Buno—literally “to throw” in Tagalog—is a close-quarters wrestling system created by the Aeta and Mangyan peoples long before colonial contact. Fusing battlefield pragmatism with ritual sport, it endures today as a pillar of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) and a testament to the archipelago’s warrior heritage.
Overview of Buno
Buno is characterized by explosive standing throws, limb-cranking joint locks, off-balancing sweeps, targeted strikes, takedowns, and a surprisingly sophisticated ground game. Unlike purely sport grappling, Buno assumes weapons may appear at any moment; practitioners learn to integrate knives, spears, and the four-foot lubid rope for binding, choking, and disarms.
Historical Roots
Indigenous Origins
- Aeta lineage: The nomadic Aeta, considered among the archipelago’s earliest inhabitants, used wrestling to hunt, feud, and survive the mountainous interiors of Luzon.
- Mangyan refinement: Mindoro’s Mangyan groups absorbed Aeta grappling, crystallizing it into stylized combat rites performed during feasts and head-hunting expeditions.
Warrior-Era Development (900–1898)
Pre-900 Proto-Buno wrestling for hunting & tribal warfare | No formal ranking
900-1500 Integration with blade culture; rope (lubid) added for restraints | Matches staged at harvest festivals
1500-1898 Spanish rule pushes art inland; guerrilla fighters retain | Buno for ambush tactics Allied with bolos & spears
20th-Century Revival
Grandmaster Felipe “Garimot” Baet (1918-2014) systematized Harimaw Buno (“Tiger Wrestling”) after studying with Hanunó’o Mangyan masters from 1946-1950. His son, Gat Puno Abundio Baet, later codified the curriculum inside Garimot Arnis, preserving the art for modern students.
Core Principles & Techniques
Grappling Arsenal
- Limb locks targeting elbows, shoulders, knees
- Off-balancing pushes, pulls, hip shifts, and sweeps (Agaw Patid Buno)
- Neck cranks, chokeholds, and head manipulation for rapid incapacitation
- Ground controls that favor quick disengagement to address multiple attackers13
Weapons Dimension
Lubid rope Whipping, tripping, choking, limb ties
Knife/BoloSlash-grab combos, disarms
Spear/BowHunting roots, range control
Unorthodox Training Methods
Mud wrestling - Balance under slip conditions
Log sparring on water - Footwork & core stability
Tamaraw (water-buffalo) clinch - Grip endurance
Tree climbing - Pulling power & agility
Variations & Related Styles
Harimaw Buno
A Mangyan/Aeta hybrid that emphasizes predator-like limb trapping before the throw; signature “bow-and-arrow” and “crossbow” locks showcased by Gat Puno Baet.
Modern Practice & Applications
- Included in police defensive-tactics modules for its standing control options.
- Integrated into FMA schools worldwide; Garimot Arnis, Elite Training Center, and guerreroarnis.com all feature Buno modules.
- Competition formats are being revived by the U.S. Harimaw Buno Federation to foster rules-based tournaments.
Cultural Significance
Buno’s rituals—pre-match chants, earth-pounding footwork, and warrior yells—mirror the ambahan poetry and gong rhythms of Mangyan ceremonies. Practitioners view the art not merely as combat but as a living archive of tribal identity, resilience, and respect for nature’s terrain.
Pillar Links & Further Exploration
- Filipino Martial Arts (Arnis, Eskrima, Kali)
- Aeta and Mangyan Ethnography
- Dumog Grappling
- Traditional Weapons of the Philippines
- Indigenous Sports Preservation Initiatives
Conclusion
Buno personifies the Philippines’ indigenous ingenuity: a wrestling art forged in forest mud yet adaptable to modern mats. Its blend of raw grappling, weapon awareness, and cultural ritual secures its place among the world’s most uniquely holistic martial systems.