HEMA Alliance
Encyclopedia
The HEMA Alliance is a martial arts
federation
dedicated to the study of Historical European Martial Arts
. It is organized as a United States
nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Utah.
One of the alliance's stated goals is to connect HEMA groups from all over the country.
database dedicated to the masters, manuals, and techniques of Historical European Martial Arts. The Wiktenauer is an open-source service provided by the HEMA Alliance for its members and the general public; contributors need not be members of the HEMA Alliance. “Where we lack the oral tradition of Asian martial arts, handed down from teacher to teacher over centuries, what the original masters left us might be more valuable: their original words and instructions,” says Jake Norwood, president of the HEMA Alliance.
Michael Chidester has provided extensive concordances of a number of manual groups on the Wiktenauer.
, a Governing Council, and a Curriculum Council. The Board of Directors is responsible for oversight and strategic direction, the Governing Council manages the daily operations, and the Curriculum Council is responsible for research and training programs. The Governing Council is democratically elected by the Alliance membership while the Curriculum Council appoints its own councilors. The Governing Council has veto power over Curriculum Council appointments, and also recommends nominees to the Board of Directors.
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
federation
Federation
A federation , also known as a federal state, is a type of sovereign state characterized by a union of partially self-governing states or regions united by a central government...
dedicated to the study of Historical European Martial Arts
Historical European martial arts
Historical European martial arts is a neologism describing martial arts of European origin, used particularly to refer to arts formerly practised, but having since died out or evolved into very different forms...
. It is organized as a United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Utah.
One of the alliance's stated goals is to connect HEMA groups from all over the country.
Programs and services
Programs and Services provided by the HEMA Alliance include:- Mentoring new HEMA clubs
- Sponsoring HEMA-related training events and symposia.
- Developing and publishing curricula and original research.
- Forging bonds with educational institutions.
- Providing an optional ranking and instructor certification system.
- Development of HEMA training equipment.
- Support of HEMA research, teaching, and equipment services as professions.
- Services for teachers and clubs, including insurance.
The Wiktenauer
The Wiktenauer is a WikiWiki
A wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used collaboratively by multiple users. Examples include...
database dedicated to the masters, manuals, and techniques of Historical European Martial Arts. The Wiktenauer is an open-source service provided by the HEMA Alliance for its members and the general public; contributors need not be members of the HEMA Alliance. “Where we lack the oral tradition of Asian martial arts, handed down from teacher to teacher over centuries, what the original masters left us might be more valuable: their original words and instructions,” says Jake Norwood, president of the HEMA Alliance.
Michael Chidester has provided extensive concordances of a number of manual groups on the Wiktenauer.
Governance
The Alliance is directed by three counterbalanced bodies: a Board of DirectorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
, a Governing Council, and a Curriculum Council. The Board of Directors is responsible for oversight and strategic direction, the Governing Council manages the daily operations, and the Curriculum Council is responsible for research and training programs. The Governing Council is democratically elected by the Alliance membership while the Curriculum Council appoints its own councilors. The Governing Council has veto power over Curriculum Council appointments, and also recommends nominees to the Board of Directors.
Operating philosophy
As stated on the Alliance website, "The Alliance is dedicated to excellence as well as freedom and variety in the pursuit of Historical European Martial Arts. The Freedom of Study Policy built in to the bylaws guarantees that the membership will always have freedom of association in their training and that the product of the Curriculum Council will never be presented as a mandate. The Financial Policies guarantee that member dues will serve the full membership and not select individuals or clubs. The HEMAA is an all-volunteer organization..."HEMA Alliance member-written literature
The following is a partial list of books written or contributed to by members of the HEMA Alliance.- Knight, David James & Brian Hunt. Polearms of Paulus Hector Mair. Paladin Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58160-644-7
- Reich, Steven. Docciolini Transcription Lulu, 2009.
- Reich, Steven. Falloppia Transcription Lulu, 2009.
- Reich, Steven. Manciolino Transcription Lulu, 2009.
- Vail, Jason. Medieval and Renaissance Dagger Combat. Paladin Press, 2006. ISBN 978-1-58160-517-4
External links
- The HEMA Alliance
- The Wiktenauer
- HEMA Alliance Training Partner Finder
- Jason M. Taylor , The Return of Western Sword Fighting, Black Belt MagazineBlack Belt MagazineBlack Belt is an American magazine covering martial arts and combat sports founded in 1961 by Mitoshi Uyehara. During the early years of the publication, Uyehara was a hands-on owner and publisher...