Datu??

[Blotan Hunka]

I see that title and still dont know what it means.

I know what it means in Fillipino. What does it mean in MA?

[Bob Hubbard]

Short answer: Chieftan, Head of Tribe.
Under Modern Arnis, GM Remy Presas picked 6 individuals and gave them the title.

This is an edited version of one of Tim Hartmans posts on MartialTalk

Datu
Chieftain, Leader, or Warlord are the ways that it has been decribed to me in the Filipino culture. I have talked to several Masters & Grandmasters of Filipino heritage. It has also been referred to as a Spiritual Leader. Any one you chose, it has a significant meaning in their culture.

Who are the Datus in Modern Arnis?
Shishiar Inacallo-Canada
Kelly Worden-USA
Ric Jornales-USA
David Hoffman-USA currently UK
Dieter Knuttel-Germany
Tim Hartman (myself)-USA

...

Datus in Modern Arnis
As Remy decribed to me on several occasions, Datu is a leadership title in the original IMAF. One of the main reasons that Remy bestowed the title on me was the fact that I chose to lead by example. When it came time to get promoted I would insist on testing in front of everyone. I was not afraid of being seen by our community. I thought, and still do think, that too much rank was given out for political reasons and not for technical ones. In 1999 Remy offered my the title. I turned it down because, at that time, I didn't feel that I was ready for it. The following year I was offered it again and accepted it. Talking to many of the East Coast Modern Arnis people, they feel that only one title supercedes Datu and that was Grandmaster.

Datu vs Rank
The title is separate from rank. When I was first offered it, I was only a fifth. Remy thought that leadership ability had nothing to do with what they wear on their waist. This is why I was put in charge of the Can-Am charpter of the IMAF while he was alive. At the time, there were several active memebers who out ranked me but he still chose to put me in charge of that and several other projects of his. The same went for Punong-Guro; rank was separate from that also. It means teacher of teachers. I was also the only one in the IMAF that I know of that Remy bestowed that title on.

See also:
http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12836&highlight=datu
http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?&threadid=497&highlight=datu

[Blotan Hunka]

OK. That stuff sounds like a lot of boasting.

So being a datu does not mean you are a better fighter just a better leader?

What exactly is a leader in the martial arts?

I dont think teachers are always leaders.

[Sheldon Bedell]

In the case being discussed I dont think it matters if you or I or the guy down the street feels those mentioned above are good teachers or not Remy pick those people and gave the title and posistion.
As said befor it means one who is to be a leader or Chieftan and that is what GM Presas saw these people as