SENI GOLOK

Golok is one of Malay tool and weapon. By definition, Golok is known by looking at it's size as it is shorter than Parang. Normally, I use a Parang Panjang (or Kelantanese call as Klewe/Klewang) for Parang training of Silat Seni Gayong. But gradually, I change into Brazilian machete, (bizarrely can be found even at Pasar Siti Kathijah at Kelantan! heheheh) as it is lighter and can be played easily for any rapid and fast technics.

What is good about Golok is that with it, you can stab as quick as a knife, and at the same time you can use it to block any attack, which is difficult to do so with a knife due to it's size. While Parang, the length is long so we'll find the difficulties during a close-fight. That's why Golok is a practical weapon that can be pull out in a blink of eye from it's sheath and can be played with various technics: stabbing, cutting, blocking, slashing, "hiding" behind the arms, and so on. The first time I witness a Golok movement was with my master at Pulai Chondong, Cikgu Suhaili Che Soh.

To master a Golok, the are Jurus to be learned and to be consistently repeated. To compare with knife or machete, there is many counter attack can be performed by using this weapon. Golok is much more popular in the Indonesian Pencak Silat community, as it is made as one of their lesson. In Malaysian Seni Silat, people is more familiar with the Parang. One unique style that use the Golok as it's main weapon is Perguruan Pencak Golok Melayu of Master Mufti Ansari. He inherited this art from his family (while at the same time he learned Gayong from the late Mahaguru). I'll talk about his background in Silat Seni Gayong later on in other post InsyaAllah.(he is the only one who got the permission from the late Mahaguru to teach Gayong outside Malaysia and also was Cikgu Amin's training partner during the time of Mahaguru )

In Jurus Tunggal too, we have the Golok (and the Toya/Tongkat/Tembung of course). I met also the Indonesian expert, Mas Cecep to exchange some tips of Golok, since his style of Panglipur use much Golok in many Jurus. I reorganize the Golok technics that I learned in Silat Seni Gayong and make a set of Golok exercices, and arrange it in a set of steps. So here in Gayong France, Seni Golok is one of a lesson which is not included in the syllabus. (pelajaran tambahan for Jurulatih). I'll make a new entry about Parang next time insyaAllah...

Hanya Allah yang tahu.... (ambil ayat Cikgu Iswan dari Klang, rindu betol pada dia, lama menyepi! hehehehehehe)

SSG Self-Defense

photo from Cikgu Sam USFG book

Nowadays, everything is going so fast. Everyone needs speed. It seems that we have a shorter time than our grandparents had in the old days. This situation happens everywhere, and applies to the all nation and races. With the technology, one task that used to take more time to be accomplished, is done in far quicker than before. This included in martial arts training. In the traditional way, people practice martial arts all along their lives. They started at the early age, and continue repeating the movements from generation to generation. In Malay tradition, one must have trained for years, "Bertapa" (meditate) in a remote place far from people, and been tested by many kinds of nature before becoming a Pendekar, Guru, or Pendita.

When the technologies created the movies, people see the new trend of learning the martial arts: The Self-Defense. In the traditional martial arts, we feel the influence of cultural, religion, ritual and believes from it's birth place. There is the traditional form of movements (Jurus, Gerakan and Asas), and also choreography (Pentas) which is consistently repeated by the practitioners. It is a long term training, and the purpose is not only to know how to fight, but also the education from the Master to his students, physically, mentally and spiritually.

Self Defense (Seni Beladiri) is one part of Martial Art. All of the traditional way of training like low Kuda-Kuda (position), Jurus (fixed steps) and traditional weapons practices are all considered as not suitable during the street fighting (combat dans la rue). It concentrates in one lesson only, which is how to survive the knife or stick attack, (arms locks, with the Tonfa or not etc.) and minimize the damage to us while maximize the effects of our strikes to the enemy.

Personally, I find that taking a Self Defence class is good, but only for those who has already the basic traditional martial art (Pencak Silat, Wing Chun, Karate, Varma Kalai etc...). This will enlarge the our view, and make us know more our own martial arts! Those who are already used with the martial arts, will find the self defense concept is easy and simple, but is practical. But for those who has never learned any martial art before, by the end of the class, he would, if he's good enough, to survive any knife attacks, but he won't be able to develop the technics to a higher level. One traditional martial art teacher can teach the self defense, and be a good fighter whenever he wants, but a Self Defence teacher would be a good fighter, but do not know any traditional weapons applications and will find himself "closed" with his style. What is the joy of having thousands students, if we don't use that chance to educate our students morally? What is the professional links to be compared with the personal bonds?

Seems there is the need for this kind of lesson, I start to teach this in our new class at the heart of Paris. This Friday would be our second class. I will start with traditional Silat Seni Gayong class, and will alternate it with the Gayong self defense technics like the all the Pecahan, Buah Peluk, Buah Cekik and Buah Pukul. A new approach to Anak Gayong in France.

Salam.... ;)

NARAPATINANTABOGA: An inspiration from my Ma...

Some of my students ask me, what does Narapatinantaboga stands for?

Narapatinantaboga is my name. Well, it's my name in "imagination world". It was given by my mother, when she was still a teacher at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kamil. She is the one who inspires me a lot. I learned my first prayer, Alif Ba Ta' and Islamic fundamental practices from her. She is the one who teaches me the Pantun (she was the holder of Best Leader, gold medal), Sajak, Pidato (gold medal when she was still 9) , Bahas, Syarahan and Drama (Best Drama Director). If now I have been so much attached with Malay tradition, than this should be her "fault"! hehheheh (When I was in secondary school, I was a really active student. My most waited school program was the "Bakat Perdana" week)

I started drawing my own comic books (using a cheap blue ball pen and a 40 cents exercise book) since 9 years old. I created one characters each for every of my classmates (boys only!!! hehehehe) and I was Ninja Kim in my first comic book. Some characters that I still remember were Shogun Azam and Coconutman Arman. Every year I make about 2 comics, about 100 pages each. Drawing those stories, with all of "Hikmat" and fighting stuff was always made me sit or lie on the floor for hours until forgetting to drink or eating.

My "comics production" activities continues, until now. (even during the lecture at university! heheheh). Every time I hold my pen to draw, I always remember the day that I was concentrating of drawing my favorite creature: The Dragon. My Ma, sitting near me, was preparing some of Pantun for her students that will be represent our school at the National level. She said; what a beautiful word, of Narapatinantaboga. I asked her, what does it means Ma? Smiling to me, she said, Narapati means The King, while Nantaboga means The Dragon. Narapatinantaboga means the Raja Naga (King of Dragon). Since then, every time I was chosen to be a leader of a group in any co curriculum activities, I will "abuse" my power to name our group as Narapatinantaboga!!! (the last time I named my group was during a National Leadership Course of Tun Razak after my SPM! Hahahahahahha )

It is not just a word for me. What counts for me, is that it reminds me the presence of my Ma beside me. When I told my Ma about the name recently, she was laughing and was quite surprise that I still remember those words! And since I practice Silat Seni Gayong and it is the only one of Silat that has the Dragon in the logo (as far as I concern), the word Narapatinantaboga suites me very much!

I love you Ma! I love you Abah, Mek, Abe-Abe, Kakok-Kakok and Adik-Adik semuo...! ;)
ZAAATTTT!!!!!

Walking around Jaures...

I caught a light fever but serious cough after coming back from Italy and Lillle. After having a nice rest, I took some air around with Cik Faris's family. 10 minutes walk from my apartment, there is a park where I always train Silat in the early morning. Nice view, and good for those who want to visit Paris too. (nanti bawak Cikgu2 gayong semua datang sini! ;))

After playing the paper boat with the children, we went to Cik Rosli's house for Raya invitation.... (for the 2nd time for me again! hehehehhe). One whole day walking, playing, eating and "sightseeing", I am completely healthy and better now! ;)

waiting for the boat passing

canauxrama boat

...and our boat! ;)

some view

it was really sunny and hot. I almost dived into the river!

one pity lost children looking for her parents.... hehehehe

lepak lepak di hujung minggu.....

AWANG BODOH: Kerambit & Sarong

I am not sure whether the term of "Seni Awang Bodoh" would be different for other Gayong master. But what I've learned with Tuan Haji Mansor, Awang Bodoh is a Kerambit fight technics with both of the Pesilat are inside the Sarong. Awang Bodoh also refers to one of the Cindai technics.

I snapped few photos to show a little bit the "image" of it with my student Benjamin. This lesson normally reserved only to the experienced students. Many hand-work needed here, with many jurus to be practiced first before starting to play with the real Kerambit....

Hand-works

Applying some jurus (pressure points, grabs, articulation)

Half-Lock

Striking to the vital point

Training For The Demo

at the end of the day....

My journey today took me about 1 hour with the TGV train from Gare du Nord, to Lille, which is situated about 400km to the north of France from Paris. We had our training to prepare for next Saturday demonstration of BDA (Boulevard des association). 15 minutes to represent Association Française Silat Seni Gayong.

Be there Mesdames, Messieurs!

There gonna be Bunga Teratai & Bunga Tanjung, Gerakan Keris, Pentas Keris, Pukulan-Kombat-Kuncian, Asas & Elakan Tongkat, Asas & Elakan Parang, and Gerakan Tekpi. Hopefully this would be a big publicity of this art among the French and Belgian.

We trained from 2pm until 6pm, and then Benjamin bring me to look the place where will be the demo. The place will be full of stands of all associations inside the north of France... almost! ;) At 8pm, I came back to Paris, after being treated with a big delicious Halal lamb Kebab of "Riyadh Kebab". This restaurant is one of my favorite place when every time I come to teach Gayong at Lille. Other places are the Al Pacha Kebab and Bondue Subway! ;) I've just lost 1kg after the training, now I gain another 2kg! Heheehhehehehe

For those Malaysian students in Lille, come and support our demo and stand! It would be better to have some Malaysian participate during the festival. We are going to make some Silat workshop, that everyone can participate. That's gonna be fun! Venez nombreux!!!!!! Allez!!!

The entrance

The BDA: Boulevard des Associations

This place used to be a train station

Baby Dino

Our demo should be done inside this building.

Seni Pinang Sebatang

Learning Seni Silat means learning the history. The stories of the legendary warriors in the past always amaze us until now. Sometime we are wondering, how the ancients warriors trained themselves? One of the story was about 2 warriors, who were so expert in Silat, that could fight on a single areca nut palm, made as a bridge across a river.One was at a side while another one at the opposite side. Both were acrossing the bridge at the same time and met face to face at the middle of the bridge, but none of them accept to go back to let other one across the river first. To "solve"this problem they fought on that "tiny bridge" until one fell into the river.

This ability, of fighting in a small and limited place called in many names; Seni Pinang Sebatang, Seni Papan Sekeping, Seni Awang Bodoh, Seni Rajawali etc.There are some tips of learning this art:

1) There is no more "normal" position (open the legs) to fight. We stay up right, with the certain types of feet positions depending on how we are going to "Receive and Give".

2) The feet must be "hammered" on the floor, but it doesn't mean that they cannot move. Use all of feet fingers to grip the floor to have a steady and sturdy position. Be like a Cicak-Man! (lizard) ehhehehehehe

3) Control the body line in every movement. This will be automatic after many training. Body line control avoid us to lost our energy for nothing. (should apply physics theories here! ;p)

4) Need a strong abdomen. Seems we don't have a wide open legs to collect a big momentum for our punch or block, we need to use the centre energy from abdomen to our hands. It means that we need a powerful hands too! ;)

5) Always train on a marked line and try not to go out from it.

For those Anak Gayong who has learned the Rajawali technics for example, would find the easiness of handling the enemy's attacks without working too much on it. This concept is used in many Silat systems (like Silat Cekak, Silat Kalimah etc.) and in Silat Seni Gayong itself...

WaAllahua'lam...

ITALY TRIP

Piazza dei Miracoli

I just came back from Italy. I spent three days to visit Pisa, Lucca and Florence. This trip was really interesting. I was the only "man", with four beautiful ladies with me! (hohohohoohoho! ;p). Actually, I bring Cikgi Nyz with her friends from UK to visit one of my favorite country, Italia. Many things bizarre happened. One of it was when Cikgi Nyz said she was thirsty, and there were no drinks machines at the women dorms or any shops inside the campsite that were still opened at midnight. Me neither, no sign of any "Selecta" machine inside the men dorm. We went out and took some air, and suddenly, one man came and gave us Salam. He was the guardian. Introducing himself as Said, an Egyptian who works there, he asked us whether he can treat us a drinks! He went back into his office, and bring us one bottle of mineral water, one bottle of gas still water and a fruit juice! We exchanged our address, and took a photos. That's how Cikgi Nyz's wish was granted on the spot!

With Brother Said at the camp site

Secondly, after visiting Pisa, we were going to move to Lucca. We took a bus, packed with the tourists and Italians. There was a man, in 50's who keeps looking to me. Italian. I smiled back to him. I thought he was trying to be nice to me. There were also others tourists, including two Americans , a man in the late 60's with his wife. The bus was moving, and in 10 minutes, it stopped in the bus stand. The door opened, but someway, I thought the American was pushed so hard by the passengers from inside the bus, that made him jumped outside. I saw also his wallet dropped on the road near his feet. The truth is that, that Italian, who kept looking to me, was trying to pickpocket his wallet, but that American reacted so quickly that he managed to grab his hand and make it loose his wallet. That Italian was then running away. No chance for him that day.

Italian Tuna Pizza at Florence: Not so good. I honestly prefers Pizza Hut!!!! ;p

They proud of this red horse. Me too. Because I'm Italian. LOL

I've heard many same incidents happen in Italy, but this one really make nervous. Quickly, I checked my bag, and "amazingly", the zip was opened! I was sure that I had zipped it before entering into the bus. Luckily, my handset and my passports were still there. I looked at a guy behind me, but I can't guess his reaction seems he wore the sun glasses (I was ready to punch his face, really!!!). But after thinking a while, maybe it was that man, who unzipped my bag when I was entering the bus for the first time. I think he was waiting the time when will I turn my back to him so he can grab anything from my unzipped bag! (I heard Malaysian passport can be sold really expensive in the black market! )

That incident happened at this bus stop. I learn many things here!

Third thing happened was when we booked a cheap hostel (B&B) for the last night in Italy. Initially, we have to share with other couples, because the women dorm was already full. So we will be 4 inside every dorm. When we arrived, the guardian said that he will give us another room. So he took us in car, and searched every single hostel and hotel around Pisa. We were quite disappointed as the previous one is 10 minutes from Pisa tower. He said that the couples, who were should have shared the room with us, had smoked the cannabis, (candu maaa! ;p) and made a total mess in the room. Finally, we found a hostel, with a nice dorm for these Malay ladies, and a good one for me! Moreover, it is nearer to the tower! The price was more expensive, but we paid only the price we have booked for the previous hostel. We paid only 25 euros each, instead of 40!

View from my dorm: I was the last to wake up in that morning, but still manage to snap some beautiful photos! heheheh

I was ready to make some Silat demo in front of the Pisa tower, as what Cikgu Azizan suggested me to show Gayong is everywhere. But I don't know why, I have the instinct that somehow, Gayong will "come" to this country. Maybe in a year, or more. Who knows! Only God knows best. But I hope my instinct is right! I hope that lucky "Cikgu" will be the one who realize this to happen. *Hope to see other version of my "Gayong Blues: Amok at the Eiffel Tower" = Amok at the Pisa Tower!!!!

They got this genuine leather "Cemeti", sold at 7.50 euros! I bought one in case having some "stubborn" Gayong students! hehehehe

Well, time to come back to Paris. Exhausted, but happy! Oh God, I almost forgot that tomorrow morning I have a train from Paris to Lille. I got a Gayong seminar with anak Gayong there! *traveling with these ladies made me a total psycho. The Shopaholics! Arggghhh&@@#*^$£*§!!!!!

Io mi chiamo Pedro Leonardo.
Ciao ciao Italia!!!! ;)

Aidilfitri Celebration: Deputy Ambassador's House

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI! ;)

20th September 2009, Sunday morning, at 9am: We all gathered at Cik Sharina's house, near the Malaysian Embassy. Some photos during the celebration...

Eiffel in the morning

No bus on sunday: need to go get a RER (train)

Waiting at the station

Aidilfitri prayer and sermon

BBQ for children

BBQ for us! hehehhehehe

All "Bapak-Bapak" were waiting for the grilled lambs...

Raya food...

....and cookies!

The end of the day, we went to students open house.

Gayong Teacher, Master Student

Université Paris X Nanterre: Pôle Scientifique et Technologique

Alhamdoulillah..... thank you Allah for this Aidilfitri gift! I was waiting for my Master exam result since last Friday. I got no news, until today, the 3rd day of Aidilfitri. A friend of mine, Yan, called me and told me that I've passed my Master. Alhamdoulillah! Alhamdoulillah! Alhamdoulillah!

Damien, Me & Yacine.
Master Energie et Propulsion Aérospatiale et Terrestre...

As a Gayong teacher in France, I have another obligation, which is more important as a JPA sponsored student: My studies. We are sent here, for doing 7 years engineering course until obtaining our Degrees and Master in science. Accomplishing this "task" is always the priority. What I fear most is, when we fail in our studies, people will blame everything, including my Silat and religious activities.



Before coming to France, my Masyaikh said to me once. There is only three "Niat" (intention) that one must have before going to live oversea, or if not, it won't be a Ibadah for us. Searching for the Rezk, Talabal 'Ilm, wa Da'wah IlAllah. (working, studying and preaching). It is undeniable that Silat Seni Gayong is attached with Islam, as the Malay people is Moslem. So it is really important to make people knows the "true" Islam through Gayong. There is tolerance, and Silaturrahim inside Gayong. It is not only the art of War, but it is more the art of avoiding the War. The Jihad, is one of Islam. But there are THE RULES of performing the Jihad. The Hudud is also one of Islam, but there are THE RULES must be respected! Through Gayong, we create the links and permit us to show the truth, and live in harmony with people with different believes and faiths.

Buruknya Uni aku ni..... hahhahaha

The reality is that, doing studies in France is challenging. As long as I concern, some Master course in other countries is quite much more "easier". Typical french education system, too much mathematical demonstration, less applications. Five days per week, 8am to 6pm. Once per week, normally on Friday, we got examination (continuous exam). The attendance is compulsory. 3 absence consecutively without MC, you will find your self kicked out from the university. And of course, no English at all! (I am the best student during English lesson! hehehehehe)

Ville d'Avray

When I was in INTEC, Shah Alam, I was a student of American Degree Foundation Program/ American Top University, batch 7. It was a year after 11 September that I should have flown there. But my destiny is here in France. I made my Istikharah prayer first to choose, between Ohio State University in Columbus, or France, and what I saw in the dream is what I see in France. Everything is "Maktoub", and the "Maktoub" is always the best for us.

I am wondering if I continued my studies to United States. I would have been the best friend of Cikgu Sam, Joel and Jen! Or if I came to United Kingdom, Cikgu Ariffin, Sulaiman and Amira would be the people that I'll hang out with! ;) But the destiny said that, I came here in France, and bring back Gayong after the time of Cikgu Mufti Ansari, and have two man beside me, Benjamin and Daoud....

OK OK, I don't know what am I writing now actually.. but the thing is that, I'm writing all this today just to say that how relieve I feel after hearing that good news...!

SENI KAPAK : Weapon of War

An axe is a tool that every house has. It is used to cut the bones and meats, woods, coconuts and even to replace a task of a hammer. In history proves that axe and hammer was used widely in the war. Since the creation of armor and shield, the need to used the "protector-breaker" was high. In Malay tradition, a weapon like Cokmar or war hammer is known to be used to hit the soldier with the shield.

There are many variation of axe, depending on the culture and the civilization. Single axe, or double head axe exists, or even long shaft axe and it's family (halberd, Bill, Bisento, Dagger-axe, Guan Dao, Lochaber axe (Jeddart axe), Naginata, Poleaxe etc.

Serangan Kapak

When the legendary Hang Tuah was still really young, there was an incident where a man ran amok in the village with his machete. Her mother called him to come inside their house, but Hang Tuah,as brave as a lion, took his axe which he used to chop down the trees.He walked towards the man and defeated the man by using the Kapak. The historians said that, there are some indications in this story. First: An axe, is a villager's tool. 2nd: Hang Tuah was already talented in Silat even before he started learning it from Adiputra in the cave. 3rd: Defeat a "normal" enemy, one doesn't use the Keris. Keris normally used during a duel face to face with a Panglima or a strong Pendekar.

Benjamin & me

Kapak also one of the regular weapons that Kelantanese always bring. Kapak Binjai, a small size Kapak was kept at the one's waist. Kapak is used to attack the hard part of human body, while a sword or a machete were used only to cut the softer parts like meat and muscles. The head, vertebrate, tibia, and all bones are the target of Kapak's attack.

Selabun & Kapak

Blocking, striking, turning, hitting and "stabbing" is easy using the Kapak. But the more difficult is to throw it to the target correctly, and the most difficult is to "grab" the flying Kapak thrown towards us. I personally had a really hard days to train this (when I was in Malaysia), but finally in France, I found a Kapak specially made for throwing. It is made totally based on the axe of the American Indian, and it is light too!

counter attack

Seems this kind of weapon generates much damage when accidentally fall on the Dojo's tatami or wood parquet, we practice it rarely. However, the Pentas, the Kuncian or the Asas are those movements that suitable to do inside the Dojo (Gelanggang).

There are many others war weapons that I'm interested with to integrate inside our training. We have ordered some traditional shields (perisai), flail (belantan berantai) and also manriki (gada-gada). Eagerly waiting to receive it as soon as possible! ;) They will be my new toys for the coming months! ;)

Flail / Fleau (belantan berantai): one of my French favorite weapon! ;)


Cokmar (maces) is one of the Royal weapons in Malaysia

mankiri gusari, a Ninja weapon: sort of Gada-Gada, one war weapon Silat Seni Gayong