This is the first book to explore martial arts and combat sports in Latin societies. Covering well-known and rarely studied forms of fighting systems, it considers how the schools of thought, organisation, and stylistics of martial arts can shine new light on the culture, history, and social issues of Latin countries and postcolonial societies.

Featuring the work of leading international martial arts scholars from around the world – some of whom are experienced practitioners, some apprentices, and some cultural critics of the martial arts – the book adopts a multidisciplinary approach, including anthropology, cultural and media studies, history, physical education, and sociology. It includes fascinating and in-depth case studies of topics as diverse as Capoeira and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, martial arts in urban Argentina, traditional wrestling forms from the Amazon region and Spain, boxe popolare in Italy, armed combat in the Philippines, and women’s wrestling in Spain.

This book is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in the sociology, history, culture or politics of sport, exercise, or physical culture as well as Latin American, European, or Asian studies or any of the diverse and broad traditions of martial arts.