Many Indo-Malay martial arts are kept private, taught in secluded areas away from the public. These are arts of the older tradition, developed when combative knowledge was valued for its use in protecting the sanctity of life. This two-volume anthology brings together a great collection of writings by authors who dive into the deepest realms of Indo-Malay combatives. They offer readers a rare viewing of martial traditions that is usually hidden behind social shrouds of secrecy and a clannish quest to preserve individual tradition. A special presentation in this second volume are the writings of Dr. Kirstin Pauka forming three chapters on silat (silk) of West Sumatra. The lead chapter discusses silk history, styles, training methods, and its use in dance. In chapter 2, Dr. Pauka shows that the martial arts constitute the core of the movement repertoire of the Randai folk theatre. Her third piece reports on an extended silk artist-in-residence program in the Asian Theatre program at the University of Hawai'i. The next three chapters contains some academic coverage of kuntao-silat in the Indo-Malay traditions, garnished with technical sections illustrating the martial aspects of the arts. Mark Wiley details Silat Seni Gayong's ethical foundation for self-defense and nine techniqes illustrating the art with the help of Master Shiekh Shamsuddin. My own chapter offers a glimpse of how cultural streams from India and China contributed over centuries to native Indonesian fighting arts to form hybrid systems. Examples were derived from personal observations of practitioners in the Willem Reeders lineage. The research shows the original intent and practices of any highly efficient combative art. Chris Parker's insightful chapter discusses applications of specific movements, the rhythm that can be achieved when employing them, and the space they fill as being of crucial importance for defense. Pencak silat postures form the focus of this study. All who are serious about the history and practice of Indo-Malay fighting arts will enjoy this special anthology, volumes one and two. We are very fortunate to assemble the works of these highly qualified authors. We hope reading will provide information you seek. Although the availability of studying under a true silat mater is nearly impossible, the chapters here will certainly add direction and inspiration for practitioners.
About the Author: Michael A. DeMarco, M.A., received his degree from Seton Hall University's Asian Studies Department. In 1964 he began studies of Chinese-Indonesian kuntao-silat in the Willem Reeders tradition, primarily under Art Sikes, Thomas Pepperman, and Richard Lopez. Since 1973 he has focused on taijiquan: Yang style, Xiong Yanghe lineage; Chen style, Du Yuze lineage. He founded Via Media Publishing Company in 1991, pro ducting the Journal of Asian Martial Arts and books. he teaches in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Chris Parker, B.Ed., began training in Shotokan karate in 1973. After meeting silat teacher Bapak HJ Idris bin Alimuda in Cheltenham in 1976, he became a lifelong student. He is a licensed master practitioner of neuro linguistic programming and a highly experienced management trainer, business consultant, lecturer, and writer. Parker has been teaching the unique Malaysian style his teacher named Silat Fitrah. He is a lecturer in Sport and Leisure Management at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. Kirstin Pauka, Ph.D., received her degree from Justus Liebig Universitat in Germany and is now a professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. She has served as an associate editor for the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, and authored four articles dealing with Indonesian martial arts. Other works include Theater and Martial Arts in West Sumatra: Randai and Silek of the Minangkabau (Ohio University Press, 1999) and, on CD-ROM, Randai: Folk Theater, Dance, and Martial Arts of West Sumatra (University of Michigan Press, 2002). Dr. Pauka practices Japanese taiko drumming and trains in aikido, taekwondo, and silk. www.ohioswallow.com/author/Kirstin+Pauka Mark V. Wiley, B.A., received his bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Drexel University. He began martial arts training in 1979 and has focused on Cabales Serrada Escrima under Grandmaster Angel Cabales. As an author, Wiley's works included Filipino Martial Arts: Cabales Serrada Escrima (Tuttle 1994) and Filipino Fighting Arts: Theory and Practice (Unique 2000). He has worked in the publishing field, including Tuttle Publishing and CFW Enterprises, and now is self-employed with Tambuli Media.