History

Constellation is a unity of three organizations (Fwape, Bartendaz and Adon) whom have come together to document, instruct and promote 52 Blocks in its fitness and combat forms. Currently we have operating factions around the world and we hope to expand further promoting America’s survivng martial culture.

52 Blocks, Fwape believes originates from Caribbean and Southern US (Gullah island) warrior traditions. History illustrates that after Reconstruction, the art form followed the African-American migration Northeast under different names and then into the margins of large urban centers. Urban prisons, because of their ethnic breakdown as well as their social code, actually provided a more fertile ground for the art to expand, especially in allowing novices to dedicate themselves to ongoing training intensively. It was between the prison system and closed urban communities that 52 evolved, fusing with popular urban dance and some modern boxing tactics. 52’s predominance in the criminal justice system also reveals why it has been so obscured from the martial arts world and the world at large- in fact, the only aspect of 52 blocks to trickle into the mainstream has been its hip-hop offshoot break-dancing, which enjoys wide global popularity, most nebulous of its origins. Ironically, at a time with an exploding influx of incoming prisoners, the only existing US-derived martial art is being inadvertently squelched because of the mass adoption of weaponry, changes in the punitive system and the length of training required. And, the surviving practitioners of 52 blocks, once released, face a wave of barriers to their success, particularly the negative stigma of previous offenses, as well as disproportionate health problems, ranging from post-traumatic stress to HIV.