Knocking and kicking

Knocking and kicking (or yuna onse[1]) is a little-known traditional African-American dance-like martial art, arguably practiced clandestinely in parts of the Southern US and on the Sea Islands.

[4] He finds that knocking and kicking, ladjia and capoeira have the most similar techniques within African diaspora, probably derived from Bantu martial art engolo.

[6] The world didn't know about it, but they brought [knocking and kicking] from Africa and disguised it in the context of religion to cover it up, to keep the white man from getting at it.

[8] Following the abolition of slavery, this martial art continued to be a secret cultural practice, frequently showcased in public contests and local intra-village competitions.

[9] Elders from Lady's Island, South Carolina, vividly recall "Heavy Dick" Miller, a feared kicker who won most of his fights with his exceptional high and inverted kicks.

[10] In recent years, there has been a renewed effort to document and revive knocking and kicking as part of African-American cultural heritage.

"[3] The fact that the art involved physical inversions, hints its potential role in the past as a means to access spiritual power from across the kalunga within the Old Time Religion.

A Negro fight in South America , 1874.
The Sabbath among slaves (detail)