Introduction/Mission Statement
The Cumann Bhata (or Stick Society in English) is a new organization formed in the year 2000. The purpose of this organization is twofold.....first to promote the growth of this restored style of stickplay common in the Irish Faicseanaíocht(faction fighting) through teaching, seminars and publications, web and otherwise... and secondly to promote research into further knowlege of this art.
We do not concern ourselves with politics nor do we try to regulate what others are doing concerning the art of Irish stickplay. We are not setting out to become the ruling body of this study. We are only concerned with promoting what we have learned and sharing with those who want more information.
We would much rather work with people than against them.
Organization
We will be following the ranking system of Scholar to Master as used within other systems of European Martial Arts From elsewhere in the British Isles and the Continent. Although there is come evidence that the Anglo-Irish used this ranking methiod via the company of Masters and the connection between Northern Ireland and England as well as the Pale in the 16th/17th century....it is doubtful that these gradings were used by the masses of stickfighters in Ireland. We have decided to use the concept of rank as a way to let everyone know where they are and where they have to go to improve. The Irish language will be used rather than English.
The Cumann Bhata will be divided into the following levels or ranks:
Level 1 Scolaire or scholar
Begining student in the Irish Stick method. At
this level there is no free sparring and practice is limited to the basics of
single stick. Knowledge of the strikes and various thrusts and all of the ceann
and buta blocks are learned at this level. Basic footwork is also learned at
this time. One for one drills as well as three count drills are introduced to
the new student after they have the blocks and strikes down to a certain degree
of proficiency. Footwork drill are also practiced at this level.
Level 2 Scolaire Saor or free scholar
This level includes the student or
scholar who has worked his or her way from set practice to free sparring and
had begun to work on the Troid da Bata (two stick fight). The drills found in
the Scolaire level are still done but they are added to. The drills take on a
more combative nature until the actual teaching of sparring is commenced. At
this level the scholar is introduced to the grappling aspects of the close
stick fight. This aspects leaves the realm of the Faction Fight for a moment to
delve into Irish Collar and Elbow wrestling as practiced by the Irish settlers
of the NE USA in the early 19th century. Additional material from early Cornish
wrestling is also added at this time.(The early Cornish style and the collar
and Elbow are very similar. The Cornish style is used to fill in gaps). A study of bareknuckle boxing or Pugilism is undertaken at this time as well.
Individuals who have achieved this rank in the Cumann Bhata:
Evan Dicken Ohio
Stephen Logan Ohio
Matt Fehr Ohio
Kirk Lawson Ohio
Mark Rainey Ohio
Justin White-Lowther Ohio
Keith Nelson Colorado
Level 3 Propast or Provost in English
This level is for those who
have shown competancy with the weapons, unarmed and drills as well as the
history of the art....it is at this level that a scholar may begin to
teach those of a lesser rank...an associate instructor.
Individuals who have achieved this rank in the Cumann Bhata:
Rob Barton Massachusetts
Pete Kautz New York
Ken Pfrenger Ohio
Level 4 Máistir Pionnsa or fencing master
This level the
scholar must show expertise in all aspects of the art. A full instructor
of the art.
At all levels the history and theory of the art should be studied with the goal
of not only learning but furthering the art kept in mind.
Chapters
Currently there are three Chapters of the Cumman Bata:
Cumman Bhata ne New York is located in Ithaca NY USA. It is headed up by Propast Pete Kautz
Pete runs a school called Alliance Martial Arts
Cumann Bhata na Massachusetts is located in East Bridgewater MA USA. It is headed up by Propast Robert Barton
Cumann Bhata na Ohio is located in Warren Ohio USA. It is headed up by the Cumann Bhata Director and Propast Ken Pfrenger
If you find your self near one of these locations please contact the local rep for more information or for training.
We are always looking for those who wish to learn and help spread this or any other version of Irish stickplay. Several times a year seminars are held around the United States in which one or more of the chapter heads conduct workshops. While seminar instruction is not as quick or thorough as private or group instruction, it is the next best thing. There are several projects that are in the works that should help to get some more information to those who are interested in learning the art but cannot travel to visit one of the chapters.
Study Groups and Solo Practice
Study groups can be formed of two or more people interested in exploring Irish cudgelplay further. At least on of the people involved need to keep in contact with one of the Organization Director or one of the Chapter Heads listed above. They will be known as the Ceannaire (leader or guide) for the study group.
Here is a list of official study groups:
Cumann Bhata Dayton Ohio USA
Ceanaire: Scolaire Saor Kirk Lawson
Cumann Bhata Chatham Ontario Canada, Chatham Stick Society
Ceanaire: Scolaire Shawn Carron
Further info: Scolaire Jason McIntyre
Irish stickfighters, Brisbane Australia
Ceanaire: Scolaire Tim Hanlon
Cumann Bhata Na Krasnodar Russia
Website: Coming soon
Ceanaire: Vitaliy Negoda
Cumann Bhata Lansing MI USA
Website: Coming soon
Ceanaire: Gary Byrne
Solo study is also encouraged. It is a slow road to travel but sometimes there is no option. For those of you interested in solo training under the guidelines set up by the Cumann Bhata, get in touch with the organization Director and he will do what he can to help you.
A word about terminology
While we are doing our best to use the proper Irish terms, I am sure that there are more than a few mistakes. If you happen to be familiar with the Irish language please feel free to let us know what mistakes you see.
Another point I would like to bring up is...just what we are doing is called. Firstly let me say that it is not called "bata" The stick is called a bata. It is just the term chosen that we in the Cumann Bhata refer to the main weapon we practice. It could have just as easily been the word "maide"(stick) that was chosen.
To say we practice 'bata" is akin to saying we practice the art of "Stick". We do however, say that we practice the art of "the bata". It would also be correct to say that you are practicing "Faicseanaíocht" or Faction Fighting. Of course you are not going to be in any Faction Fights...at least we hope not, but you are learning skills such as were learned in the days of the Faction Fights or at least our best guess at how they were done.
