SENI PISAU

photo from Cikgu Nasir's blogspot

Pisau (knife) has many forms in Malay archipelago (Nusantara). Every tribe and ethnic of Malay has their own type of Pisau. Every form indicates the philosphies of the tribe. Since Pisau is one of the most frequent tool that is used in daily life, the Tukang (blade maker) makes the blade and the holder depending on it's use. As one of my Master said, a man must have a real Pisau, at least during the Raya Haji (Eidul Kabir) eventhough he doesn't know how to use it to fight, as he can participate during the sacrifice ceremony of the animals. In Silat Seni Gayong, we use both a single blade type and double blades type of Pisau. However, the double blades Pisau will be taught after one has completed learning the single blade.

Dato' Mahaguru had arranged a brilliant learning system in Gayong. We start with Asas Pisau, which exist in many forms, of 14 steps, 21 steps or simply the Senaman Pisau (exercice of Pisau). Then, we learn the Elakan Pisau (escape), the most basic technics, but actually the most important training that one must make it as a daily rutine. In Pisau attack, we grab rarely the enemy's hand, as it can be dangerous to do so. The best thing to do during the Pisau attack is by blocking and avoiding the attack in certain natural steps and hit the enemy back during the right moment. This is the purpose of Elakan Pisau.

photo from Gayong Warisan

After having a "good habits" of avoiding the Pisau, then student can learn the Kombat Pisau and Buah Pisau. Kombat is a punch-claws-elbow-kick and bare hand technics to bring down the enemy, while the Buah Pisau is a lock type Pisau counter attack.

The best moment for most of the student is the Pentas Pisau: a choreography or prepared combat. In the syllabus, students are taught how to counter attack the knife barehandedly, to counterattack the knife with a knife, and to counter attack two knives with two knives. Finally, one must train the technic of knife throwing of a static and moving object. A Pentas of counter attack of the Simbat (stick) with two knives is one of the conclusion of the syllabus of Pisau.



In a real street fighting with a knife, one can't avoid from being cut, except that you are so good and fast, which is not the case for everyone. That's why in Silat Seni Gayong we learn also how to minimize how many times we are stabbed or cut, and also to protect the vital points and minimizing the injuries. Maybe some of my students were not aware about this, but we had done some hand drills with the knives last time as a "echauffement'' (warming up) before learning the Asas.



InsyaAllah, God willing, I'll look forward to explain more about other type of Pisau. ;)

Lille seminars

Dear Carole, thank you for those photos. Hope next seminar we'll have enough time for the interview. ;) InsyaAllah. Should spend more time to snap photos, but seems everyone was busy with their Kombat Kaki and Kerambit, we just manage to take only few during the break! ;)

Selengan/ Simbat Suk

Christophe with Keris



Ben with Keris

Raya Aidul Adha

PENCAK SILAT BELANTARA PARIS

Special performance from Fawwaz, Puteri and Danish for Aidul Adha.

Harimau

Helang

Monyet

Ular

Kala Jengking

Buaya

Gajah

Kuda

Kura-Kura

Naga Barat

Naga Timur

I celebrate Aidul Adha in Paris with Cik Faris's family, sight seeing the town with Cik Imran's family, Malaysian friends from Marne La Vallee, some French Silat mates and local Moslem community. We performed our Aidul Adha prayer at the Mosque in 15th Arrondissement, stop at the Metro Charles Michel. I wish everyone Eid Mubarak, Khair wa Ghafarah fil kulli Am insyaAllah.

But I think I start to become "popular" among kids here. Their favorite ''Daddy Kim"!hhehhehehehe. Three things they always ask me to do: Magic tricks, Drawings, and Silat. It is so fun to do Silat with those kids, especially when the parents were not around! ;)

BUNGA TERATAI & BUNGA TANJUNG

Bunga Tanjung dari anak2 Gayong Simpang Pulai...

Silat Seni Gayong is a hard form of Silat. Different from any other Silat Kelantan, Silat Seni Gayong doesn't have a Langkah Sembah, and we don't start with learning the Langkahs first, whether Tiga, Empat or Lima like in traditional Silat. In Gayong, we learn directly Tumbuk Pintal Tali (punch), Tangkis Sisi (side block), Pancung Dayung (slicing), Tumbuk Bertapak (moving punch), Tendang Sula (front kick), Tendang Tolak Lintang (side kick) and Sepak Layang/Tebar Jala (roundhouse kick). Not to forget the famous Tiger Cub Exercices, before we are taught the Kunci, Kombat and Pukulan.

Bunga Tanjung

But when I discovered that we have actually a sort of "Langkah Sembah", known as Bunga Tanjung ('Bay' Flower), I was too excited. Bunga Tanjung is not the only one. The other one is Bunga Teratai (Lotus). Both Bunga Teratai and Bunga Tanjung has the signification behind the movements. It is said that both of the Jurus actually describe the principle lessons in learning Islam. The Aqidah (faith), Ibadah (religious practices), Akhlaq (good manners), and the Sirah (histories).

In Bunga Teratai movement, for example, shows the litterature and civilization of Malay Sultanate at that time. We make our Sembah (hands positions in front of publics), with 3 different ways, to celebrate our guest whether he is the King, Ulama', Politician, Masters, Parents, our our partners. There is also a memory how Hang Tuah tricked the Emperor of China, so that he could see the face of the princess Hang Li Po, in the Long Bean's story. It was forbidden to anyone to look to the face of the royal family, but Hang Tuah was obliged to verify first whether the princess was as beautiful as what he had heard.

China Dragon

Talking about the close relationship between China and Tanah Melayu (Malay Land) during that time, the Emperor had gift Hang Tuah a present with an image of a dragon (if i am not mistaken it was a cloth). Since that Silat Seni Gayong, beleived to be inherited from that great legend, the symbol of the Dragon was used as the image of Silat Seni Gayong. It is a double meaning also, seems when the late Dato' Meor was born, he came out with a twin of a small tiny serpent-like creature. His 'twin' was kept in for some times by his parents, but then was released into the ocean. That's why the late Dato' Meor said the Dragon, is the power at the water, the sea and the ocean. For those who had heard the stories what happened during the Khatam Keris that Dato' Meor had done at the sea, you know what type of Dragon am I trying to say.....!!! ;)

So we had done some extra training on the Bunga Teratai and Bunga Tanjung yesterday, during the Gayong seminar at Lille, with some technics derived from those Jurus. Every step in the Jurus can be developed into various technics. The first type of Bunga Tanjung that I learned (in 1997) was the actual Bunga tanjung that is used during the Gayong competition throughout Malaysia, which is the official Bunga Tanjung of most of Gayong school at Selangor, I think. (I got the message last time about the seminar of standardization of Bunga Teratai and Bunga Tanjung at Taman Nirwana training centre of Master Kahar and his son Cikgu Jazwan, but I didn't manage to be there to see the latest standard form of the Jurus in Selangor...)

Bunga Teratai

The second type comes from Cikgu Azizan, that he learned from Ayahanda Amin Hamzah. It was the first time I saw the Teratai form in Bunga Tanjung, and apparently it is one of the Pecahan of Asas Gerakan, with the tampar harimau, tumpah beras, tembi siku, pijak bara, rajawali, main daun and so on. The Asas Gerakan of Ayahanda Amin can be seen at youtube of the channel "chulahitam" of Cikgu Azizan, showing the last Gayong syllabus (in 80's) that was presented in front of Dato' Meor....



The third form that I learned was from Cikgu Nasir at his house with other Anak Gayong Warisan. It is the Bunga Teratai and Bunga Tanjung that taught by Pak Ngah Izahar from Batu Kurau. Cikgu Nasir, Cikgu Muzairi and his students, had been many times invited to Istana (the palace) of Kelantan, to perform the Bunga Teratai and Bunga Tanjung in front of the King during the traditional ceremonies of various events. The unic part of this from of Bunga Tanjung is that it use the Keris during the performance......Beautiful!!!! ;)


The Jurus's purpose is also for the Tenaga Dalam (internal force), with a specific method of breathing while executing the fast and slow movement. It is also a Senaman, the exercice to warm up or warm down before and after the training , to re-place the "Urat" (muscles/veins) to it's original place where it should be to avoid any post-training injuries. Especially here in France, now it starts getting cold, we absolutely need a good Senaman before getting on the harder moves!

PENDEKAR CILIK (small fighter)

Melentur Buluh Biarlah Dari Rebungnya...

(If you want to bend the bamboo, bend it from the beginning)

That's the Malay expression showing the way how to educate a child. I like the videos of our brothers at Gayung Pusaka training centre, which if I am not mistaken, the child must be the son of Cikgu Jebat or any from the family of Cikgu Majid Mat Isa. The videos show that how we can train a children in Silat at very young age.

This is my youngest student, the little Mikail bin Abu Bakar (1 year old). Hhehehehehehe. Abes aaa Abang Burn, dah cop dah Mikail ni jadi anak buah!!!! ;)

Gurau jaaa nooo...! ;)

MY SACRED SIMBAT

Pentas Simbat

The first weapon that I learned in Silat Seni Gayong is Simbat. But when I was in Kelantan, we just call it as Tongkat (pronounced as Tu-Kak). The interesting part of learning it is to search it. We were asked to search it our selves while were given the advices which kind of wood is suitable to be used as training tool.

When I learned with a Master of Silat Tongkat, my father and I went into the forest just only to find a straight Anak Langsat. The leeches, buffalos, mosquitos and wildboars were our company during the whole sunny day. The Anak Langsat is harder than rattan, but heavier. I peeled the skin, and dried it under the shadow for a week before it can be used for training. The Nibung wood also is as good as the Anak Langsat.

Luckily for our first Tongkat of Gayong, we found it at a furniture carpenter after biking our bicycle for 30 minutes from our Gelanggang. It was the only rattan shops in the town. Paying about RM1 (euro 0,25 cts), we found our first love! We choosed our selves the diameter, how long, the weight and the skins. It is so personal that everyone of us had named it as they like!

The best moment was the first time my Jurulatih taught me the Asas Tongkat. It was a calm afternoon after the Asar prayer, and we were training like always at the volley ball court- bare feet. The sensation of finally had the chance to learn the first weapon in Gayong after 2 years training of bare hand Kuncian, Pukulan, Elakan and Anak Harimau was so intense. Eventhough it was only an Asas (Kata/Jurus/Gerakan) of 10 steps, we repeated it day and night. We even trained hardly to rotate the Tongkat with Pusing Luar (outside rotation), Pusing Dalam Luar (a V like rotation) and Pusing Jari (in front rotation). It permitted us to familiarize with the Tongkat/Simbat before the day come that we learn the Elakan Tongkat, Pukulan Tongkat, Kuncian Tongkat and the famous Pentas Tongkat.....

In Silat Seni Gayong, we use three size of sticks. Simbat Suk, Simbat and Tembung. Simbat Suk is a hand-to-elbow size, quite similar with the Kali/Escrima rattan stick. Simbat is a feet-to-bellybutton size rattan, while the tembung is a feet-to-head size stick. The Simbat Suk is taught in Gayong whether using single or double at the same time. The Gayong demo that attracted me to join Gayong in the first time was a Pentas of Tembung VS Double Simbat Suk played by the late Cikgu Zulkarnain and Cikgu Adi (both are the sons of Pak Su Awang Daud)

I have many memories in learning the Simbat.One day, I was going to the Gelanggang with my bicycle, passing by a Buddist temple in my village. There was a rocky lane, with the green paddy field at the right and my left. At the middle of the small lane, a big black dog was sleeping. I bet it was a crazy one (Anjing Gila), ugly face, with lots of saliva coming out continuously. One bite could make me suffer the epilepsy in the whole of my life. My right hand hold a Simbat, while other one hold the handle. As I approached closer, the dog started to stand up, and barked once. I speed my bicycle, and started to pedal my bicycle faster. Warff! Warrff!!! That beast was warning me to not to pass by him. But I was too impatient to go to the Gelanggang to learn Simbat, and the dog had already woke up. Too late. Impossible to turn back, I just gave the my best pedals ever that could win any bicycle olympic game. The beast jumped to bite my turning leg, but he missed it and hit something at back with his head and almost made me fall from my moving bicycle. I tought I heard my heart's beat and was amazed how fast did I pedal my bicycle! hehehhehe. The dog chased my for almost 100 metres, and only God know how many prayers did I send to him, until the dog stopped just after I passed by the temple. I saw someone at the temple, smilling I think. Instead of thinking the dog-chased thing is funny, he should thank me that I didn't stop my bicycle and hit his dog to death!!!!! WArrrrggghhhHHHhh!!!! (I'm the incridible Hak-im)

Don't be surprise if I can show you one day a Crazy Dog Jurus...! hheheheh

Dogs are dangerous creatures at Malaysia & Indonesia...

I still remember, one afternoon after coming back from Silat training at the Gelanggang Gong Serapat. I was in the bathroom taking my bath preparing for Maghrib prayer. Suddenly my sister knocked the door so hard and shouted "Ular! Ular!" A snake?? What??! I was so shocked and jumped on the water container (luckily I didn't break my leg), while looking directly to the shoes size hole on the bathroom floor. I hang up onto the rusty window and observing intentively if any snake could come out from any of fifteen holes on the floor.

I was then told by my sister's voice that the snake was at our neighbour's house. Damn..!. I risked to be humiliated if the bathroom door was opened. Totally naked and hang on the air wouldnot a cool image of a school headboy ... lol! I went out, grabbed my Silat trousers, favorite white T-shirt and not to forget, my sacred Silat Simbat. It was a 4 double storey terrace houses in the school, so the entrance door is only 5 meters from our's. When I entered, their three little girls were crying histerically on the sofa, and the mother, armed by a kitchen broom, was trying to stop a fierce and raging shiny black Cobra from approaching the rest room. My mom, My father and the husband of that women were attending a school end-of-the-year party at the school hall. I was the only man at that time there. Yes, the only solo hero, the savior, or maybe the martyr.

I heard that 2 to 3 mg Cobra venom could kill a human in few minutes. My left brain started the calculation which kilometre will I die between the road of the house and the town public hospital after the venom was injected in my vein. My right brain, at the same time trying to remember all the Simbat moves that I just learned. The mother step back, and me, like in a tales of a warrior facing a black dragon in a dark cave, swing the Simbat as powerful as my hand could. But the Cobra was faster. I miss the target, and it used that chance trying to inject it's venom into my leg in a lightning moves attack. God, I was lucky enough to move my right leg in time. I try to hit back, but I swear of God, he was good. A great "A" warrior Cobra, he escaped again my Simbat. I think had attacked him more than 20 times but failed to hit, while he succeeded to make me stepped back 4 meters, approaching the rest room, with the scream of three little girls, and the screams of my sister and the Madam everytime that snake miss his attack to my leg.

I found that I was too nervous, and I was shivering. I felt no more my hands every time I hit the floor. But this time, I took a few seconds of "Bismillahirrahmanirrahim", a nice and warm oxygen, and a precise powerful Simbat swing. Boom, I hit the Dragon. It fell, but stood again at the level of my thigh after regaining it's instant energy. I hit the second time, and third time. It fell, but didn't wake up again. Suddenly, I felt sympathy, when looking to it's weak eyes. My Simbat was covered by it's blood. My cats, attracted by the noise and the smells, came and investigated the crime scene with their burst fur, looking for any living prove.

That time I just remembered that The Prophet (pbuh) didn't allow us to kill the snake in the house, fearing that it is maybe a Jinn appeared as a snake. We must say first Salam for the snake, and ask him to leave the house. If it leaves the house, let it go as it is the Jinn. But if it resists, and try to attack, then we are allowed to kill it if there is no other way to make it leave or catch it alive, because it is a snake.

Because of that, I had the difficulties of sleeping and always had a shock if hearing any hiss sound for almost 2 weeks. One local tales say that if we kill a Cobra, his partner will come to revenge the death. In 5 stories I heard, 3 were the case of revenge!!! *even the Cobra in Malaysia behaves like Malay! lol ;p

That sacred Simbat, was displayed on my wall. Even the blood trace was still can be seen. I lend to one of my student here in France when they were at Malaysia, to bring back for Simbat training at Lille. But unfortunately, he stopped training and dissappeared with my Simbat. Damn. (I'll find you until the worm's hole!!! :aku cari kau sampai ke lubang cacing sekalipun!!!).

Bengkung System

I took those info from the PLKU website. It stands for Pusat Latihan Kajang Utama where Cikgu Wan Fauzi and Cikgu Idris teach.

BENGKUNG

Hitam Kosong (Black Novice)

Awan Putih
(White Cloud)

Pelangi Hijau

(Green Rainbow)

Pelangi Merah

(Red Rainbow)

Pelangi Merah I-III Chula

(Red Rainbow with Stripes)

Pelangi Kuning
(Yellow Rainbow)

Pelangi Kuning Chula I-V
(Yellow Rainbow with Stripes)

Pelangi Hitam Harimau Chula Sakti I-VI
(Tiger Black Rainbow with Stripes)

(The Highest Rank that a Gayong Master can achieve nowadays)



Pelangi Hitam Harimau Chula Sakti VII

(ONLY FOR THE LATE MAHAGURU)

The First Web Gayong France

I made this web in french using the Frontpage when I was at Montlucon, (small town at the centre of France). My french was still sucks! Luckily it was still comprehensible! hehehehehhe

This is the webpage that help me to promote Silat Seni Gayong during my difficult early years in France... oh la la... what a sentimental value! huurrmmm.... ;)

Dedicate to My Brother Yohann

As a student, we always have bad and good time, sad and fun days, and evil and angel mates. The best time I had as a student at university was during my Bachelor's degree year at Lieusaint. We were really close, and we were cursed of not having any girl in our course!!! LOL.
Thank God that we were near the T.C (business & secretary) faculty so we could still look at the beauties of the God creation of those jolies mademoiselles every break time! ;)

But last friday, I was shocked with a bad news of the deceased of one of our best man. I was deeply saddened with the news. Our brother Yohann, had a terrible car accident when driving from England coming back to France. Innalillahi wainna ilaihi raajiun. (From God we came, to Him we return). We paid our last respect to our Yohann. Que la paix soit avec toi mon frere! For his family, all of my sincere condolence and Que Dieu vous donne la force et le courage pour surmonter ces heures difficiles, et qu'Il vous donne un recompense de votre patience....

For us, we keep our brothership for the sake of our missing brother. Once we know each other, it is for eternity.... I dedicate this clip for Yohann, and for us.....

The Power of Adat: SANDANG & BENGKUNG

THE ADAT OF SILAT SENI GAYONG

Majlis Ilmu Bersama Ayahanda Amin Hamzah: Ijazah Mandi Minyak

Silat Seni Gayong is a formal martial art federation that exist by law in Malaysia and in international. But it is also a martial art that owned by the late MAHAGURU. Everything that concerning the Silat Seni Gayong was decided by him. He had the total right and the veto power to make the rules as he wished because he was the founder, and we were (and are) his students. But after he passed away, the late MAHAGURU chosed the late Cikgu Siti Kalsom as the Ibu Gayong (Gayong Mother: all of the women's affairs in Silat Seni Gayong), the late of Cikgu Mat Lazim as the chief of Adat and Gurulatih (permission to conduct the tradition rituals and formalizing the national syllabus) and the late Cikgu Razali Salleh as the chief of administration (expanding Silat Seni Gayong everywhere and legally)

This shows us that Silat Seni Gayong has the rules and ranking. It is not based only on the Perlembagaan (rules voted during the Annual General Meeting) but it is bounded with the power of Adat (Traditional rules made by the late MAHAGURU). It is not a politic party, but a Malay traditional body that serves under the King. It means that the power of AGM cannot surpass the wish of the late MAHAGURU. Everything that he ordered us, in the Wasiat,(letters) must be followed to conduct the federation after his death.

That's why the system of Sandang (shoulder sash) exist in Silat Seni Gayong. Sandang shows the one's ranking in the system (referring to the book written by Cikgu Wan Ahmad Fauzi). There are 5 types of Sandang in Silat Seni Gayong.



THE SANDANG:

Sandang Protokol

The first one is Sandang Protokol (Politic/Protocol), given to the Malay King, Prince, or Politician as the "protector" (patron) of the federation. They are the symbol of Silat Seni Gayong, as the purpose is to serve the King and the people.


This type of Sandang is divided into:


1) Seri Tri Buana Chula Negara

Seri Tri Buana Chula Sakti Purba Negara (Agung protector)
Seri Tri Buana Chula Sakti Bintang Negara (Royal protector)

2) Seri Mahkota Agung Gayong
Seri Mahkota Agung Gangga Chula Sakti (Imam Khalifah Agung)
Seri Mahkota Agung Gangga Pelangi Sakti (Deputy Imam Khalifah Agung)
Seri Mahkota Agung Buana Gangga Chula Sakti (Chief of Imam Khalifah)
Seri Mahkota Agung Buana Chula Sakti (Imam Khalifah)
Seri Mahkota Agung Buana Pelangi Sakti (Deputy Imam Khalifah)

Sandang MAHAGURU

The second type is Sandang Mahaguru. It is only for the late MAHAGURU Dato'Meor Abdul Rahman and no one would have the right to wear this Sandang after his death. His personal Sandang's name is:

Seri Tri Buana Chula Sakti Gangga Negara

Sandang Berjawatan

The third type is Sandang Berjawatan (Position in the administration), given to the Chief, Secretary, Board of Adat, etc. The sandang is like Imam Gelanggang, Srikandi Gelanggang,Khalifah Muda, Khalifah Besar, Waris Beradat etc.

This kind of Sandang is devided into 4 types:

1) Lembaga Waris Amanah (Board of Trustee)

Seri Mahkota Agung Chula Gangga Sakti (Waris Amanah Mutlak)

Seri Mahkota Agung Chula Pelangi Sakti (Member of Lembaga Waris Amanah/Pemegang Amanah Waris)

Seri Mahkota Agung Chula Bintang Sakti (Member of Lembaga Waris Amanah)

2) Majlis Beradat Kebangsaan (National Board of Tradition)

a) Jawatan Kuasa Agung (Board of Administration)
i) Seri Mahkota Agung Gangga Sakti (Chairman)
ii) Seri Mahkota Agung Chula Sakti (Deputy Chairman)
iii)Seri Mahkota Agung Chula Pelangi (Chief Khalifah Besar/Chief Setiausaha Adat)
iv)Seri Mahkota Agung Bintang Pelangi (Chief Waris Beradat/Chairman Majlis Ibu Gayong)
v) Seri Mahkota Agung Relang Pelangi (Chief Waris Beradat/Chairman Lembaga Beradat Negeri)





b) Majlis Kehakiman Gayong (Board of Justice)
i) Seri Mahkota Agung Pelangi Sakti (Kipas Emas: Golden Fan)





c) Majlis Perlimau Kebangsaan (National Board of Perlimau)
i) Seri Mahkota Agung Cahaya Pelangi Sakti (Member of Board of Penapis Amanah)
ii) Seri Mahkota Agung Cahaya Pelangi (Chief Wakil Beradat)
iii)Seri Mahkota Pelangi Sakti (Wakil Beradat)





3) Lembaga Beradat Negeri (State Board of Tradition)
Seri Mahkota Agung Relang Pelangi (Chairman)
Seri Mahkota Chula Sakti (Khalifah Besar)
Seri Chula Sakti (Waris Beradat)
Seri Pelangi Sakti (Chief of Khalifah)
Seri Bintang Sakti (Chief of Beradat)
Seri Relang Sakti (Khalifah)
Seri Relang Pelangi (Imamah)
Seri Cahaya Sakti (Khalifah Muda)
Seri Cahaya Pelangi (Imamah Muda)
Seri Sakti (Imam Gelanggang)
Seri Pelangi (Naqibah Gelanggang)





4) Majlis Gurulatih Kebangsaan (National Board of Syllabus)
Pengarah (no specified sandang)
Timbalan Pengarah (no specified sandang)
Panglima Seri Setia Sakti (Chief of Secretary)
Panglima Seri Geliga Sakti (Executive Members)
Panglima Seri Amanah Sakti (Board Members)

Sandang Kegurulatihan

The third type is Sandang Kegurulatihan (Ranking in terms of syllabus and the power of teaching and grading the students) given to those who has a certain level of knowledge of the art of Silat Seni Gayong. Panglima Geliga Sakti, Panglima Chula Hitam, Panglima Pelangi Hitam, Singa Malaya, Panglima Hitam Chula Sakti....

Panglima Hitam Chula Sakti (Chief of Director of Gurulatih)
Panglima Singa Malaya (Director of Gurulatih)
Panglima Pelangi Hitam (Highest Gurulatih)
Panglima Chula Hitam (Senior Gurulatih)
Panglima Geliga sakti (Gurulatih)
Srikandi Geliga Sakti (Gurulatih)
Panglima Amanah Sakti (Jurulatih)
Srikandi Amanah Sakti (Jurulatih)

Sandang Khas

The forth type is Sandang Khas (special title) given to certain Gurulatih that has certain special abilities and skills in the way they "play" Silat Seni Gayong. Those title like Harimau Kumbang, Naga Bora, Lipan Bara, Kuda Gila etc...

Harimau Singa Berantai (Chained Lion and Tiger)
Kuda Gila (Crazy Horse)

Singa Berantai (Chained Lion)
Naga Bora (Wind Dragon)
Harimau Berantai (Chained Tigre)
Lipan Bara (Red Centipede)
Kumbang Hitam (Black Phanter)

THE BENGKUNG:



The Bengkung (belt) starts from Hitam Kosong, Awan Putih, Pelangi Hijau, Pelangi Merah (I-III), Pelangi Kuning (I-V), Hitam Mulus, Pelangi Hitam Chula Sakti (I-VI), and Bengkung MAHAGURU (VII). This belt system, obtained by passing the grading, shows the level of syllabus that one had mastered. But there is two types of lesson in Silat Seni Gayong. The first one is the Syllabus. This lesson is used for one during the grading for the certificate and belt to be a legal and licensed Gurulatih or Jurulatih.

The second type of lesson is the non-syllabus which is taught by the Masters but not for the purpose of grading. Normally, it can have a Khatam (graduation ceremony) or not. Some Khatam could be a whole day of technics demonstration, a ritual bath with flower, receiving certain Ilmu to be practiced or a simple Aqad (shake hands) with the Masters while offering him some gifts.

GAYONG INTERNATIONAL

Any of Gayong group outside Malaysia must be registered with the Federation of Silat Seni Gayong Headquarters at Kuala Lumpur, after the permission of the Board of Trustee. Any certified Gurulatih (Gurulatih Gayong with the Sijil Gurulatih) can open Gayong school outside of Malaysia and ask the Affiliation Member Certificate with Gayong HQ. Traditionally, as what Cikgu Mufti Ansari says, the Sandang is given ONLY to Malay, not to the Anak Gayong from other countries since it is the power of Adat. However, as it is agreed by the board of trustee, some Anak Gayong from outside Malaysia were awarded the Sandang after showing a great motivation, loyalty and clear comprehension about the Malay Adat, culture, Gayong syllabus and Malay language. In this case, any National Gayong Association outside Malaysia, for example Association Francaise Silat Seni Gayong, is considered only as a state to be compared to Malaysia. So the Sandang system that can be used, ONLY after the permission of the Board of Trustee, is based on the Lembaga Beradat Negeri (State Board of Tradition). The syllabus that must be applied must be verified by the Gurulatih that has the Sandang Kegurulatihan, while the administration must be headed by the Gurulatih that has the Sandang Berjawatan. But there are only certain type of Sandang that can be delivered to the Gayong practitioner outside Malaysia, depending on the country and the system. In all case, we must consult the Board of Turstee.

KEBATINAN: Is It Real?

One of the most frequent question from my student here is about the Kebatinan in Silat, especially in Silat Seni Gayong. Kebatinan comes from word Batin, meaning interior. When we talk about Silat, many modern parents in Malaysia refuse to let their children to learn it because of fearing that they will teach Kebatinan to their children. Kebatinan is always misunderstood, and is always related to their "mental illness or bad behavior" (Isim) happens to the practitioners due to the failure of the "Ilmu" that they practice.

Kebatinan does exist. It exist even since the arrival of Islam in the Nusantara. The Pagans, Buddist, Hinduist, Animist and so on were already practiced sort of ritual ceremonies and practices, related to the spirits and gods that they believed can help them being stronger, invisible, incredible and thousands of virtues that they wish. It even exist since the first man created on earth, the Prophet Adam (pbuh). In Quran we learn that how the two Angels, Harut and Marut came as a temptation for human being, of teaching the Sihr (black magic) that can breaks the love between husband and wife. We see how the Firaun (pharaoh) with his magicians were lost in the battle with the Prophet Musa (pbuh)after his stick turned up to be a real giant sneak to swallow all of the unreal moving snakes by the magicians.

In history, all of this things were proven. I was shocked to learn that one Imam in france doesn't beleive the existance of Sihr and Jinn. So what does he believe actually and how he can explain the word Sihr and other to publics in the view of Islam?

In Islam, we classified the "Ajaib" (supernatural) in a clear ways:

1)Mukjizat
2)Irhas
3)Keramat
4)Maunah
5)Ihadah
6)Istidraj
7)Sihir
8)Jin
9)Ain

1) Mukjizat is the supernatural abilities ONLY happens to the Rasul (Messengers of God)like the stick of the Prophet Musa turned up to be a giant snake or the travel of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)to Baitul Maqdis (Isra') and to Sidratul Muntaha and Arasy (Mi'raj) in the sky to see the God.

2) Irhas is the supernatural abilities happens ONLY to the Nabi (Prophets) that were selected to be the Rasul (Messengers) like the prophet Isa (Jesus pbuh) who talked to publics while he was just born, in defending the purity of his mother Maryam (Marie pbuh)

3) Keramat is for the religious people (Wali), obedient in God's path and live for him. It happens ONLY when the God wants, like the history of a group of man who slept in the caves for hundred of years after escaping from a tyran who wanted them to adore him as a God.

4) Maunah is for normal persons, whether he believes or not in God, like someone who survive an inch of car accident or one who falls from the skies accidently without materials but lands safely without any injuries.

5) Ihadah is an humiliation to the enemies of God, like Pharaoh who said that he will never die but still drown in the sea and the King Namrud who wanted to burn prophet Ibrahim (Abraham pbuh) but failed to do it.

6) Istidraj is the supernatural abilities happens to the sinners (which is can be the believers), or disbelievers, just before their time is end. It is like a warning for the sinners before it is too late, but sometimes it is misinterpreted by them as a "gift" of God. The Pharaoh and his army walked through the sea like prophet Mose pbuh and his fidels, just before they were all drown after that.

7) Sihr is the practices that ask the power to the Syaitan (satans). It use the Mentera (spells,charms,chants etc.) and normally ask the practitioner to do something forbidden in Islam.

8) Jinn, is the invisible creatures just like us, with many differents of course. Some are good, some are bad. They were created by God from the fire, the lightest and invisible form of flame, which is different from us created from the soil. There are some kind of Jinn called as "Qarin" (close company) that were born with us, our own twin (duplicates). The Jinns can manipulate us, but we also can manipulate them. It depends on who is stronger and smarter. One example of a boy, suddenly blinded after playing alone with his wood sword. It is done by the father of Jinn, whose child was accidently "hitted and hurt" by that boy. That boy, of course, didn't see that there is a child Jinn wanted to play with him.

9) Ainn, is the power that certain Human or Jinn has, with the "Hasad" (envy and jealous) to make others sick, failed in exam or lost in the his life, just by looking at him. Most of those who has this power do not realize what they are capable with. It can be a religous people, normal person or even the disbelievers. No ritual needed as it happens naturally. That's why the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) always recites the Doa (prayer) to his grandchilds Hassan and Hussin everytime going out. For example, a beautiful baby that doesn't stop crying because people who see him and gives him compliments without saying "Masyaallah" (as what God wants)





So, when we talk about the Kebatinan in Silat, we can distinguish them into two parts. The first one is "Ilmu Hitam" (black magic) and the second one is "Ilmu Putih"(white magic). The black magic is everything that relates to the spirits,demons,satans,and all of the bad motives behind it. The white magic, in the other hand, comes from Quran and Hadith. I've posted an article about the "Ruqya" last time. It is one of the practices to counter attacks those black magics. Here, one doesn't associate God with other creatures.

One of my master told me once, that there is three Ilmu in Silat. Selendang Putih, Selendang Merah and Selendang Hitam, which is I don't want to explain the details here. There is the Mentera to be recited whether at certain period of time, or at the moment that we want to use the power. Some "Mentera" (magic words) contain in them the association (Syirk) that must not be used. For example a Mentera that call a "Jembalang Tanah" (a spirit from the soil) during a Silat perlimau when I learned with a master (not in Gayong), I didn't practice it, as it is the Syirk.

However, there is some Mentera that we can use as it calls to God himself. It is like a Doa, with the mix of Arabic and Malay word. The Prophet Mohammad never told us that our Doa must be in Arabic. It is obligatory only during certain practice like Solat (daily prayers) or Khutbah Jumaat (Friday sermons). And God he understands any language that we use. One of the mentera that I use when massaging my legs or ribs that hurt after the training is the Solawat "Allahumma solli alaih Muhammad, wa a'la aalihi Muhammad"

Again, many europeen practitioner who went to learn Pencak Silat or Seni Silat especially in Indonesia, are confused between the Kebatinan of Islam, and the Kebatinan of Kejawen. Kebatinan of Kejawen is a "mix-religion" that practices the magics,mentera,rituals and so on. It is really important to learn the languange correctly and the Islam rightly before agreeing to dive into this Kebatinan world. Once your eyes were opened to see the invisible world, there is no turning back point.

There is funny thing about a group of interested French Maghribins that I met here in France. They want to learn Gayong, but refuse to Buka Gelanggang with me and even refuse to wear Gayong uniform that has the image of Dragon and Tiger. What interest them most is the technics, the self defense, not the culture. That's what they said to me. I taught them for couple of months, for free, only the self defense technics. but then I stopped as I am not willing to teach them the true art of Silat Seni Gayong to those arrogant and stubborn people.

Luckily (yaaayyy!!! ;p) in Silat Seni Gayong, we practices only the Wirid (Zikr) that helps us to make closer to God. We start our training with Al-Fatihah,Al-Ikhlas and solawat a'la Nabi. We end it with Doa. Other wirid that we practice is just only the additional Ibadah a part than the five obligatories in Islam (Syahadah, Solah, Syiam, Zakah and Hajj).

But the most important thing to us as Anak Gayong, is to train ourselves without thinking much on Kebatinan. God helps us when he wants. But for us, we must train so that it can be the "reason" that God will help us when we are in danger. Since this lesson of Kebatinan could be misused by the irresponsible persons, the access to this lesson is stricted only to the expert of Silat Seni Gayong, who is selected by the masters after verifying his purity and loyalty. But don't worry at all, we can still learn Gayong without learning the Kebatinan! It is like learning Aikido without converting to Shinto or mastering Shaolin Kung Fu without being a Buddist monks! lol ;p


**I am not saying that I am the expert of Kebatinan, but I'm writing all this to answer some of the questions that asked by my students. Take the good side from this, and the discussion is always open. Mohon ampun, mohan maaf dari semua.....

"CIKGU" : A TALK TO BE THOUGHT

Cikgu at a school....


I would like to talk a topic here, which must be clarified for the Anak Gayong from outside Malaysia. As we know, due to the different language and culture, and martial art background, people can misinterpret something that can lead to the misunderstanding.

One of the topic concerning of this matter is the title "Cikgu" in the Malay culture. We don't call an older folks by his names, but rather with the titles and his status in the society. The title "Dato'" for example, only can be given by the Sultan (the King) himself. We call the eldest brother as "Along" (meaning "sulong": the first child),"Alang", "Andak", "Angah", "Achik", "Ateh","Asu" for other childs.

The title "Cikgu", meaning a teacher. Those who teach at school, will be automatically called by the society as "Cikgu". My Mom and my Dad, for example, known as Cikgu Nah and Cikgu Noor by neighbours. We use this terms also in Silat. In Kelantan, it is rare to hear students call their Silat teacher as "Cikgu". We use more words like "Abe" (Abang)+ his name, meaning 'Big Brother' for young Silat teacher and "Ayoh" (Ayah)+his name, meaning 'father' for older Silat teacher.

However, in Silat Seni Gayong, this phenomena is different. "Cikgu" is a word that you use to show your respect to your teacher. It is like "Sensei" in Japanese culture, or "Sifu" in Chinese. This term, although not written in your belt certificate, will be automatically "delivered" to those Jurulatih or Gurulatih of Gayong that has at least a Gelanggang under him, while himself has a sufficient leven in Gayong in terms of his belt ranking or Sandang.

In general, those Jurulatih who has red belt, and has at least one Gelanggang that he teaches weekly or daily, and had passed the test of "Kegurulatihan" under a certified Gurulatih, can be called as "Cikgu". Those who has the certificate of "Pembantu Gurulatih" (assistant of Gurulatih), is formally called a Cikgu.

For me personally, I don't care whether people calls someone as Cikgu or not. I don't care those title, as it means nothing for us. How many Gayong seniors don't call them selves as Cikgu, but instead using more familiar name like "Tok Ayah","Tok","Ayah", "Pak", or "Ayahanda"? Title Cikgu don't give us any super power or special abilities. There is no value in it, so we don't seek it. But we, as a student, we call our Masters like this to show our respects...


I write this article, suddenly came in my mind, to those Pencak Silat or Seni Silat instructors, internationally and in France especially. I am not talking to those Cikgu-Cikgu of Pencak Silat, Seni Silat or Gayong who do really deserve to be called that.

Don't learn Silat just for the title. For example,in Silat Seni Gayong, we practice day and night, for at least 10 years (which is in my case), before passing the level of "Kegurulatihan". Don't think that a 2 months trip to Malaysia, or Indonesia, with training plus visiting plus sightseeing is enough for you to make you a "Guru" (master), "Cikgu"(teacher) or even "Guru Besar"(principal) when you come back to France! A "Cikgu" is the one who is loyal and serious in his years of training. He knows the art, he knows the Adat, he knows the Adab and he is the Artist, the Fighter, the Teacher, the Student and the Choreographer!

I know my writing would make certain feel unconfortable, but believe me, it is also a lesson for me myself. Learn Silat as deep as possible, and train your self to be a real Silat practitioner.Silat is not in the book or in the computer harddisk, but inside you. A Cikgu, he lives with it, he moves with it and he reacts with it. I like a cotation by one of a Pencak Silat instructor in France, who is a good friend of mine. He said "Many Pencak Silat instructor lives by the art, but few who lives with it"....

So, think first before writing your name "Cikgu". There won't be anyone who will control it. But ask yourself sincerely, do you have the level of a Cikgu or not? Do not ever try to call yourself a Cikgu if you can do only one or two Silat moves without the help of your books or videos. . There is A BIG DIFFERENCE of mastering the art and how long have you learned it.

By the way, don't mix Silat with anything that you have learned in other martial arts. You risk to make it ugly. ;)

PERHATIAN...*article ni ditujukn khusus buat sorang anak gayong didikan saya di perncis, yang tlah pun mninggalkn prtubuhan gayong kami di sini. Tnpa rsa sgan,dia dgn sndirinya mmakai title Cikgu di hdpn namanya, dan mmprgunakan title ini untuk kpentingan peribadinya. Wlaupn hanya brtalipinggang putih gayong sjak blajar dgn saya (2 tahun), dia hanya 2 bulan brguru dgn sorang guru silat lain di mlaysia dan kmbali ke sini dgn brgelar Cikgu. Satu pngajaran buat kita di prantauan. Mcm yg Cikgu Mufti ckp, jgn dijaja habis ilmu, biar benihnya tinggal di Malaysia. Hanya buah yg dijual. Nasib baik baru bagi "bau" buah. Tak bagi lagi buahnya. Kalau bagi buah mau jadi Guru. Kalau bagi benih, rasanya title Mahaguru, dia yang punya.....!!!! ;)

Harap tiada Cikgu2 Gayong di mana2 pelusuk dunia dan di Malaysia yg terasa atau salah faham dgn article ini. Ia sama sekali tidak ditujukan pada anda semua... Salam Gayong!

GAYONG SEMINAR 05/06 Dec

Stage de Silat Seni Gayong dirigé par Cikgu Shaiful Hakim.
Seminar by Cikgu Shaiful Hakim.


Date:
Samedi 05 et Dimanche 06 décembre 2009
Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th Decembre 2009

Organisation:
Nord Perguruan Pencak Silat - Gelanggang Gayong Panglima Silat


Horaires:
Samedi de 14h00 à 18h00 ( attention stage réservé à la formation d'instructeurs )
dimanche de 10h00 à 12h30 et de 14h00 à 17h30 ( stage ouvert à tous )

Saturday 2pm to 6pm (seminar only for Anak Gayong/Gayong practitioner)
Sunday 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5.30pm (seminars open to publics)

TARIFS/fees:
Membres NPPS: 10 €
Membres Gayong France: 20 €
Membres FFKDA: 35 €
Autres: 45 €

LIEU/venue:
Complexe sportif du Fort, Salle Alain Poher
Chemin Saint Georges,
59910 BONDUES

Renseignements/informations:
panglimasilat@hotmail.fr
tel: 03.62.92.93.12

GAYONG SEMINAR 21/22 Nov

Stage de Silat Seni Gayong dirigé par Cikgu Shaiful Hakim.
Seminar of Silat Seni Gayong by Cikgu Shaiful Hakim

Date:
Samedi 21 et Dimanche 22 Novembre 2009
Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd November 2009

Organisation:
Nord Perguruan Pencak Silat - Gelanggang Gayong Panglima Silat


Horaires/time:
Samedi de 14h00 à 18h00 ( attention stage réservé à la formation d'instructeurs )
dimanche de 10h00 à 12h30 et de 14h00 à 17h30 ( stage ouvert à tous )

Saturday from 2pm to 6pm (seminar only for Anak Gayong/ Gayong practitioner)
Sunday from 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5.30pm (seminar open to publics)

TARIFS/fees:
Membres NPPS: 10 €
Membres Gayong France: 20 €
Membres FFKDA: 35 €
Autres (others): 45 €

LIEU/venue:
Complexe sportif du Fort, Salle Alain Poher
Chemin Saint Georges,
59910 BONDUES

Renseignements/informations:
panglimasilat@hotmail.fr
tel: 03.62.92.93.12

Invisible Enemies

One of my Masyaikh once told me:

Human has 4 enemies.

Syaitan (satan), Duniya (love of good life on earth), Hawa'(lust and materials) and Nafs (individualisme)

We defeat Satan with Da'wah (preach) people to Allah.
We defeat Duniya with I'lm (religious knowledge of Qoran and Hadith)
We defeat Hawa' with I'badat (religious rituals like Prayer and Zikr)
We defeat Nafs with Khidmah (humble and 'dirty' works to serve everyone)

The Prophet (pbuh) told once that the Satans will run away when hearing the Adzan (Prayer calls at the Mosque) because Adzan is one of the strongest Da'wah. The God, grants us two tools importants, The Do'a (Prayer) and The Da'wah (Preach)

Duniya, with all of his beauties inside, doesn't have any value in front of Allah. As Prophet (pbuh) told once, one piece of mosquito's wing is more valueable to Allah, than this worldly things that will perish one day. Only by learning the Qoran, and Hadith, will wake us up that the true life is the after-life, and the death is only a door of path to the Creator.

The Hawa', of foods, clothes, sexuals, if taken too much, or too little, will bring more harm than benefit for us. It is our duty to live a good life, and have a healthy life. No better way to have a good memory and a good A'qal (thinking) than wake up in the last one third of the night in a Tahajjud (night prayer)

The Nafs, is the most dangerous one. Even the Iblis (the chief of Satan) attested that Allah was his creator. But our own Nafs, was arrogant and snobbish in an extreme way. It was punished one time in the Hot Hell Fire, second time in the Cold Hell, but still not attested that Allah was his Creator. "I am Me", as what he always said, until he was punished in the Hungry Hell, where finally he admit and obey to his Creator. "You are My Creator o Lord, and I am your servant!"

The Nafs can be defeated only by serving and helping everyone. Helping the old folks, loving the childs, teaching the students, listening to the teachers and so on. The one who serves, will be the last who eats, and the one who clean it up. This will educate our own nafs and make us closer to our Creator....

WaAllahua'lam...

Oh La Vie! The Way of Gayong

There is a Malay saying "Perigi Tak Cari Timba, tapi Timba yang Cari Perigi". A Well doesn't search for a Bucket, but the Bucket searchs for a Well (a small bucket, tied with a rope used to take the water from the well). The meaning behind this expression is that "A Teacher doesn't seek a student, but a student will have to search a teacher".

The Malay word used for the bucket here is "Timba". Other Malay word for "Timba", is "Gayong". Gayong, literally, has two meanings. The first meaning, is a tool to take and to contain the water, the same meaning of Timba, using when one takes bath, cleans himself or ablution. If we take this definition, we can remake the saying as "The Well doesn't seek the Gayong, but the Gayong needs the Well".

This expression clears us the way of Gayong. The way of learning this art. We can read the histories of how the elders (seniors Gayong masters) had lived to learn Silat Seni Gayong with the late Dato' Mahaguru. They travelled hundreds of kilometres, from Perak to Singapore, from Selangor to Kedah, from Penang to Melaka and so on. The one who seeks the teacher, spends money and time for it, and develop his own Gayong group when he returns to his home, is the one who understands the way of Gayong. How many Gayong seniors, at the time when they learned with the late Mahaguru, sacrificed their own priority just because this is the only pure and original Malay heritage that still survive until now. They did this, because they thought and think of us, the new generation. I was still a child when one of them had an road accident when going to Mahaguru's house, and he is still teaching Gayong until now...

What really make me sad, is those who don't appriciate when a Master is around him. They have the opportunity to learn, to develop, to make them a true Anak Gayong, but seems that their priority is in other thing then Gayong. Who doesn't have problem in his life? Everyone does. But only the one who is sincere and determine will realize what he wants to. As a student, we don't wait a Master to come to us. It's our duty to come, to help, and what makes our master happy most is to continue his effort by developping this art as much as possible.


The other meaning of Gayong is as same as Silat. Bergayong, or to do the Gayong, is to do the Silat or to fight. When we learn Gayong, it means that we learn how to fight, and how to defend ourselves. Learning to defend and to fight is an obligation for every human being. World was not created free from demons and bad creatures. Even the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once said, when asked by one companion: "What if someone broke into my house, and want to rob my goods or to hurt my family, and I fight him?" The Prophet (pbuh) said: It's your duty to protect your goods and your family. He asked again: "What if he killed me?" The Prophet (pbuh) answered: You are going to paradise. He once asked again: "What if I killed him?" The Prophet (pbuh) said: He goes to hellfire. (au kana kola Rasulullah sallahualaihi wasallam)

Gayong it self, was defined by the late Mahaguru. Gayong, spelled by Jawi (Malay-Arabic spelling), is from the letters of Ga, Alif, Ya, Wau, Nga.

Ga stands for word GENGGAM (grasp tightly)
Alif stands for word ANGKAT (lift high)
Ya stands for YAKIN (believe and convinced)
Wau stands for WARAS (rational and intelligent)
Nga stands for NGERI (fearful, grisly)


We grasp tightly our oath, and never break our promises to our teacher. Never reveal our secrets to the stranger, but teach everything to our member. We lift high the name of Gayong, and the name of the late of Mahaguru, and never let people disgrace Gayong. We lift high our faith and never give up to protect it. We believe in God, we believe in his messengers,and we believe in what we learn in Gayong. We are convinced that we can protect ourselves and our family and our nation by learning this deadly martial art. But we don't abuse of what we had learnt. We are here, not to be individual, but to help the weak and the poor. We are intelligent, think wisely, and act rationally. We fear of the judgement day, the day that our actions will be judged. We live to prepare a good life after the death. But it doesn't mean that we throw away our life on this world. We must have a good life, and have good people around us, and good gayong training too! Make a Gayong training and demonstration look grisly and powerful, because this is our way. The way of Silat Seni Gayong!



"GAYONG BERGAYUT, KATA BERSAHUT"

ZAAATTTTTT!!!!!!