LEGENDS OF KUNG-FU #22 North vs. South Now while the title of this month's column may seem like I'm referring to the Civil War rather than kung-fu, rest assured. I always deliver. With the recent world events, I got a few e-mail queries about Chinese Muslims and their martial arts, so I thought it was about time that I explained a few things about regional variances in kung-fu styles throughout the Chinese territories. First, let me say that China is full of ethnic minorities, even though at first glance it may seem as if the Chinese people are ethnically homogenous. Some ethnicities are strongly centralized in certain regions, such as the Yi mountain people in southeast China, while others are relatively scattered throughout, such as the Hui Muslims or the Hakka people. You may even see such genetic differences in the western part of China to where you come across a naturally blonde haired man with slanted eyes. Each of these peoples has their own specific subculture, fitting into the greater Chinese popular culture. As a result of genetic, geographical, and cultural differences - such as language, religion, art, or philosophy - there are many different styles of combat that have arisen over time throughout China. The martial arts of northern China are probably the most well-known throughout the world, probably due to their proximity to the capital, Beijing. Geographically, northern China is known for wide-open plains and a relatively dry climate, compared to the south. Some historians and scholars claim that because of the greater stability of the terrain, the taller stature of the inhabitants, and the more widespread involvement with the government and military (which meant more time to devote to serious training), the martial arts of the north involved quite a bit more complicated maneuvering, such as higher jumping or spinning kicks, more intricate forms, extended open postures, and long stances. Prior to the Cultural Revolution of 1966 to 1976, traditional martial arts flourished in the northern part of China. The most famous institution of Chinese martial arts, Buddhism's northern Shaolin Temple, resided in Hebei Province. The Taoist Wutang school was also rooted firmly in the north. Other well-known styles of Chinese martial art were also born in that region. They include Tai-Chi Chuan, Shuai-Chiao (Chinese or Mongolian wrestling), Hsing-I Chuan, and Pa-Kua Chang. Following Mao Zedong's edict that "comrades should not fight each other", the development of the demonstration sport of modern wushu also took place in the north, centered mostly in Beijing. This exciting new hybrid of martial arts and gymnastics kept a symbol of pride accessible to the Chinese public, yet effectively removed the teeth from the snake. In the south, near Fukien and Canton, far from the capital and the palace, life had a different pace prior to the modern era. The economy was based heavily on agriculture, as the crops from the south were sent north to feed the bureaucrats. Hard working farmers did not have the luxury of spending hours on martial art training, so their systems were streamlined for a maximum of effect with a minimum amount of training time. The terrain was much different as well. Swampy rice paddies made footwork far more challenging, requiring stances that gave them maximum stability and mobility. Genetically, the average southerner is shorter, making the use of high kicks a bit less likely as well. Thus, most southern styles, such as the Hung family style (Hung Ga kung-fu), Wing Chun, Fukienese Five Ancestors' Fist, and Jow Ga praying mantis are far more bland in comparison to the ornate northern Shaolin forms. Yet their combat effectiveness cannot be denied. Fighting techniques tend to be more short range, not nearly as extended or intricate as their northern counterparts. To the west, the ethnic minorities of China hold greater sway, and the two most notable minorities in that area are the Tibetans and the Hui Muslims. The Tibetan styles of martial art are difficult to ascertain. Since the martial arts were mostly reserved for those who guarded the temples and the lamas, there is precious little factual knowledge about these techniques. Some claim that a style called "the lion's roar" was practiced in Tibet and passed on to southern China, where it became the Lama-pai style. Other systems which claim origin in Tibet also include Tung-Pei Chuan, which means "through the back" boxing. The long-arm movements of Tung-Pei were said to mimic the swinging arms of the semi-mythical Tibetan snow apes, thought by some to be the Yeti, or abominable snowman. The Hui Muslims have made the most outstanding contributions to Chinese martial arts. Their influence has been felt especially in the north with the Tan-tui "spring legs" style and Shuai-Chiao (as the late Chang Tung-sheng was a devout Muslim). One style especially attributed to them is Cha Chuan, or Cha boxing. The originator of the style was said to be a Muslim named Cha Mi Er, in Chinese, which may have been the sinicized pronunciation of "Jamil", a Muslim name. Cha Chuan's difficult routines also formed the basis for modern wushu, as the explosive and beautiful forms carried the distinctive trademark of Muslim physical culture
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