AFRIKAN MARTIAL ARTS INSTITUTE

Our Mission

T he mission of The Afrikan Martial Arts Institute is to promote and preserve the traditional, indigenous martial arts of Africa, as conveyed through the system of Egbe Ogun; to focus on adults, as well as children, in our educational activities; and to share the history and cultures of Africa with our community, through demonstrations, lectures, workshops, classes, films, plays and music.

Our objectives include forming a strong community of martial artist who are skilled in indigenous African martial arts and/or martial arts of the diaspora, including the ability to sing, play the instruments, execute the movements and techniques, and have knowledge of the roots, rituals, and traditions of African and Diaspora martial arts.

We encourage our members to promote the ideals of human equality, cultural exchange, and global peace and justice through involvement in projects worldwide.

We will continue to learn and develop our martial arts through interaction with other practitioners and we will serve as a cultural force which inspires the appreciation of the African martial arts.

Balogun O. Abeegunde

The Teacher

M artial arts instructor, author and Egungun (Ancestral) Priest, Balogun O. Abeegunde began training in the African Martial Arts in 1972. He resides in Stone Mountain, GA, but has been blessed to teach the African Martial Arts all over the country.

We call the art we teach Egbe Ogun ("Society of Warriors"), however, all African martial arts are traditionally just called "wrestling". In African Martial Arts, to "wrestle" someone means to put them on the ground on their back, belly, or side, so as to render them more vulnerable to a finishing technique. Thus, if I strike an opponent in his head with a stick and he falls, I have effectively "wrestled" him. So punches, kicks, throws, chokes, weapons, and even incantations (it's true and documented) are all utilized by African Wrestlers.

I have been studying the African Martial Arts for 36 years and teaching for 20 years.

In addition to teaching martial arts, I also act on stage and screen, write plays and screenplays and act as martial arts choreographer and stage combat technical consultant for movies, videos and stage productions.

I am also an avid fan of graphic novels and comic books and will soon publish a graphic novel and comic book series.

I enjoy studying African traditions, travel and spending time with family and friends.