First, a factual analogy: “If by the word algebra we mean that branch of mathematics by which we learn how to solve the equation x2+5x=14, written in this way, the science begins in the 17th century. If we allow the equation to be written with other and less convenient symbols, it may be considered as beginning at least as early as the 3rd century. If we permit it to be stated in words and solved, for simple cases of positive roots, by the aid of geometric figures, the science was known to Euclid and others of the Alexandrian school as early as 300 B.C. If we permit of more or less scientific guessing in achieving a solution, algebra may be said to have been known nearly 2000 years B.C., and it had probably attracted the attention of the intellectual class much earlier… The name ‘algebra’ is quite fortuitous. When Mohammed ibn Músá al-Khowarizmí … wrote in Baghdad (c. 825) he gave to one of his works the name Al-jebr w’al-muqábalah. The title is sometimes translated as ‘restoration and equation,’ but the meaning was not clear even to the later Arab writers.” 1
The moral to the story is that martial arts, like mathematics or any other art and science is built on other previously done hard works, accomplished by others warriors of the past from various cultures and ethnic groups . If we continue to travel backward to prehistoric times, we would eventually land in an age where we really don't have any clear written history of how, what we call self-defense in modern times might have looked like in extremely ancient eras. It appears that knowledge in general have incubated itself for a time among a certain group of people, and then, either voluntarily or by forces of war it was transmitted to another culture or group of people and then incubated in the region for a while and then again it was developed, changed, and transmitted over and over and again.
One thing clear is that at each incubation period, certain necessary modifications within the structure of that martial arts knowledge occurred which changed its outward form but not its essence necessarily. Therefore [any] form of martial arts system, including JKD, must trace its history to not just back few decades ago, but all the way to its ancient mother roots----depending on which acquisition of knowledge we are referring too. For example, if by boxing we mean having light feet and striking with jab, cross, hook ....... then the art and sport of boxing is pretty recent, but if by boxing we mean just having your hands up and striking with your fists, then ancients Greeks and Persians were already doing it. The story is the same with grappling or any other aspect of martial arts.
In short the originality of an art cannot be fully boxed in one culture and one people [in the context of its essence], because knowledge and experience are always cumulative and evolutionary in nature and never absolute. They are relative and always based on their previous contents where they sprung from. This is why respecting useful traditions of the past is the hallmark of a wise and just man; and at the same time, recognizing the necessity of change and adaptability is also the cornerstone of a healthy martial arts science and philosophy. They both are necessary and are critical for a balanced martial artist. If one ONLY sticks to traditions, then this individual would slowly deaden himself and his art. On the other hand, if one persists on throwing away all traditions and only thinks about modern things, then such an individual would simply become more and more superficial in his or her views and would quickly become dispirited and impatient in his training, because there is no spirit, deep within his or her core to connect them with both ancient roots AND modern exigencies------This seamless conjunction is absolutely necessary in order to provide the individual with meaningful purpose in his or her martial arts training and life in general. You have to have both. One without the other will not provide us with optimal results, and does not contribute well into the 21st century life.
History of martial arts is as old as humanity itself. At the moment there are many branches of martial arts systems, but deep within their roots, they all go back to one single human family that have evolved on the planet through many tests, trials, and traumas. Let's stay unified and open-minded.
Thank you.
SHAHRAM MOOSAVI
Source:
1) Abdul-Baha ((The Secret of Divine Civilization, P. 31) Encyclopedia Britannica, 1952, s.v. Algebra.)