Huka-huka
Huka-huka is a grappling art originating in Brazil. It is rooted in the wrestling traditions of the Xingu indigenous peoples of Brazil, and training centers on the standing and ground-based wrestling methods developed within that cultural context. As a grappling discipline, its focus is on controlling, off-balancing, and taking down an opponent through physical leverage and body mechanics rather than strikes or weapons.
Because huka-huka belongs to the grappling family of martial arts, training in this type of discipline generally emphasizes close-range physical engagement, balance, body positioning, and the development of strength and coordination suited to wrestling. Practitioners typically spend time drilling clinch work, takedowns, and related grappling fundamentals, along with the physical conditioning that supports sustained wrestling activity.
Anyone considering huka-huka as a practice is encouraged to locate schools or instructors offering instruction in this style and, where possible, observe a class before committing to training. Watching a session firsthand allows a prospective student to assess the teaching environment, the structure of the curriculum, and whether the approach suits their goals. Other grappling arts that may be of related interest are listed below.
Gear to expect. Grappling training typically calls for a gi or no-gi rashguard, and quality mats for home drilling — your school will tell you exactly what, and when. New students rarely need to buy anything for a trial class.
Find your martial art →Related grappling styles
Classification and facts from our open-data taxonomy (Wikidata CC0 base + our editorial classification). Where a fact (like origin) isn't recorded, we leave it out rather than guess. Methodology.