Tanah Abang, one of the centers of commerce in Indonesia’s capital city is known as the biggest garment market in Indonesia and perhaps in Southeast Asia.
Aside from being a large textile market, Tanah Abang has also been known for a long time as a place that produced a lot of Silat champions (jago-jago). One of [...]

The two people move backwards and forwards in an orderly manner. There arms extending and folding in turn. Suddenly one of the players reverses direction throwing his adversary and immediately raucus laughter fills the room.
The above scenario describes the training environment at the Paguron (School) of Maenpo Cikalong Pancerbumi, that happens each Friday night on [...]

Salam Pencak Silat,
As decided at the meeting with PESAKA as The Organizing Committee Pencak Silat World Championship 2007 on 13 July 2007 in PERSILAT office, Jakarta, we hereby officially confirm that Pencak Silat World Championship 2007 will be held on 20 – 25 October 2007 in Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia.

Born From the Philosophy of Sufi Tradition
Part One of a Two Series of Articles

The grand white building stands imposing on top of the hill. Its huge pillars tower 4 meters high supporting the terrace where pilgrims may rest, for this building is a mausoleum.
To arrive at the location, pilgrims need to endure the hardship [...]

Maenpo Kari-Cikaret
Striking Skills that Kill
Kari Cikaret doesn’t acknowledge within its method the practice of hitting hard objects.
Blam! An open palm slap to the cheek resonates clearly. One can tell from the sound that it was a heavy slap and it would’ve hurt. It’s not surprising therefore, that the recipient of the strike makes desperate and [...]

 
The martial arts styles found in the area of Jakarta (previously known as Batavia) have played an important role in the development and dynamic of this city since before it became a the modern metropolis it is today. Historically, Jakarta has been the melting pot for various cultures and nationalities from all over Southeast Asia [...]

Fewer of the younger generation are paying attention to this traditional style of silat.

The old man climbed the steps, occassionaly appearing a little off balance. His thin body bowed slightly forward when he stood, however as soon as the drums began to beat, he moved with suprising alacrity setting up his attack. While his [...]

Sabandar silat players do not only emphasise speed and strength in a fight.
His body appears fragile. His back is slightly bent. When he walks, his steps appear uncertain/rickety. Wak Entir’s (who is 92 y.o.) physical condition could give rise to some concern. In addition to that only one eye is open. His hearing too is [...]

Have you ever seen how beautifully the Aikido expert manipulates his opponent’s energy until he falls down? In several styles of Silat, the concept of “flowing” with the opponent’s energy isn’t alien at all. For example, the technique called ‘buang kelid” or piceunan in Sundanese, is an essential technique that illustrates this concept. the Cikalong [...]