Okay so i'm sure this question has been asked before, but i'm have problems finding the answer.

What is the difference between kali-eskrima and silat?

I have just started training in the FMas so I don't know alot about them.

Hi Starfighter. Kali and Escrima are Filipino arts that stress weapons training, primarily with sticks. Silat is a broad term that refers to martial arts of Indonesian descent, similar to how Kung Fu describes many different Chinese arts.

(didn't want to start a new thread)

What are the short swords/machetes called?

I seem to recall the word "barong" used years ago (I remember because "barong" is the traditional Filipino men's shirt). Is that correct?

Thanks

There is a barong which is a short sword. I don't know that I would refer to it as a machete.

Here are some pictures:
www.mantisswords.com/filipino_weapons.htm

The actual machete is usually referred to as a "bolo" ranging from 24” to 32" long, but can also be a generic term just meaning “sword,” any sword.

A sword which can be a little shorter is sometimes called a “barong” usually ranging from 22” to 28” long. As you can see the ranges overlap, this sometimes causes the terms to be interchangeable by non-Filipino people.

But… the terms are more regional or ethnic, than referring to long and short. The bolo is the popular term for the northern, Tagalog speaking people. The word “barong” in Tagalog is sometimes used to describe a fancy, embroidered shirt.

Now... amongst the southern Moro the word “barong” or “Moro Barong” refers to a short sword.

The word “Moro” is old Spanish referring to “Moors,” which was a term used to describe the non-Christian, or more specific, Muslim people that occupied parts of present day Spain, Portugal and Northwestern Africa. The term was then used by the Spanish to describe the southern native Filipinos who had Islam as their religion.