There probably is not the origin of a whip. In any publication in German or English, which I have read, there are useful hints. Instead, there are many places where it has been proven that whips were made with the development of man. In ancient Egypt, they were considered a status symbol and can be found on pictures of the rulers again. Known regions for the development of whips were Mongolia, Australia, Orient, Alaska, Roman Empire, to name but a few more well-known examples.

In all the world's cultures whips were initially used to guard herd animals. Therefore, there are solid-body whips as rod and whip with flexible part. We want to limit ourselves to the origin of the bullwhip, as it is the origin of our whip. As the name suggests, the whip was designed to guide the bull. With the lead bull following the herd, it made the most sense to drive the bull in the desired direction to steer the herd. The shepherds took advantage of the fact that herd animals avoid loud noises and move away from them. So a whip was popped by the bull on the opposite side he was supposed to move into. Bullwhips were therefore not intended to hit or injure animals. That would have lowered their sales value, so completely illogical.

But whips of this kind were used with the emergence of the class societies, at the latest slavery to the drive and to the punishment of humans. Whip means beating in the origin of the word. This has unfortunately been done on all continents for the exercise of power as well. In seafaring, the whip also played a very negative role. Especially in the British Navy until very recently. The whip was also used for hunting before the time of the firearms. With whips you could rush and kill animals.

On the American continent came the whip by the Spaniards. To North and South America alike. In North America, it has become particularly known by the cowboys and still plays a role today. Traditional competitions ensure the preservation of the handling of the whip. This is mainly about the herding of cattle and the banging itself. The whip reaches in the top up to twice the speed of sound.

Our whip is a filipin whip and optimized for this purpose. You can beat, thrust, choke with it. This weapon has been around for about 1500 years. Since she was an everyday object as everywhere, you could train inconspicuously with her. She was integrated into Doce Pares. Typically for Doce Pares, the whip is also combined with other weapons, especially the knife. Escrima techniques have been adapted to the specificity of the whip. The Filippin Fighting Whip is a very inconspicuous but very effective weapon in the long and near distance. Defending against it requires combat experience.

Tibetan Wave Chinese Kung fu training-Northern & Southern, Tai Chi, Qigong, meditation, Eskrima/Eskrido (Cacoy Doce Pares World Federation) has had profound influence on the quality of my whip work. Tibetan Wave Style manipulates the whip with subtlety of grace and power - hard to describe. You just have to witness it. These applications are visible manifestation of what is known as Chi energy - somewhat rare in the whip world.

What are the Tibetan Wave technical aspects ? Some of the principles involved are yin/yang, playfulness, and interweaving the human spirit with the whip. There is the blending of the whip's motion, the human body, and the movements of the free hand. Fellow whip practitioners should explore the softness of the fall and the motion of the thong. Study the entry and exit of the fall and take full advantage of the acceleration/deceleration of the thong. Be aware of your body's position in order to dance with the whip's motions. Appreciate the fluidness and interconnection of the whip and you. The whip is alive; just as you are alive. Let the whip possess you, let it be creative, and " let your inner child come out and PLAY. "

The beginning

Earlier before, I really got into working with the whip, I bought a swivel cowhide 8 foot whip. I hate it. Didn't like the feel it at all. I just couldn't make it move in the direction I want it to nor crack it (a snap sound). So, I gave up and just hung it up on my wall at my Gung fu school. SGM Cacoy Cañete held his Doce Pares seminar at my school. It was at this time I met Tom who was a member of Doce Pares and knew a lot whips. He noticed the whip hanging on my wall. You do Whips ? No, I hate it. Can't make it crack. This whip sucks. Try mine. I took a similar whip and modified it to a shorter length. I named it "Frankenwhip". A 4 foot cut down version whip. So, Tom showed me 3 whip movements and hand it to me. You try. You can borrow it and practice those 3 moves and I'll visit you within 3 month. I practice and practice. Love the length. The more I played with it, the more I began bond with the whip's movements. It was like a dance. Also, I began to use me left hand with the whip movements. Letting the belly of the whip to drape over my left open palm. It seems a natural thing to do. Tom visited me again as he promised. Show me what you got. So, I began moving the whip as I have been practicing. Tom just watched in silence. When I finished, He just looked at me. I never seen anyone do what you just did and especially using your left hand. Tom been playing with a whip since he was 5, over 34 years hands on. In 1999, he promoted me to Maestro and named my style as Tibetan Wave. And that was the beginning. Since then, there has been a big leap forward developing an organized Tibetan Wave system. A program that includes 24 whip movements, foot work in concert with these movements. There are 6 Promotion Levels and leading into Instructorship if wished. Tibetan Wave Filipino Fighting Whip Group (TWFFWG) is the official name. Rope Whip Grand Master Momoy Cañete, older brother of Cacoy, made his own rope whip. It has been said that he learned rope braiding from a local sailor. He designed and braided a 8 foot whip. It was quite heavy. At the end of the whip a loop which is attached to a wooden handle. There exist a groove, allowing the whip to swivel. Also, you can separate the whip from the handle. Thus, you have a whip and wooden handle in each hand - short and long defensive options. I've observed the execution by some practitioner using this rope whip. There are only a few moves that are done, 2 to 3 moves. Momoy's Whip techniques were primarily throws and pulled back just prior to the impact.

Nylons Whip vs. Kangaroo Leather Whip - meeting Bobbi HolyOak

I first met Bobbi when I conducted my first ever seminar in Moab, Utah. It was my first debut of my Tibetan Wave system. I was a heavy advocate using Kangaroo Leather Whips, especially made by Peter Jack and Joe Strain - considered as Top Whip Makers. After my seminar, Bobbi approached me. She would like to make Nylon Whips and would appreciated if I would critically review and assess her workmanship, in this case, work-womanship. Make me 5 Nylon Whips and send them to me. I'll get together with Tom and we'll analyze and review them. We did and we were impressed. Now, make 5 more to the Tibetan Wave Specifications. She did and we were more impressed. That was the beginning of our close friendship and allowing Bobbi to be a stay at home mom , caring for daughter and be able to work from home. Her outstanding craftwomanship was based on her creativity and skillful hands. I guess being a beautician and love to braid hair, seems to provide extraordinary skills making Whips. Bobbi's Nylon Whips are wonderful made and I find they equally responsive than my Kangaroo leather Whips. In fact, I find her Whips are more responsive. Visit her website: holyoak-whips.com Reference Tibetan Wave Whips Within two years, she became one of the top Nylon Whip Maker.

Meeting Anthony Delongis.

Anthony is a professional actor, fight choreographer and weapon specialist. His style is fluid and has developed effective approach teaching to his method to movie actors with utmost efficiency and skill as well safety. My first meeting with Anthony and Mary, his beautiful wife. I received a phone call from Anthony wanting to meet me. I declined. I don't go anywhere without my Master Tom. Several weeks past. Tom called me. We got invited to visit and stay at Anthony's with his lovely wife, Mary. Driving my car. Picking up Tom along the way. He bought me a Billy Bob fake teeth to wear when we meet and greet Anthony and Mary. We arrived at their Ranch Style home. Of course located on a hilltop with a beautiful view. Put on my fake teeth. Hard to speak with it on. Anthony greeted me. Tom introduced me. Master Lew doesn't speak English very well. Anthony: How ..... are .... you ... Master ... Lew ? ... hm' ... Good .... Mary asked: would ... you ... like ... Tea ? .... ya ....ya ... Then I removed my fake teeth. " Tom, I can't speak with these on "! We all laughed. Great joke on them. We were well treated during our stay. But it was payback time the next day. Anthony's daily duties, he has several horses to feed. You guessed it. I was chosen to clean up all the horse poo. Lots of them.