an official event
for the best way to test your silat skill
against other fighting style
UFC
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=GhN1YLFS4qA

straight forward simple and brutal.





btw this is merpati putih - kopassus demonstration


http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=1M6TDyXP55s

Now that you've mentioned it, there was actually plenty in the 80's. I was a fight-movie freak, n Indo fight movies made a change from the normal Chinese n American flicks that ya get to see.

The standard wasn't the same, of course. But still, ya could pick out a few outstanding fight actors.

For me, I thought the best of the lot was Barry Prima. There were also others like Advent Bangun, Benny Rahardja, George Rudy n Joseph Hungan.

But Barry stood out more, maybe partly cos he always played the leading good guy. But he could move real fast, n he was also extremely athletic. Plus I think he might also have had some background in gymnastics. Sort of an 80s Indonesian version of Jean-Claude Van Damme.

As a matter of fact, I often wondered why no international movie producer ever thought of considering him for some sort of international, or at least Asian-level fight movie.

BTW, virtually all those 80s Indo silat movies showed fight factors, Barry Prima included, who obviously looked like they had a good grounding in either Karate or Tae Kwon Do.

Pencak Silat is pretty much a embedded within the culture of Betawi people, Jakarta



I took this picture prior to Betawi wedding ceremony near my house. This Pencak Silat demonstration was called "Palang Pintu" ceremony, while Betawi people called silat: "Maen Pukul". Quite fascinating fighting show. looks like lenong traditional play presented with silat action

The story is: the groom will visit his fiancee (bride to be) to get married accompanied by his Pendekar/silat champ (in white shirt), but when the groom and his family entered the brides neighborhood, the local champ/jawara functioned as palang pintu (lit: door lock bar) being bribed by Kompeni (VOC) officer tried to ruins the planned wedding, because the Kompeni officer also in love with the bride. So the fight begin between the local champ/jawara (thug more likely/preman, wearing black) against the grooms men, righteous silat warrior (yaaay...). Of course the drama and action ended with the triumph of grooms silat warrior/pendekar, and the groom finally married the bride.... Fascinating tradition isn't it...?

is there any merpati putih branch in Singapore ?

I got an idea. How about we have a movie starring Barry Prima n Jean-Claude van Damme? They could play protagonists (good guy vs bad guy), mentor & protege (guru & murid), long-lost half-brothers, partners in alliance, or whatever. Would be just great, wouldn't it?

Hey Dreamhunter,

Thanks for the names! A whole new world opens when I type some names in youtube. Awesome stuff!

I'm more interesting in hearing people's experiences with trance in silat.

YW. Hope you got some Barry Prima stuff. He's brill. Yoseph Hungan was quite a graceful mover too, although he played mainly bad guys, some of them against Barry.

I was struggling to recall this one name last time: Johan Saimima. Try also Teddy Purba n Willy Dozan.

I saw Willy in an 80s Indonesian-Malaysian JV movie called "Pernikahan Berdarah", where he fought a supernatural opponent, a djinn or something like that. He's quite fast as well.

There're still a couple or so of shops n Kuala Lumpur, in the Jalan Chow Kit area, owned by Indonesians, where you could get CDs of old movies starring all those guys I've mentioned. Sometimes I go there just to browse thru them.

Hwahaha, this is prehistoric! But people say you could still see Barry's existence in Bandung.

Well, we just wanna watch n enjoy their skills, Bhasky. N maybe learn some good moves. Doesn't matter if they're ancient or new.

Anyway, I ain't seen anyone from the 90s or 2000s with the skills to seriously rival those guys from the mid to late 80s. Maybe that time was a watershed of sorts.

Or maybe folks just got bored with fight movies n shifted to other things.

yeap- he's a friend of my uncle there. He is the son of the famous doctor Knoch in Dago. Of course, Barry's original name is Bertus Knoch- one of the Indos (Dutch-Indonesian) families who remained in Bandung rather than mass migrate to Holland in the '50s.

Wow! Thank you for your explanation. There were not many Indos who chose to stay in Indonesia after our independence. Is it true that he has an old colonial house in Ranggamalela/Sulanjana area?

I'm not sure if he has, but his father's house (masih hidup gak ya?) is in that area across from Aquarius (deket bunderan yg ada pohon beringin)..now is that Jl. Sulanjana?

You're very welcome
Yes, i am a silat practitioner. I do silat Betawi style.
Like this one..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oFp4_mT8I0

Silat dari Negara Brunei by Guru Maul, very usefull
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=R47XXT2tIbM&...feature=related

Silat demonstration with keris dari Negara Malaysia, good speed and reflex
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=QQduCg2gbzY

He married Eva Arnaz at one time, didn't he? What a guy. I's always crazy about Eva. Didn't that make me so jealous that time then.

it's a ceremonial dance.

No, it's not a ceremonial dance. They are performing Pencak Silat skills in public.

This is a ceremonial dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz1qmLdAg0Q


Demonstration of various techniques from Pencak Silat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x080nNZ3Ffk

Last night I watched this show on Discovery channel, the name of the show was "Fight Quest" if I'm not mistaken, where they go around the world to learn various kinds of martial arts. The episode that I watched was when they visit West Java to learn Pencak Silat. Cool!

I watched that one too, the one where they went to China to learn Shaolin Kung Fu. That was some weeks back.

I's quite dissapointed, actually. I expected them to be top-of-the-line martial artists, but they weren't. They could barely keep up with the training regimen of the locals.

N when it came time for the free-sparring, they were way, way below the standard of the local guys in terms of technical proficiency.

Actually one of them was a rookie. The older one was was just slightly more experienced.

Can't fault them for effort though.

Indonesian ad featuring Indonesian Pencak Silat

Bentoel Biru

I actually thought that it's better that way, Awang. It's easier to relate because they are not really experts.

I heard that every island in Indonesia (maybe shouldn't take this too literally) has their own style of pencak silat.

There are more than 800 Pencak Silat schools and styles spread across more than 13,000 islands.
The richness of a wide diversity in styles and techniques across the regions due to the fact that pencak silat has been developed by different masters who have created their own style according to their preferences and to the physical environment and social-cultural context in which they live.

By : O'ong Maryono
www.kpsnusantara.com
Rapid Journal, Vol 4, No. 2 (Book 12, 1999: 38 – 39)
http://silatindonesia.com/en/2007/12/penca...an-archipelago/




Some Pencak Silat Styles in Indonesia

Minangkabau (West Sumatra)
- Silat Bungo
- Silat Sterlak
- Silat Kumango
- Silat Pauh
- Silat Lintau
- Silat Harimau
- Silat Sabandar

Betawi
- Silat Cingkrik
- Silat Beksi
- Silat Silau Macan
- Silat Sabeni
- Silat Tiga Berantai
- Silat Gerak Saka
- Silat Paseban
- Silat Si Kilat
- Silat Kancing 7 Bintang 12 Naga berenang (Kera Sakti / Si Bunder / Naga Ngerem )
- Silat Gombel

Jawa Barat
- Silat Cimande
- Silat Cikalong
- Silat Serak
- Silat Depokan
- Silat Padjajaran Nasional

Jawa Tengah
- Silat Perpi Harimurti
- Silat PPS Beladiri Tangan Kosong Merpati Putih
- Tapak Suci
- Pusaka Sakti Mataram Lakutama

Jawa Timur dan Madura
- Silat Bawean

Kalimantan
- Bersilat

Bali
-Silat Bakti Negara
- Silat Kerta Wisesa
- Silat Seruling Dewata
- Silat Sitembak
- Silat Gobleg

http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pencak_silat#...an_di_Indonesia

Pencak Silat Minangkabau










http://m-tsyganov.livejournal.com/47486.html#cutid1

Pencak Silat Minangkabau ( Silat Harimau Style)

Jurus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSK1x9S8hWI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns58aAS0FaA

Langkah (Steps), pasangan ( standing positions) and application of jurus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O0aRCyT2Ak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps9ZtMmav8k

Nice trick how to block a kick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO2A_OiDyRM

Pencak Silat Betawi

Beksi Style - PPSB (Perguruan Pencak Silat Beksi Kreo Selatan)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuaV0pS9CGc

Heey.. vo1d dude.... you're really into Pencak Silat.....
Good link you provide here....


Do you practicing silat..?

Pencak Silat Bali


In Bali Silat has some unique differences to other forms practiced throughout South East Asia. Bali has a 94% Hindu population whereas in the rest of Indonesia Islam is the majority. It is in this context that Silat in Bali has its distinct look and philosophy.

History
Originally imported from Java the forms and philosophies of Silat in Bali are intertwined with the distinct Balinese culture. In Bali there are two organizations which represent the Silat family; Bakti Negara and Kertha Wisesa. There are also national Indonesian styles that appeal mostly to non-Balinese (pendatang), like Perisai Diri and Satria Muda Indonesia (the style created by the endeavor of Prabowo Subianto).

Traditional Costume
Masters of Bali Silat wear loose black pants and a black tunic as with many martial arts, but when combined with the ceremonial Balinese head dress and traditional sarong; the effect is a unique and spectacular fighting costume.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali_silat



Sitembak Style

To prevent the Silat Style from going extinct, the pendekars a long time ago had to adapt it into art (seni Tengklung). But nowadays this art face the same problem...it will eventually fade away

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX2h9QJll9w



Bakti Negara Style

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5pUyIqsYGI


Satria Muda Indonesia Style

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e...onesia_Bali.jpg

Satriamuda Indonesia department in Netherland
(Pencak Silat festival in Hoofddorp)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQKGuIwmS_o



Perisai Diri Bali Style

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyIxTY1ZZqA...feature=related

Hallo Majapahitans
Thanks, yeah i love Pencak Silat and i sometimes practice it

Did you mean this Episode?

Discov. Channel's Fight Quest episode featuring Indonesia's Pencak Silat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXbU4-FeXmE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpCMpPB71pg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_e4UOF1-_A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFwiyFct39g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N221xmViLCA

They trained just for 5 days, but they were good and quick learners.
Hormat!

Yeah I've watch it too in TV....

The "Padepokan" building is awesome, rendered in Indonesian traditional building. Where was it been shooted...? Bandung...?

Yep, this episode was filmed in Bandung.
I guess it's one of the Mande Muda's Padepokans, which are owned by Suwanda's Family.
The best one is located in Kampungdago, Suntenjaya, Lembang, West Java. It's called the Padepokan Pencak Silat Suwanda Academy. It is the best padepokan next to the IPSI Padepokan in Jakarta.

http://www.suwandaacademy.com/history.html

Padepokan Pencak Silat

Padepokan is a Javanese terminology which means a complex of houses on a large area provided for learning and teaching about a certain knowledge and skill. A padepokan provided for learning and teaching Pencak Silat is called Padepokan Pencak Silat.


Some Padepokans Pencak Silat In Indonesia

-Padepokan Pencak Silat Indonesia IPSI (Jakarta)

Padepokan Pencak Silat Indonesia was up-built for more large functions and missions then the traditional padepokan. Its up-building on the area of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (The Miniature Park of Beautiful Indonesia) was sponsored by three Pencak Silat lovers, that is Mr. Bambang Trihatmodjo, Mr. Rosano Barack and Mr. Prabowo Subianto. The up-building began from October 1993 until October 1996 and was officially opened by the President of Indonesia, President Soeharto, on April the 20th 1997.

Padepokan Pencak Silat Indonesia has at least five functions and missions, that is

1.As a center for information, education, presentation and promotion of various things connecting with Pencak Silat.

2.As a center of various activities relating to the efforts of everlasting, developing, making public and enhancing the image of Pencak Silat and its values.

3.As a means for strengthening the union and the unity of the Indonesian Pencak Silat community.

4.As a means to uphold friendship and peace among Pencak Silat communities in various countries.

5.As a means to socialized the ethic code of Pencak Silat man, that is Prasetya Pesilat Indonesia (meaning a pledge declaration of the Indonesian Pencak Silat men to themself) and Ikrar Pesilat (meaning a pledge declaration of the worldwide Pencak Silat man to himself).

The architecture, meaning and names of the building

The architecture of the buildings and the various adornments of the Padepokan Pencak Silat Indonesia were dug up from the local culture of Indonesia in general without specification on a certain local culture as a reflection of the Indonesian slogan "bhinneka tunggal ika" or "unity in diversity".

The digging up of local culture are reflecting the Indonesian culture as the source of Pencak Silat. The physical planning of the building puts in global and modern elements as a reflection of the wish to realize an ever dynamics Pencak Silat and the potential to follow the development of the age.

Padepokan Pencak Silat Indonesia as a complex consists of 10 buildings, each of which has its own name, that is : Pondok Agung (the exalted cottage), Pondok Gedeh (the big cottage), Pondok Naung (the shelter cottage), Pondok Serbaguna (the multipurpose cottage), Pondok Pengobatan (the medical treatment cottage), Pondok Perpustakaan dan Museum (the library and museum cottage), Pondok Penginapan (the lodging cottage), Pondok Meditasi (the meditation cottage), Pondok Pengelola (the managers cottage) and Musholah (mosque).

The total width of the land area is about 5,2 hectare, the total width of the buildings is about 8.780 square meters and the total width of the selasar (the open veranda) is about 5.000 square meters.

1.Pondok Agung or the exalted cottage is a place for receiving VIP guests of the Padepokan.

2.Pondok Gede or the big cottage is a stadium for arranging Pencak Silat championships. This building can accomodate around 3.000 watchers and is provided to be hire for publics.

3.Pondok Naung or the shelter cottages are buildings for taking shelter, especially for the Pencak Silat athletes being prepared for regional and international championships after doing outdoors' exercise/training activities.

4.Pondok Serbaguna or the multipurpose cottage is a place for holding meetings, seminars, symposiums and something like that, included wedding and celebration parties. This cottage can accomodate around 750 people and is provided to be hire for public.

5.Pondok Pengobatan or the cottage of medical treatment is a place for traditional medical treatment and massage.

6.Pondok Perpustakaan dan Musium or the cottage of library and museum has two floors. The ground floor is used for library and meeting room, and the first floor for museum. Nowadays the library has around 4.000 books of various knowledges, including knowledge concerning Pencak Silat. The contents of museum are among others 200 weapons of Pencak Silat from various regions in Indonesia.

7.Pondok Penginapan or the lodging cottage has 4 floors. It is a hotel with 96 standard rooms and 40 VIP rooms, and is provided to be hire for public.

8.Pondok Meditasi or the meditation cottage consists of 7 artificial caves and situated behind the lodging cottage and the big cottage. The caves are provided for they who wants to get deeply absorbed condition for doing good and right meditation to find out keperkasaan (mightiness), natural or supernatural.

9.Pondok Pengelola or the cottage of board consists of two floors. The ground floor is used for the office of the Secretary General and the Secretariat of the Central Board of IPSI (the Indonesian Pencak Silat Association). The first floor is used for the office of the General Chairman and the Deputy General Chairmen of the Central Board of IPSI, the office of the Secretary General of PERSILAT (the International Federation of Pencak Silat) and meeting room.

10.Mushola or the mosque is the place for Islamic praying and religious lectures, and can accommodate around 100 prayers.

Pictures

Gelanggang Terbuka -- Outdoor Venue
http://victorian.fortunecity.com/cezanne/4...ngterbuka_a.JPG

Musholla -- Prayer Room
http://victorian.fortunecity.com/cezanne/4.../musholla_a.JPG

Pendopo Utama --Main Auditorium
http://victorian.fortunecity.com/cezanne/4...dopoutama_a.JPG

Museum
http://victorian.fortunecity.com/cezanne/4...an/musium_a.JPG

Perpustakaan -- Library
http://victorian.fortunecity.com/cezanne/4...pustakaan_a.JPG

Inside Pondok Gede -- Big Cottage
http://victorian.fortunecity.com/cezanne/4...ondokgede_a.JPG

Pondok Penginapan -- Accommodation Building
http://victorian.fortunecity.com/cezanne/4...enginapan_a.JPG

Pondok Serba Guna -- Multi Purpose Building
http://victorian.fortunecity.com/cezanne/4...serbaguna_a.JPG

Outside Pondok Gede -- Big Cottage
http://victorian.fortunecity.com/cezanne/4...padepokan1b.JPG

Sources : Padepokan Pencak Silat Indonesia (Brief Explanation), The Library of Padepokan Pencak Silat Indonesia; Rewritten by Andi Rafiandi
http://victorian.fortunecity.com/cezanne/4.../padepokan.html


Some Pictures from other links






-Padepokan Pencak Silat The Suwanda Academy Padepokan (Lembang)


Pencak Silat is traditionally taught to someone inside the family, neighbors or friends of the family. Practice usually takes place in the ricefields, under a Bamboo tree, or wherever there was some shade. There are very few schools dedicated to teaching Pencak Silat, and only one existing in Bandung: The Suwanda Academy Padepokan.

The Suwanda Academy was the dream of Pendekar Uyuh Suwanda (R.I.P) and his son, the late Guru Besar Herman Suwanda (R.I.P). Their dream was to have a cultural training center for people from all over the world to come and experience Indonesia's rich culture of food, people, and martial arts. The Padepokan is a large open-air training center located in the mountain region of Lembang. The mountain air is cooler and cleaner than the crowded city of Bandung, and the pace is relaxed and easy. The villagers are happy people, welcoming foreigners and sharing their culture with them.

The Academy has 9 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms with warm water showers, 1 Indonesian bathroom & living accomodations upstairs and a large ground level training area that can fit at least 50 people. The goal for this facility is to provide the place and means for sharing and spreading the arts and culture of the Sunda people, and exposing the world to classical Indonesian Pencak Silat.
You will be provided with three meals per day, usually American-style breakfast and Indonesian cuisine for lunch and dinner. You will probably share a room with one other person. Couples will normally have a room to themselves.

Bambang Suwanda will be the primary teacher at the camp, although there will be guest instructors from all over Indonesia from time to time, as scheduling allows. Silat training will entail traditional forms, jurus, and techniques, as well as Kembangan (Ibing) practice, with live kendang music. You will train for a minimum of four hours a day each day.

Some pictures

The Suwanda Padepokan, in beautiful Lembang Indonesia


Inside the Padepokan


Training



http://www.sundasilat.com/silat_camp_2006.htm


-Padepokan Pencak Silat Perguruan Sinar Pusaka Putra (Garut, West Java)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z77RG4JxOA...feature=related


-Padepokan Pencak Silat Perguruan Panglipur (Kampung Sumursari, Desa Sukasono, Garut, West Java)

Documentation videos of Pencak Silat with indoor and outdoor training

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vzgsL8WXSM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qa_JXcd3mQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG3ww8OgyGQ


Ibu Rd. Enny Rukmini Sekarningrat, the grandmaster of Perhimpunan Pencak Silat Panglipur. She is the daughter of the founder of perguruan Pencak Silat Panglipur, Abah Aleh (R.I.P).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNFuTHb09vs

Women Warriors and Pencak Silat

By O'ong Maryono

In Indonesia, the adventures of women warriors are often depicted in traditional theater forms, such as the wayang kulit (leather puppets) and wayang orang (human puppets). In the story of Mahabarata, Srikandi is a women warrior who uses her arrow and piles to kill various giants symbolizing wickedness. This story from the Hindu epics serves as guidance to the Javanese people and symbolizes that from time to time 'Srikandi' will be born to defend the country. And indeed, Javanese history is full of examples of women warriors. Since the Hindu times, women in Java and Bali fulfilled leading roles. For example, after leading many battles, Queen Sima reigned the Kalingga (842 ca) and Queen Rakryan Binihaji Parameswari Dyah Kebi ruled the Singasari Kingdom (1015 ca). In more recent times, during the Java War against the Dutch (1825-1830) Prince (Pangeran) Diponogoro employed two women as commanders, while during the Aceh War (1873 -1892) one of the most famous leader was Cut Nya'din who with her rencong (Acehese kris: double -bladed dagger) courageously fought against the Dutch colonialists. The combative role of women is also reflected in the developments of pencak silat. We cannot forget that women have contributed to the origin of pencak silat, at least according to various legends and myths.
...
Women are not only present in the myths, but actively practice and teach pencak silat. Some of them are also widely recognized for their knowledge and skills. The most famous today are Ibu Soekedja, pendekar of the Perguruan Pencak Silat Reksa Diri, Bandung and Ibu Enny Rukmini Sekarningrat, Guru Besar Himpunan Pencak Silat Panglipur West Java, the largest and one of the most respected perguruan in West Java with branches in The Netherlands, Japan, and Vietnam. In her persona she combines pencak silat and combative skills as the following case of her life shows:

On March 1949, when the Dutch colonialists came back again to bomb Yogyakarta, Enny Rukmini joined the battalion Pangeran Papak and fought against the Dutch in the districts of Wanaraja and Garut. To defend the capital city of Yogyakarta she joined the long march from Garut to Yogyakarta (about 400 km.) with the Batalyon Major Rukman. Since guns were limited and anyway she did not know how to use them, she was satisfied with using the sword (golok) in combination with jurus pencak silat and ilmu kebal as her weapons in the battlefield. After the war was over, she came back home in Garut and took over from her father the perguron pencak silat Panglipur. She then went to Bandung to bring together the students of her father and start to train pencak silat together. The first training was in her house, in a small street still called Gang Panglipur in honor of this important pencak silat school. From that time on Ibu Enny Rukmini Sekarningrat rebuild the Perguron Pencak Silat Panglipur and more generally pencak silat in West Java together with other pendekar such as Pak Uca, Pak Uho, Hadji Sapari, and M. Saleh. She was instrumental in promoting pencak silat in schools and university and greatly advanced pencak silat seni (art). She was the first to drastically reform pencak silat seni and to use it as a form of performance, by changing the black pencak silat custom with glamorous uniforms of bright colors. Her innovative ideas often provoked critics from more conservative groups, but finally received official recognition in 1953 when her group performed at the 1st Asian-Africa Conference in Bandung. Ibu Enny was also the first to support IPSI in developing competitions of pencak silat seni. At the moment, she is one of the 'elders' (sesepuh) of IPSI and recognized as the leading pendekar or Guru Besar of the renamed Himpunan Pencak Silat Panglipur, the biggest pencak silat school in West Java. At 85 (now 93) years she is still totally devoted to the development of pencak silat in West Java and more generally the world.

It would seem then that women have played a great role in the development of pencak silat from the beginning up to today. Their contribution should be treasured and highlighted in an effort to make present-day pencak silat more accessible to women and enhance their position in institutionalized pencak silat organizations, such as IPSI and PERSILAT.

http://www.cimande.com/writings/oong/ong_woman.htm

Some Pictures from other links

http://duel.melsa.net.id/images/04enny13.jpg
http://duel.melsa.net.id/images/04enny01.jpg
http://duel.melsa.net.id/images/04enny02.jpg

Pencak Silat Bali

Bali Silat - Fighting for Change @ the UN Bali Conference on Global Climate Change December 3rd-14th 2007

Pentjak's Silat's Nine Deadliest Weapons: Indonesia's Savage Swords, Daggers and Spears


By David E. Steele

Suryadi “Eddie” Jafri is one of the best-known instructors of the Indonesian martial art pentjak silat (also spelled pencak silat). Pentjak refers to the fighting movements, while silat means a “spiritual way.” Jafri’s style of pentjak silat, pera taki sendo, is a close-combat system using empty-hand techniques as well as traditional weapons. His system has combined some elements of Philippine arnis styles, as well as several classical styles of Javanese, Sumatran and Borneo silat.

The Indonesian archipelago is made up of 13,677 islands, the best known of which are Java, Sumatra, South Borneo, West Irian (New Guinea) and Bali. While Bali has a unique Hindu-Buddhist culture, the rest of the islands are Muslim, a result of proselytism and military incursions between A.D. 1275 and 1520, Islam having first been introduced by merchants from India and Persia.

The two major kingdoms prior to the Muslim takeover were the Sriwijaya Empire, beginning in the fifth century with its capital in Jambi (South Sumatra), and the Majapahit Empire, which began in the 13th century with its capital in Java. The Majapahit Empire extended all the way to the southern Philippines, where an interchange of martial arts occurred as the Filipinos adopted the kris (Indonesian dagger) and Malay-style fighting arts before integrating the rapier and dagger techniques of Spanish conquerors.

In the 15th century, European colonial powers turned their eyes to the “East Indies,” which they saw as the “Spice Islands” because of their natural supplies of clove and nutmeg. In 1596 the Dutch, under the command of Cornelis de Houtman, solidified their hold on the islands, forcing out Portugal and the other European colonialist traders. Eventually the Dutch monopolized the spice trade, setting up the East Indian Company, Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie.

Indonesian patriots fought the company as best they could, using silat’s traditional weapons against Dutch firepower. Needless to say, firearms ownership was forbidden to native Indonesians, and even metal, from which edged weapons could be made, was restricted. The arts themselves had to be taught in secret.

The original system of pentjak silat dates back 4,000 years, and the first moves copied the strikes of animals such as monkeys, tigers and snakes. It provided defense against wild animals, bandits, madmen and foreign invaders. Its principal weapons were the staff and various bladed tools.
By the time of the Dutch conquest, Indonesian martial arts had already developed into complete systems. Except for primitive decapitating moves practiced with mandau jungle knives by the Dyak tribes of Borneo, virtually all Indonesian styles had developed defensive and offensive techniques for various weapons. The blade was emphasized over the empty hand or blunt instruments. Even today, there are more knife and sword designs in Indonesia than any other place in the world.

The traditional styles were adapted to modern combat first against the Dutch and later the Japanese. The objective was to infiltrate so close to the enemy that he could not use his rifle. During the early days of the Dutch conquest, this meant working against a single-shot musket, the objective being to avoid the first shot and then the bayonet. The Atjehnese of Sumatra developed a kicking style whereby the unique rentjong knife was held between the toes to compensate for the superior length of the rifle’s bayonet. The bayonet could be parried with either a golok or another field knife, then the rentjong was kicked into the groin. Such frontal combat could be suicidal against the Japanese in World War II, who were armed with modern repeating weapons, so Indonesians later emphasized subterfuge and assassination techniques. The night attack, stalking of sentries and stragglers, and poisoning of officials became tactics of choice. Even today, poisoning is taught at the higher levels of silat for use against one’s most dangerous enemies.

Jafri teaches Philippine stick techniques to his students because Indonesian arts do not give the stick special emphasis. Police officers and those who need nonlethal self-defense methods can use the techniques to good effect.

Jafri also teaches silat empty-hand techniques, although most of his students are not expected to strike banana trees with punches and kicks as he had to in his early training in Sumatra. Currently, most of his teaching is devoted to the Indonesian blade, the core of the old styles. The following are the silat weapons that he considers the nine deadliest.

Kris

The kris (also spelled keris) is the national weapon of Indonesia and the oldest distinctive weapon in that culture. It is found throughout the archipelago, as well as in Malaysia and the Philippines. It was the tool of ancient heroes and kings, becoming a symbol of both courage and beauty. Sultans had elaborate versions of the kris made for them by famous bladesmiths.

Kris blades are hammer-welded of special iron, even meteoric iron. According to legend, Empu Ramadi around A.D. 230 made the first kris. Early krises were leaf-shaped and were called pasopati, paso or pisau, meaning knife, and pati, meaning deadly. Antique krises are kept as heirlooms or votive objects, and some are said to possess magic power.

The curved blade appeared around A.D. 329. The number of curves is always odd, and the correct number for a particular owner is based on a thumb-beside-thumb measuring ritual accompanied by “lucky” incantations. The wavy blade or sarpa lumaku (walking serpent) was perfected and began to decline in the 15th century, the last period of “magic” krises.

The pamor (Damascus) blade-welding technique also began to die out after the Majapahit era. Hammer-welding three metal bars containing nickel iron and meteoric iron created the distinctive patterns. This allowed varying degrees of hardness in the blade, combining sharpness with shatter resistance. Rust and even poison were sometimes added to make the blade deadlier.

Each part of the kris blade has a name, as do the handle and sheath. The blade is attached to the handle by a short tang, which is not much of a disadvantage in a weapon used primarily for thrusting.

Kujang

According to tradition, the kujang, with its curved blade, was the weapon of West Javanese kings. It is said to take its shape from the antler of a deer. Many Indonesians believe it has mystical power and can bring good luck.

Rentjong

The L-shaped rentjong (or rencong) has a 3-to-10 inch blade made of white iron or yellow metal, with a sheath of buffalo horn, ivory or exotic wood. The pistol-like grip allows powerful one- or two-handed blows as well as the kick-thrust. Because Atjehnese are usually barefoot, developing the necessary foot strength and suppleness for kick-thrusts was not as difficult as it sounds. Boys would practice walking or running with sticks held in their toes until they could easily maneuver the rentjong. The blade was carried upward between the first two toes, and the handle curled under the others.

Some rentjongs were not even sharpened because they were designed for stabbing. Sometimes it was left impaled in the victim’s belly or groin, held by the barbs at the base of the blade. When used with two hands for a rib strike, the handle could be turned like a coffee grinder to produce a more destructive wound.

Golok

All Indonesian silat masters use the golok, especially in West Java. The blade length of this bolo-style weapon is usually between 12 and 24 inches. They are sometimes coated with scorpion or cobra venom to increase lethality.

Golok practitioners begin training by strengthening their wrists and hands. They do this by swinging sand-filled bottles between the thumb and forefinger. When they move on to the golok, they first practice techniques against banana trees or bamboo stalks.

As a jungle knife, the golok is unequaled. Even the British military issues its own version of the golok since its commando operations in Malaya (1948-60) and Borneo (1965-66).

Pisau Bilati

The pisau bilati is the universal kitchen utility knife in Indonesia. With a blade length of 7 inches or less, it is legally sold in any open-air market. It is carried everywhere by street vendors, fruit sellers, meat cutters, etc. It is the knife most likely to be available when a fight breaks out. Because of its ubiquity, most silat masters use it as one of the training knives.

Mandau

The mandau comes from South Borneo, the land of the Dyaks. The mandau is a jungle knife as well as the traditional headhunting sword. The handle is usually decorated with goat hair or human hair.

The mandau may be used in combination with a shield, and the blade may be coated with poison for special occasions. While headhunting is supposedly no longer part of the Dyaks’ animistic religion, there is no doubt that the mandau is still capable of deadly battle.

Badik

The badik comes from Celebes and is a weapon for infighting. Its blade is usually 5 to 7 inches in length. The Bugio people of South Celebes are most noted for using it.

The Bugio fighting style emphasizes quick and fatal strikes to the heart, stomach or kidneys. They practice by tying a sash around the waists of two fighters so that each must sidestep to avoid the stomach thrust of the other. In combat, the badik blade is sometimes poisoned.

Celurit

The Madura celurit is shaped like a question mark. The Madurese use it as a sickle to cut grass for their cattle but also employ it in self-defense as part of a martial style called pamur silat.

The celurit is difficult to evade because of its flexibility and hard to disarm because of its multiple directions of attack. It is sharp enough to cleave skulls or decapitate heads.

The celurit has killed often enough to be notorious. The Indonesian government now punishes without pardon individuals who carry one in public.

Tombak

The tombak (spear) is used in most silat styles. In the old days, it was used from horseback or for long-distance fighting on foot. Most traditional spears today are kept at home as decorations, but as late as 1945, they were used in combat against the Japanese. Even sharpened bamboo spears were pressed into the fight against Japanese and Dutch oppressors. Sharpened bamboo makes for a slow death, and most enemy soldiers would have preferred to be shot or stabbed with a sword.

The spear could also be used effectively against a bayonet. They were not meant for throwing, like a Roman pitumm, but for stabbing, like the Zulu assegai.

About the Author: David E. Steele is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and martial artist whose specialty is weapons articles.

http://www.blackbeltmag.com/pentjaks_silat...rs/archives/584


Kujang
(Some people believe that kujang was created to be more of a talisman rather than a weapon)





Badik



Keris






Rencong



Mandau



Celurit


Golok



Tombak (Spear)

I havnt heard his name for a long time now.

He is in Malaysia/Thailand alot.



Dont forget Malaysia as well.

you guys' golok (we call them gulok), the filipino version is a little squared.

gulok

do you guys have war axes? igorots (highlanders) have head hunting war axe that they often use with shields.
war axe

Also i disagree with the knife fighting influenced by Spanish. There are many knives and knife designs prior to the Spanish. the only style that i may agree with that is the espada y daga, but even many philippine styles have double handed techniques. nor are there any significant version of knife fighting in europe, nor are the knife fighting any more different with a long or short blades (since kali uses the same general hand movements armed or unarmed). Also rapier-fighting? Majority of arnis are obviously designed for small, broader and lighter blade-fighting (machete)...which if you would apply to long slender blades (european sabers and rapiers) isn't going to work (and it's not a filipino preferred form of fighting which is light fast and dirty). there are however european styles adopted on some blades e.g. the sansibar and other bolos with knuckle bows and a straighter design.

as for the kujang and rencong, those are very exquisite designs. interesting, however i was expecting you guys to carry longer and bigger swords like the kampilan.

btw have you guys heard about kalimasada?


sometimes i want to be like this old guy also ...
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=D-wtob4B2bU



this granma is pretty badass for 93 years old, still smoking tho!! iam pretty sure she is super hot when she was 18! she is silat master, and still stand like a heroine lolz.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=mNFuTHb09vs

she is remind me to Genkai in yu yu hakusho comic

1. In the context of Sumatran Srivijaya, with its wet climate n therefore soft terrain n thick jungle, were horse/cavalry units used often n extensively in a typical battle?

2. The bamboo spear, I think that's very interesting, as something simple n easily available. How is it that it causes a slow death? Could you explain further?

3. How about the rotan? That could've been used as a quite effective weapon in staff/stick fighting, right? I mean, it's used in caning major-case criminals, so it surely has v significant pain/injury potential.

A long, big, heavy, stout piece of rotan staff, whipped around hard n fast, to hit someone's head. Now, that could knock someone out cold with one good blow, I'd have thought.

It could be sharpened like the bamboo also, couldn't it? For use as a stabbing weapon, perhaps?

The Indonesian Keris


In 2005, UNESCO gave the title Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity to Keris of Indonesia.
The keris spread from the island of Java to many parts of the archipelago of Indonesia, such as Sumatra, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, South Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and to the Southeast Asian areas now known as Malaysia, Brunei, southern Philippines, southern Thailand, and Singapore.

http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php


The Making of Keris Documentary in Indonesia

Video
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/video/item/...an_Keris_bag.01
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/video/item/...an_Keris_bag.02


Padepokan Basuki Keris (Solo/Surakarta, Central Java)

Padepokan Empu Basuki, Keris & Statue Maker, Japanese Guest Visitors






http://www.flickr.com/photos/erryanzslo/25...in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/erryanzslo/25...in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/erryanzslo/25...in/photostream/



A Collaboration Workshop among Students ( Institut Teknologi Bandung and Institut Seni Indonesia Surakarta)

http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/16/5
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/16/12
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/16/16
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/16/27
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/16/30
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/16/38


KERIS

The most famous pusaka or heirloom for Javanese people is Keris (dagger). In the ancient time, a man is not considered as a real man if he has no keris. The keris is highly valued, treated and respected with special care.
This pusaka is usually inherited from fore fathers. According to Javanese ancient tradition, especially in the court families, a father was obliged to give to his adult son at least a keris.

In general, keris is divided to two important parts, the blade (Wilah) and the scabbard (Warangka), to protect the blade. The process of the making of the blade in the old days may last one year only for one keris. The keris maker is called an Empu. Only the respectable Empus could make a high quality keris, physically and spiritually. Empu has to do some spiritual deeds to prepare a keris, like fasting, not sleeping for several days and nights, meditation, etc.
In Principle, a keris is a personal sacred weapon, it is made by an Empu, in accordance with the wish of the consumer. The manufacturing of keris is complicated, for short as the following :

At workshop with good fire plate to case the row materials such as 5 kg iron plate, measuring; 4 cm wide, 2 cm thick, 15 cm long; 50 gr of nickel and 0,5 kg of steel. The iron is heated until it become smaller, it forges again and again. The 5 kg iron become 2 kg forged iron. The nickel inserted in between the forged iron, smolder them, forged them carefully to produce the desired 'pamor' or surface pattern. Afterward the steel sheet, together with above forged iron and nickel, smolder and forge again.
In this stage the keris should be made Keris Lurus (a straight keris) or Keris Luk (keris with curves). The keris should be formed in accordance to the blue print, using several tools such as; rough fine, triangular files, grindstone and chisels.
Afterwards the keris should be heated but not smoldered and than plated, to make the keris more durable. After it has been plated, it should be soaked in a mix solution of sulfur, lemon juice and salt. The keris is ready and its weight is about 0,4 kg.

The Physical Characteristic of Keris :

1. Keris Lurus (straight Keris) and Keris Luk (curved keris)
2. Dapur
Dapur or shape is the keris specific form or type and identified by particular combination of parts and curved (luk). The meaning of dapur is based on certain standard which is called Pakem Dapur Keris. The names of dapur among other :
* Sangga Buwono
* Jangkung Mangkurat
* Pasopati
* Tilam Upih
* Sengkelat
* Jalak Nyucup Madu
* Etc.
3. Tangguh
Tangguh is the estimated era of keris making. It is linked with prominent kingdoms, such as ;
* Tangguh Kahuripan of XI AD
* Tangguh Singasari of XII AD
* Tangguh Pajajaran of XIII AD
* Tangguh Majapahit of XIV AD
* Tangguh Mataram of XIV - XVI AD
* Tangguh Kartosuro
* Tangguh Surokarto
* Tangguh Yogyakarta
* Etc.
4. Pamor
Surface pattern of a keris blade, the design has not been carved, it appears as a result of forging technique of different metals.
Some pamor's name are :
* Ilining Warih
* Wos Wutah
* Lintang Kemukus
* Udan Mas
* Mlati Sumebar

The magical Power of Keris

Despite its physical characteristic, keris contain a spiritual mission.

1. The original spiritual power is the wishes of the Empu, the maker. While preparing and making a keris, the Empu, in the holy state, solemnly pray to God Almighty, the keris should contain spiritual wishes as requested by the Empu or the consumer.
It depends who is going to use the keris, the mission should be different, for instance, for the kings, begawans (priest), generals, high ranking officials, farmers, traders, fishermen, workers, soldiers, etc. So, it could be easy to understand that a keris which good for king , may be not good for a trader.
2. The Additional and/or Other Spiritual Power of Keris.
The keris could be filled with spiritual beings, unseen by ordinary people, such as a genie, (jin or qodam) in order to protect or to help the keris owner.
The Physical characteristic of Keris, also symbolizing its mission.

1. Dapur : Jalak Ngucup Madu (jalak is a starling, a kind of bird; ngucup is drink; madu is honey). The wish is clear, the owner of the keris should live in prosperity.
2. Pamor : Udan Mas (udan is rain; mas is gold). The keris has a mission to help its owner to have an abundant wealth.
3. A. Keris Lurus or Straight Keris, symbolizing self-confidence, strong mentality.
B.Keris Luk or Keris with Curved

Luk 3 : symbolizing a success to achieve some wishes.
Luk 5 : to be loved by other people
Luk 7 : dignity.
Luk 9 : dignity, charismatic and leadership.
Luk 11 : to achieve high position
Luk 13 : peaceful and stability of live.

Definition of a Good Keris

A keris is considered 'good' if it has perfect physical characteristics and at the same time contains good and strong spiritual power.

Menayuh Keris

As it has been explained above, that keris is originally a very personal heirloom, fit only for the owner.
Nowadays, there are a lot of keris in the market for sale, the term used is not buying and selling, but Mas Kawin (Bride price).

How could someone know that a keris should be fit for buyer ?
The keris should be tayuh (asked), what is its missions, who is the Empu, etc, of course by an expert in this field who has ability to communicate with a keris

The Price of Keris (This is an old article, so the prices might change)

The price in terms of money are very variable, depends to its quality. 'Ordinary'
keris should be around Rp. 250.000,- (US$ 100), but a masterpiece could reach as high as US$ 50.000 !!!

(Suryo S. Negoro)
http://www.joglosemar.co.id/keris.html

Some pictures
http://www.joglosemar.co.id/keris/position1.jpg
http://www.joglosemar.co.id/keris/wearkeris1.jpg
http://www.joglosemar.co.id/keris/shop1.jpg


-Keris Jawa (Javanese Keris)

http://www.indotalisman.com/KerisSinggobarong.JPG
http://www.indotalisman.com/singabarongc.JPG
http://www.indotalisman.com/singabarongd.JPG
http://www.indotalisman.com/yk2c.JPG
http://www.indotalisman.com/yk2b.JPG
http://www.indotalisman.com/yk2b.JPG
http://www.indotalisman.com/keris4b.JPG
http://www.indotalisman.com/keris4c.JPG
http://www.indotalisman.com/kweris4standingb.JPG
http://www.indotalisman.com/Keris8b.JPG
http://www.indotalisman.com/Keris8c.JPG
http://www.indotalisman.com/Keris8d.JPG
http://www.indotalisman.com/Keris8e.JPG



-Keris Bali

I Wayan Ritug's Keris Collection

http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/32/1
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/32/4
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/32/5
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/32/6
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/32/7
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/32/8
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/32/9
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/32/10
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/32/11
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/32/12
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/32/13



Keris Palembang

Koleksi Museum Balaputradewa Palembang

http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/26/1
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/26/2
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/26/5
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/26/6
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/28/1
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/28/2
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/28/3
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/28/4
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/28/5
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/28/6
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/28/7
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/28/8
http://kerisologi.multiply.com/photos/photo/28/9

http://www.cimande.com/writings/oong/ong_woman.htm


----------------------------------------------------------------------

indonesian language link about her

http://duel.melsa.net.id/04ennyrs.html

one of the living female Indonesian silat master now ( some are her past picture)





Austrian guy demonstrate silat panglipur, with weapon
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=8RGvlYkNCmc


overall i think what i like from pencak silat is
all rounder, from weapon, bare hand , kick, throw, lock, submit.
moved by beautiful artistic dance

-Why that gulok doesn't have a pointy tip? For what purpose?


-I have never seen a pendekar performing pencak silat with an axe, maybe it's too difficult to handle since the need for speed and flexibility are an important aspect in pencak silat, but i could be wrong...
I believe some warriors in deep jungle use an axe as a weapon.


I don't know if this is a war axe



-The espada y daga is one of the most complex and dangerous phillipines martial art, since it can be used for long , middle and close range combat.
We have also a similar technique ( double handed) which use 2 golok ( golok kembar/ twin golok)


-Some people believe that kujang was created to be more of a talisman rather than a weapon.
http://www.indotalisman.com/Kujang.html

The unique design of rencong make it capable to lock, trap and disarm the enemy. It is not long cause it's a stabbing weapon.
But we have these huge swords

http://saptawan.multiply.com/photos/photo/18/13
http://saptawan.multiply.com/photos/photo/18/4
http://saptawan.multiply.com/photos/photo/18/17

1. I don't know about the horse battle in the Srivijaya Kingdom. I think it's very unwise to use cavalry units in thick jungle.
But in the island of Sumba (East of Bali) there is a traditional war ritual, where hundreds of horsemen fling spears at each other.
This traditional ceremony known as Pasola.



http://www.nancarrow-webdesk.com/warehouse...mg.138635_t.jpg

2. Sorry. i can't find a reliable article about it.
We call it bambu runcing.
I guess, it depend on how you use the weapon. If you use a sword to chop someone's head off , he will die in no time compared to if you use it to cut his arm, then probably he will die slowlybecause of losing blood. Since the bamboo spear has the same function as a spear, it wounded the target by piecing them not by choping limbs off. So go figure. Don't forget that the bamboo often was smeared with poison/excrement in order to cause an infection.




3. Yes, rotan has been used in pencak silat as a stick (tongkat rotan). It's one of a betawi's traditional weapon. The main purpose of tongkat rotan is to hit not to stab the enemy. Of course you can always invent or create something new.

In choreographed training, maybe not.

But remember, a martial art is ultimately about real, spontaneous fighting, not choreographed dance. The 'tari' is only for entertainment n as a side attraction. It's also for polishing up moves already mastered.

But, in a real, spontaneous fight, or in a real battle involving close combat, any weapon is a good weapon. So, a REAL pendekar has to be EQUALLY adept at using ANY weapon. Besides also being able to fight bare-handed, of course.

Frankly, I'd be as scared facing a guy wielding an axe as another one wielding a keris or sword. I mean, if it could cleave a big, tough block of wood, ya can just imagine what it could do to yer chest, back, neck or head!

I can see why. They learned martial arts around the world.
I'd like to see the various martial artists who appeared in this series fight each other.

Of all the Fight Quest series that I've seen, Pencak Silat was the most hard-core. First of all, an Indonesian fighter bled himself in a dance. Then the two Fight Quest guys were trained to withstand pain. In one of that training, one of the guys had to receive punches to his stomach. Another guy had to run on a mountain while being barefoot. He had to kick and punch a tree too.

Some of those gulok i think are used mainly slashing; it sacrifices being double bladed for the tip.

Those you posted are very similar (almost exact) to the Igorot war axe...but when it said 'us' on the picture i have doubts whether they are from indonesia. Those second sets are nice. Definitely an axe, but ceremonial looking and with it's length and design it would have been more used like a mace.

EDIT: I was right. I checked out the site you showed, those were Philippine weapons (Igorot to be exact)...old American/Philippine anthropoogists refer to native Filipino tribes as either "Indonesian" (Proto-Malay) and Malayan (Malay/Muslim/Hindu)

The difference with Espada y daga (sword and knife) is it employ almost two different kinds of blades. We do have regular two handed, however fighting with sword knife combo is different...putting the knife hand back, using the main hand with sword to attack and stab with the rear weapon (knife)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r67AR8m_hOk


You're right. Is the kujang just a scythe? It's exquisite like the rencong but it seems impractical because of the design. Imagine taking it out or hiding it.


Holy fu-k that's huge. Is it just for ceremonial purpose (hand is almost too impratically big to be curved)

this is the longest the kampilan gets

Whoa... she was a "femme fatale" back in her days....
I can see the trace of her beauty....

Whoa... she was a "femme fatale" back in her days....
I can see the trace of her beauty....

Langka Lima Silat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF7DoaJkrdo