Bob,
The art of Kali is much deeper than just sticks, for those who are into it.
http://www.exoticindiaart.com/kali.htm
Some consider it part of the Arnis, Eskrima world, as Dan Inosanto teachs.
I can recall on another forum, one started talking, Kali, as he feels it is, from Kali. After being attacked by a few, from England he left the forum.
I have looked into it some, but we are a christian society and to mention much about the thinking from India is to provoke a lot of scorn.
I have mentioned being Agnostic, so I study pretty much what I want, and have no problem with it. Many (as you have mentioned) in christian thinking are very narrow minded about religions. Most countries that one has wars with, is/are over religion, I have noticed.
National Geographic has a great book about Myths from the ancients, (I have it), funny I was reading it of late, along with the tribes of Israel. Mentions them also along with Abraham and others.
Ones God is anothers Myth, it seems.
Take the Punjabs, very war like in their thinking, allowed to immigrate into a christian world, and still keep their values with them, very fortunate to have a location like America, for the world.
It has caused much difficulty though!!! It is interesting reading the link I put up in earlier post, especially when you read as much as I have about the arts.
The one you have chosen of late, is in an evolution of sorts, truly shows how strong the mind is, and not always rational.
A link,
http://hinduism.about.com/od/hindugoddesses/a/makali.htm
So... In the art of sticks and swords and knives in PI north and south, one is very catholic the other is muslim, and also into the art of Kali.
The book, Pencak Silat, author Pendekar Herman Sudwanda, (of West Java) is an interesting read, The part, chapter 13, the 25 styles of Mande Muda, a lot of pictures..
Observing them, is to see "similarity" and that is why you can tell with the eye only, that the art of Kenpo has made its way, into many places.
Regards,
Gary
Edit...added links.
