib:
With over 5,000 years of history, stick fighting in Egypt carries the legacy of pharaohs, emperors, sultans, and the many warriors that followed them into battle over the centuries. As a part of the martial culture of the peoples of Upper Egypt, its legacy has endured the ravages of time, and through its many developments over time, continues to carry the warrior spirit of its people. Modern Tahtib is the most recent incarnation of this ancient practice. The life’s work of Dr. Adel Boulad, it is the recombination of the many techniques from the villages along the Nile river into a renewed and unified system that incorporates dance, music, and devastating techniques with a simple stick.
North African Spear and Shield:
Based on his readings of the Mamluk Lancer and his interpretation of what has been translated thus far through HAMAA’s Mamluk Project, this class will cover the basics of Adam’s adaptation of mamluk mounted lance combat to short spear and shield on foot. This class will outline the basic footwork, defensive, and offensive movements with the shield and short spear.

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1100 E Chelten Avenue

19138

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The Lion's Den: An African and Persian Martial Arts Workshop