Mzee Kambui, Abstract World Media
08/22/2026
Philadelphia Pennsylvania; In 1973 a new school of martial arts was formed by Mwalimu Alwanzo, Vita Saana which means (healthy life) is an African martial arts school based in Philadelphia Pa, was. Founded by Alwanzo and a few others in 1973, it was during the troublesome times of the early 70s with open racism, racial profiling and police brutality at an all-time high, the school was formed to train people in the Philadelphia urban communities in African martial arts the (Art of Dirty Combat).
Allen Boyd also known as Munch, is a current long-time student of Vita Saana, Boyd who is working on a documentary about the school gave us some insight on what Vita Saana is all about as well as explaining, what is the Ther Art of Dirty Combat
“One thing about Dirty Combat, Alwanzo would teach it to lower-level students”
Allen Boyd explains in the opening of the trailer about his mentor and former Mwalimu (Instructor) and the reasons for why it was necessary for students to prepare for dirty combat, a style of martial arts that prepared the person for any kind of (self-defense) situation they would have to deal with in the dangerous streets of Philadelphia.
The 1973 was a chaotic time in America with the war in Vietnam winding down, and the black communities dealing with racism all around the country including the constant police brutality on citizens, sparked various movements such as the Black Panther Party, and MOVE whose members were constantly harassed and jailed by the Philadelphia police department following a standoff in 1978 which resulted in the deaths of a toddler and a Philadelphia police officer sparking outrage in the community.
“Dirty combat was a ready combat technique, used to prepare you for any situation anywhere” Boyd reminisces on his training with Mwalimu Alwanzo, as we travel to a yearly martial arts event called “Kung Pao” a ceremony where martial artist from surrounding schools come together and celebrate every year with food, drinks, and demonstrations.
Vita Saana has been a legacy in the Philadelphia community for over 45 years, the current head Mwalimu, Jamal still trains students in the technique of Dirty Combat which comprise of various different styles of martial arts including a less known style created in Africa over 2000 years ago and adapted by Chinese and Japanese cultures later down the timeline.
Anthony Dwight Lingo, is the head instructor (Hanshi) for the New Jersey Black Belt Association, A professional Martial Arts Instructor, specializing in teaching the Arts of karate known as Nisei Goju Ryu Karate Do; a modern version of To-Te Jitsu & Okinawan Naha Te (DI) mixed with the Urban Goju version of American/Japanese traditional Philosophical Karate training (Shaolin Ryu), who began his Martial Art training in 1963 at Seabrooks New Jersey.
“I have been A HANSHI since April 29th, 2012, a very short period of time”, Mr. Lingo stated humbly during the beginning of our interview at the Kung Pao event myself and Allen Boyd attended. Hanshi Lingo gave a weapons demonstration during the event, while highlighting different techniques and identifying threats used in self-defense.
‘During the years I have watched many students grow into great self-defense professionals that have gone into many different professional backgrounds”
NJBBA Lingo is also well-known for his Self Defense Conferences and Seminars traveling extensively teaching an acclaimed innovative and dynamic Universal Self-defense Program entitled, “When to Walk Away, When to Run, and When to Stay and Fight.” Hanshi Lingo also was the first Black Belt Certified by the FBI to teach Police training in both police baton weapons training, and empty hand non-forceful, crowd control self-defense tactics in Southern New Jersey (1974).
References
DIRTYCOMBAT/Vita Saana Trailer
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