In Memoriam: Nantambu Camara Bomani Hanshi

Wednesday, December 19, 2018 by C. Michial Jones

A Global Pioneer of Jundokan Goju-Ryu

Nantambu Camara Bomani Hanshi was a transformative figure in the world of Okinawan Karate, serving as a vital bridge between the birthplace of Goju-Ryu and the continents of North America and Africa. His life’s work was defined by a profound dedication to the Jundokan and the teachings of Eiichi Miyazato Sensei.

Early Training and the Okinawan Connection

Mr. Bomani’s martial journey began in the 1960s. By 1968, his path led him to Okinawa, where he entered the Jundokan to train directly under the legendary Eiichi Miyazato Sensei. He remained a loyal and dedicated student of Miyazato Sensei for over three decades until the master’s passing in 1999. In the years that followed, Hanshi Bomani continued his growth and refinement under the guidance of Koshin Iha Sensei.

A Legacy Across Continents

Hanshi Bomani was not merely a practitioner; he was a visionary architect for the spread of Goju-Ryu. His influence spanned thousands of miles:

• The United States: In the early 1970s, he opened his first Jundokan dojo in Ithaca, New York. He was instrumental in the domestic growth of the style, founding numerous dojos across New York, Washington D.C., Kentucky, and Ohio. In 1971, he spearheaded the formation of the Okinawa Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai (OGKK) Jundokan USA and served as its inaugural president.
• Africa: Perhaps his most enduring legacy was the introduction of Jundokan Goju-Ryu to the African continent. In 1973, he established the first Goju-Ryu school in Dar es Salaam, naming it Tanzania Jundokan, and founded the Tanzania Okinawa Gojuryu Karate Association. He later expanded these efforts by founding the West Africa OGKK and Ghana Jundokan, many of which remain active today.

Honors and Succession

Throughout his career, Hanshi Bomani maintained an unwavering connection to Okinawa, traveling frequently to train and ensure the technical integrity of his branch dojos.

His technical prowess was recognized at the highest levels of the art. All of his grades through 8th Dan Kyoshi were awarded by Eiichi Miyazato Sensei, and his 9th Dan Hanshi was later issued by Koshin Iha Sensei.

In the United States, his senior student was Lloyd C. Johnson Sensei. Recognizing Johnson’s dedication and skill, Hanshi Bomani awarded him the highest grade he ever issued and appointed him President of his associations to carry the torch forward.

The Final Bow

In August 2009, the martial arts world lost a titan when Mr. Bomani passed away from a heart attack. In a fitting tribute to his global life, he was laid to rest in Accra, Ghana.

Hanshi Bomani was more than a high-ranking instructor; he was a pioneer who broke geographic and cultural barriers to share the OGKK methods with the world. He remains a profound role model, an inspiration to his many Yudansha on two continents, and a revered figure in the history of Okinawan Budo.