Bamboo Staff Combat

Silambam or silambattam is a weapon-based Dravidian martial art from Tamil Nadu in south India but also practiced by the Tamil community of Malaysia. It is closely related to kalaripayat, particularly the southern style, which was created in the neighbouring state of Kerala. In Tamil, the word silambam refers to the bamboo staff which is the main weapon used in this style. Other weapons are also used such as the maduvu (deer horn), kathi (knife) and vaal (sword). Unarmed silambam, called Kuttu Varisai, utilizes stances and routines based on animal movements such as the snake, tiger and eagle forms.

The length of the staff depends on the height of the practitioner. It should just touch the forehead about three fingers from the head, although different lengths are used in different situations. It usually measures roughly 1.68 meters (five and a half feet). The 3 feet stick called sedikutchi can be easily concealed. Separate practice is needed for staves of different lengths. The usual stance includes holding the staff at one end, right hand close to the back, left hand about 40 centimeters (16 inches) away. This position allows a wide array of stick and body movements, including complex attacks and blocks.


Techniques

Silambam incorporates a range of techniques.

a) By swift foot movements, large spheres of control can be established.

b) Both hands can be used to wield the staff.

c) Precision, force and momentum can be developed at head, shoulder, hip and leg level.

d) The cut, chop, thrust and sweep can be used to achieve mastery.

e) Development of a reflex defensive action, by concentrating on and anticipating the moves of the opponent and perfecting various kinds of feints in stroke play, can absolutely demoralise an adversary.

The player must also be able to ward off stones hurled by a crowd, and disperse an unruly mob by a range of strokes like 'monkey hits', 'snake hits', 'hawk hits' and 'spring hits', which must be inflicted in quick succession. This activity involves some amazing footwork, staff - swinging, pivot - jumping and stroke play. From a purely defensive art, Silambam has become a combat exercise.

Silambam is a three - type contest.

a) A fight to the finish, when one of the players is dispossessed of his staff.

b) Total number of ' touches ' one combatant makes on the other ( indicated by appropriate markings on the body ).

c) Skill shown in protecting a pouch of money ( kept at or in between a contestant's feet ).

The contestant succeeding in leaving a mark on the forehead of his opponent is adjudged as the victor in the contest.

Dress

The contestants wear langots of various colours, sleeveless vests, turbans, canvas shoes, and a chest guard which is a part of the traditional attire of Palmyrah tree - climbers. Wicker - work shields also form an essential part of the gear.


SILAMBAM RING:

Silambam ring is a circle of 24 feet (7.30 feet metre) diametre. Playing will have to play inside the circle.
Warning ring : Inside the outer ring, one inside ring is drawn at a distance of 1 feet. This inside ring is called warning ring. The purpose of the ring is to alert the players and to warn them that they are nearer the outer ring.

Penalty for coming out of the ring: While playing, the players can bring one leg outside the ring. But if they bring out both the legs from the ring, two minus marks will be awarded to them. This will be repeated everytime, if the player comes out of the ring.

PEACEFUL MARTIAL ART

Morihei Ueshiba

Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.

Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical energy, as the aikidōka (aikido practitioner) "leads" the attacker's momentum using entering and turning movements. The techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks. Aikido can be categorized under the general umbrella of grappling arts.

Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to Ueshiba's involvement with the Ōmoto-kyō religion. Ueshiba's early students' documents bear the term aiki-jūjutsu. Many of Ueshiba's senior students have different approaches to aikido, depending on when they studied with him. Today aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with broad ranges of interpretation and emphasis. However, they all share techniques learned from Ueshiba and most have concern for the well-being of the attacker. This attitude has been at the core of criticisms of aikido and related arts.

Basic Aikido Techniques:

Munetsuki Kotegaeshi


Aikido Nikyo Pin

Martial Arts and Celebrities!

Action stars and martial arts figures like Bruce Lee, Tony Jaa, Chuck Norris, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Steven Seagal, Cynthia Rothrock, Jean-Claude Van Damme etc. are without a doubt martial arts celebrities. Still, these people are so obvious - and well known within the arts.



Bruce Lee@ Khairul Hussein - Founder of Jet Kundo


Chuck Norris - Taekwondo (6th Dan)



Eman Manan - Silat Sabil Indera Sakti



Tony Jaa - Muay Thai



Jean-Claude Van Damme - Karate

Glorify The Spirit Within - MARTIAL 2010

There will be a tremendous Martial Arts Festivals or also known as MARTIALS 2010 from this 6th to 14th February 2010. The main organizer for this particular event is IIUM Sports Centre (International Islamic University Malaysia) and Persatuan Seni Silat Cekak Malaysia IIUM together with 5 other martial arts. This meaningful event comprises of seminar, martial arts performance and booth.
The opening for MARTIAL 2010 will be held at CAC Main Hall this Saturday (6th February)at 8 p.m

DON'T MISS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Selected Video

Silat Cekak- A Truly Malay Martial Arts.

Silat Cekak was initiated by the late Ustaz Hanafi Haji Ahmad. It is the silat that was practiced and conveyed by Ustaz Hanafi be it in terms of pedagogy, concept, philosophy, principle, integrity, spirituality and example.


According to oral history, Silat Cekak originates from Kedah and was used by its governor-generals (panglima) to defend the land against foreign incursions during the reign of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin (1854-1879). A trustworthy source mentions that one of these generals, Panglima Ismail successfully defeated a general of Batak descent by the name of Tuah (not the legendary Hang Tuah). Panglima Ismail then taught Silat Cekak to Panglima Tok Rashid, who hailed from Sungai Daun in Kedah. However, to flee an outbreak of cholera, the general had to relocate his family to Kerian of the state of Perak. In Perak, Panglima Tok Rashid entrusted Silat Cekak to his student from Batu Kurau, Yahya Said to teach this silat to a worthy Kedah native when the proper time came.


Panglima Tok Rashid instructed him: “If any of my progeny from Kedah wish to learn, you are to return it to them” In 1965, as per the late Panglima Tok Rashid’s trust, Yahya Said conveyed and entrusted this silat to Ustaz Hanafi.

After 40 years of being hidden away from the public eye, Silat Cekak was reclaimed by Ustaz Hanafi as his Kedah birthright from Yahya Said (who was the trustee). Before then, no one had successfully completed their education in Silat Cekak. It was only when Ustaz Hanafi taught Silat Cekak publicly that students managed to complete their studies in the syllabus. This was done under the auspices of the Perkumpulan Sari Budaya Sri Kedah (The Glorious Kedah Cultural Essence Group).

Since its rebirth at the hands of Ustaz Hanafi, a new era had dawned for Silat Cekak. He introduced a new spirit and a new approach, all the while succeeding in raising the status of Silat Cekak as a movement that is respected by friend and foe; one that is continuously able to contribute positively to society.

Silat Cekak has succeeded in attracting thousands of members from all walks of life including the intellectual and professional realms.


Silat Cekak is a truly Malay art of self-defence and is not a silat for play or sport (Silat Olahraga). Silat Cekak has set methods with strike forms and complete locking techniques. The movement and system of this silat is based on the natural movements of the human being grounded in healthy thought, a calm soul and is clearly compatible with the principles of Islam.

Its studies place emphasis on self-defence to inculcate courage, not violence or violation. Only when absolutely necessary and for the sake of safety does Silat Cekak Hanafi attack first. Silat Cekak Hanafi awaits attacks in a straight-backed high stance (the stance used in salat or solat) and does not employ evasions to the left of right; but moves forward in a single intercepting movement.

In reality, Silat Cekak is a silat based on the study of movement (Silat Gerak). Most surprising and curious of all is, when Silat Cekak attacks, the opponent would find it difficult to evade, and if he were to parry the attack would lead to a devastating counterattack. This is due to the practitioner’s ability to attack and trap in one move. (Cekak menyerang, Cekak menangkap).

Practitioners are taught to defend against empty handed and weapons attacks with only their bare hands. The objective of Silat Cekak is to counter a weapons attack to disarm an opponent.

Silat Cekak is taught to completion in a course package. Normally, the course package may be completed within 6 months. This duration may also be adapted to coincide with the semester schedule of public schools or higher learning institutions.

After completion, the practitioners may increase their level of skill personally or by attending skill classes organized from time to time. As a silat based on fine movements, it does not need to employ a great deal of strength or force to defeat an opponent. The method of study is systematic, is not detrimental to the practitioner and allows the practitioners the ability to defend oneself even in quarters as narrow as a plank.

Not unlike other silat, Silat Cekak also has its own official weapon which is the Lading; famous in the state of Kedah Darul Aman. This weapon is used by practitioners of Silat Cekak to defend against all manner of empty handed or weapon attacks. However, the Lading is only presented to those practitioners who have reached a certain level and whose loyalty to the association has been proven. Most of these recipients are those who have been actively involved in the movement for more than ten years. The size and shape of the Lading depends on the user since each practitioner has a different proportion and body measurement.

Now, the Silat Cekak is operating under the name of Persatuan Seni Silat Cekak Ckeka Malaysia and has 11 state chapters and organizes silat classes in most universities and higher learning institutions in Malaysia.

There are few versions of Silat Cekak in Malaysia which is Silat Cekak Malaysia, Silat Cekak Ustaz Hanafi and Silat Pusaka Cekak Hanafi.

Fighting in style!

Taekwondo is the world's most popular martial art in terms of the number of practitioners. Its popularity has resulted in the varied development of the martial art into several domains: as with many other arts, it combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise, meditation and philosophy. Taekwondo is also used by the South Korean military as part of its training.Gyeorugi, a type of sparring, has been an Olympic event since 2000.

Formally, there are two main styles of taekwondo. One comes from the Kukkiwon, the source of the sparring system sihap gyeorugi which is now an event at the summer Olympic Games and which is governed by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). The other comes from the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF).

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