Lionel T. Nyamayaro

Interviewed by Aurelien Henry OBAMA

A true African Warrior in spirit

Shiai Magazine: welcome to new Shiai Magazine website my brother Lionel T. Nyamayaro, tell us about your life and what brought you in the

practices of martial arts?

Lionel T. Nyamayaro

Hello and thank you for having me. I got involved with the martial arts from an early age as my father is ex military and his family. We also come from a warrior tribe in the Zezuru clan in Zimbabwe. So from an early age i was acquianted with spears, short stick, shields, firearms and martial art code of ethics. From this as i got older naturally progressed and found myself gravitating to the Chinese traditional martial arts. I would like to believe my commitment and earnest and sincere approach has made my journey thus far in what i have learnt fruitful.

Shiai Magazine: Coming from Zimbabwe, Africa your ancestors were warrior, do you have some notion of the African warrior traditions?

Lionel T. Nyamayaro

Oh yes, very much so, I was fortunate as i met my great grandad and some of my family who came from the late 1800’s. So they still passed on and practised many of the old practises and as men of old passed this on to my fathers and male family. Very combat mindset orientated and the fact that my great grandad and his siblings had firearms but still practised old traditional warrior practises suggested to me that the warrior was not defined alone by his tools, but by his spirit aswell.

But we had in place warrior training and rituals as rights of passage in place. Hunting parties, male child responsibility and social time with the male elders where oral tradition was passed on. Although we was not always allowed an audience in some cases we was allowed to let experience to be our teacher. I remember one such case when i was 13 when i got handed a blade and got left the responsibility of killing a kid goat, skinning it and hanging it to bleed out. This would be one of many responsibilities left to your own devices. If you failed, then your journey would end.

Shiai Magazine: For you what is the particularity of practices of martial arts in Africa and in Europe?

Lionel T. Nyamayaro

Well i will firstly state that my outlook is limited but can give a view based on my LIMITED outlook as there are a lot of martial arts practised in Africa and here in Europe. So my view will be but a small outlook on a big ocean like topic. I have been fortunate to meet and train with practitioners from Africa here in Europe. And have visited many varying schools here in England. I find that the work ethic of practitioners in Africa is of the highest of order, even though their indepth understanding of a complex curriculum as their European counter part is lacking.

But that being said i find that the European counter parts look at martial arts as a business or as a school exam you have to pass to tick some boxes and attain their black belt. Which is a sad state of affairs as the traditional martial arts here in Europe now have people who are more dancers than fighters. In the sense that they know a string of movements and fancy techniques but do not have the same warrior spirit found in gungfu or bushido. They definately got a lot to share and learn from each other to further both their practises. The work ethic and use of straightforward and exacting technique meeting with a complex curriculum and an intellectual approach to combat. If these two are fused the ultimate martial artist is born. The likes of Alain Ngalani who i have a lot of respect for, he is a traditional martial artist turned to the sport side and still oozes the traditional aspect, power and indepth understanding of technique in how he executes it.

Shiai Magazine: You have practices various forms of martial arts, what makes somebody a good martial artist?

Lionel T. Nyamayaro

The beauty of martial arts is there is NO one set formula for the ultimate martial artist. But their certain virtues and ideals that help attain this, such as discipline, courage, humility, dedication and continual renewal of ones resolve to help better oneself and others around them.

Shiai Magazine: Do you think that Africans and Blacks in generals are talented in martial arts and sport combats?

Lionel T. Nyamayaro

Definately, but i dont think it is just limited to blacks and Africans i would like to note. But definately blacks and Africans have AN AMAZING aptitude towards combat arts from mma, boxing and traditional martial arts. From past greats such as Muhammed Ali, Mike Tyson, crossing over to K1 Ernesto Hoost and many others in the mma such as Rampage Jackson, Evans etc. So the proof of the pudding is in the eating and in all combat systems where we have been given an opportunity practise and compete we excel and stand up there with the greats.

Shiai Magazine: Do you have ambitions to bring your new knowledge in martial arts to Zimbabwe and Africa in general through organizing seminars, training courses etc?

Lionel T. Nyamayaro

Definitely, I have been very fortunate in my journey in what I have learnt and the people I have had the opportunity to meet. Constantly allowing me to dig into my warrior spirit and African heritage to fuel on.

Shiai Magazine: Today many people in African and African Diaspora community are now interested in the revalorization of African traditional and modern of fighting systems. Why the interest? Today you think that true African martial arts can be codified although our ancestors never called it martial arts?

Lionel T. Nyamayaro

Well, it’s a sense of belonging and yes the interest is there due to what we experience in the journey. A lot of exposure is given to Oriental combat systems, western in the form of wrestling and pugilism. The only answer we have is in the form of Capoeira in two forms Angola and regional which are supposed to have roots in Africa. Can they be codified? YES based more around the weapons as a large part of southern Africa coming up to the East part of Africa share the same weapons. Their still made today more so for tourism and displays. A lot of stuff is hidden in dances as we have seen with the Zulu, Masai warriors and other traditional clans. If it is looked upon closely they share similar style weapons in the forms of animal skin shields, metal spears, staffs made of iron wood. Now from my study of Chinese martial arts and the opportunity to learn and cross train with Indonesian arts, Indian arts, Chineses and Japanese arts you learn with certain weapons there is ONLY so many movements and techniques that can be used with set weapons for realistic combat. So if these peoples from various clans who are aqcuianted with them could bring this together and keep traditions alive.

Shiai Magazine: Many Africans and Diaspora filmmakers want to promote African martial arts film actors including African Martial arts movies with films like Money Bag, Lost Brother (Cameroon), The Way (USA) or The Tribe? Do you think that more people will be interested in African martial arts movies?

Lionel T. Nyamayaro

If it is packaged and delivered of a high standard just like the boom in the Bollywood and Nollywood industries yes it will be successful like the Shaw brother movies and we also currently see the rise of Thailand movies and rise of film start Tony Jaa.

Shiai Magazine: What advice can you give to African child who wants to succeed in life although African child faces many problems?

Lionel T. Nyamayaro

Well, I am a religious man and also grounded by my family and my martial arts. I would say that is a great formula to face adversity and succeed. Have faith and believe , have loved ones or people you can depend on as a support structure ( taking into account not all of us have our parents or family to fall back on.) and finding a passion and something to live for and aim to achieve. This allows to survive the coldest and loneliest of places.

Shiai Magazine: What do you think of this online African Martial arts magazine? Do you think that African initiatives should be supported and helped financially?

Lionel T. Nyamayaro

Definitely, I think it is a great idea as this shows that we can branch out . We as a whole need to break the old myth of all of us can only succeed as Doctors, nurses, teachers or in IT. We have been blessed in Africa with MANY talents and it is a crime to forget or not to fully express your God given talent. I think this is the greatest crime to sit on your talents and give excuses , some situations yes but every dog has its day and its up to us to maximize our chances and make something from our gifts. THIS magazine allows a platform for us who dream and work hard and hopefully inspire others to take risks and follow their heart in what ever field their in. This is what warriors do inspire and give hope and courage in the darkest of places.

Shiai Magazine: Do you have any projects you will like to talk about?

Lionel T. Nyamayaro

I maybe in a movie and some other projects teaching self defense in youth centres. Also I have had the opportunity to train with foremost leading practitioners so hopefully watch this space God willing I will continue to put in the work and my works will speak for themselves.

Shiai Magazine: Any last words brother?

Lionel T. Nyamayaro

No thank you for this opportunity and hope we can do a follow up interview and I would have made some changes and gone forward in this walk of life. Thank you and kind regards to all Shiai Magazine followers.

Shiai Magazine: Thank you brother for accepting our interview, we hope you will visit us in Cameroon “Africa in miniature”, God bless your entire family!