Kuntau (Kelantan - Malaysia)

1. The Origin

Kelantan (Kelantan Darul Naim) is one of the states in Malaysia (provincial level) which has various ethnic within (heterogenic culture). About 1.313.014 people inhabit the state with below composition (based on the ethnic categorization): Malay (95%), India (0.3%), and others (0.9%). The figure indicates that Malay culture positions the most prevalent culture in Kelantan.    

In a place with various ethnic and cultural entities, it is obvious that people of different cultures and races will come into contact. The contact means cultural interaction which typically takes one of the two types namely assimilation and acculturation. Assimilation refers to the emergence of “absolutely new culture” as a consequence of the cultural diffusion. Acculturation is meant as the intense process of consistent integration whereby two or more different cultures are gradually absorbed into a new culture whose traits are the mixture of those cultures. In such cultural interactions, the assimilation is likely the most interaction occurred as the case with Kelantan Darul Naim. Martial art, called Kuntau, exemplifies the assimilation of two different cultures between Malay martial art and Chinese.   

The kuntau originates from the mixture of Malay martial arts in Kelantan and Kuntau Gee Sing. The kuntau moves are formulated by Hasan bin Husin, a Malay who has special interest in martial art since his early ages. He has mastered various martial arts developed in his homeland (Kelantan), especially from Silat Elang Merah School which was headed by his grandfather. In addition, he also studied jurus (moves) of Kuntau Gee Sing from his grandfather (from mother`s side). The jurus in both martial arts are combined to mold several fresh moves which called Kuntau.

2. The Development of Kuntau

Inspired by his great desire to preserve the Malay martial art, Hasan bin Husin rearranged the moves of the kuntau in early 1980s. In order to be recognized officially by the state, he registered the kuntau to the martial art association called Gabungan Persatuan Seni Silat Kelantan. However, the registration was officially accepted by the association in October 17, 1984. 

In order to make the kuntau moves more established and fixed, Hasan bin Husin reformulated training systems of the kuntau in the middle of 1990. In doing so, he was assisted by three silat masters i.e Mohamad Sajeri bin Abdullah, Mohamad Zahir bin Ramli, and Cigu Mohamad Amin bin Abu

Following years after the establishment of training systems, Hasan bin Husin initiated an academy for Kuntau studies called “Akademi Seni Silat Gerak Kuntau” in April 20, 1999.  The academy was purposed to transfer the information on and to teach the kuntau to Malay community. In addition, it was intended to preserve and to add the treasure of Malay martial art.  

3. Grades in Kuntau

In the kuntau, practitioner`s grades are marked by the belt. The grades are symbolized with several colour belts which denote the degree of competence and seniority in kuntau school. Below are the categorizations:

White belt: the beginners who begin their training

White belt with yellow strip: who has completed the first examination

Yellow belt: who has completed the second examination

Yellow belt with green strip: who has completed the third examination

Green belt: who has completed the fourth examination

Green belt with blue strip: who has completed the fifth examination

Blue belt: who has completed the sixth examination

Red belt with white strip: who has completed the seventh examination

Red belt: who has completed the eighth examination

Black belt: who has completed the last examination

Those practitioners who have completed and passed all the examinations will wear black belt and considered as the experts. They are allowed to teach the jurus of kuntau to the community. If they intend to stay in school and become the teachers, some requirements should be met such as (1) one year or more of being actively involved in martial art organization after obtaining the black belt, (2) capable to demonstrate all the jurus. The requirements will be observed by panel of main master/teacher. If the panel decides that the practitioner has met all the requirements, he can teach the kuntau at the school.

Like the students, the kuntau teachers also have several grades

Black belt with a strip: the teacher who has obtained one certificate

Black belt with two strips: the teacher who has obtained two certificates

Back belt with yellow strips: the teacher who has obtained three certificates

Black belt with green strip: the teacher who has obtained four certificates

Black belt with blue strip: the teacher who has obtained five certificates

Black belt with red strip: for main teacher in the school

Besides various techniques in empty hand moves, the kuntau also utilizes several weapons. The weapons used in the kuntau are categorized into two types: main weapon, and elective weapon. Main weapon includes rattan stick, sword, and double weapon. The main weapon techniques should be mastered by the kuntau practitioners. The elective weapons include kris, double stick, tekpi, and tonfa. Since the elective weapons can cause harm, the techniques to use those weapons will be taught after the practitioners complete all the examinations (getting black belt). 

4. Cultural Values

Observing the martial art which develops in Negeri Kelantan Nurul Daim, one will find several cultural values from the kuntau. Those immense values can be a reference in daily lives such as health, discipline, self-confidence, friendship and fairness  

Health value is reflected in moves and techniques performed during the training and fighting. The kuntau moves which combine both Malay and Chinese martial arts necessitate power to move muscle and body. Those moves also accelerate blood circulation. Strong body will create health spirit, as stated in a proverb “Mensana in Korpore Sano” means health spirit lies in health body.

The practitioner`s attempt to master the jurus and the various techniques reflects the hard work value. The hard work increases practitioner`s skill in sophisticated moves (since the moves in the kuntau are the combination between Malay and Chinese moves). In addition, without hard work, it is impossible to win in kuntau competition.  

Similar to other martial arts, learning the kuntau means one`s self-preparation to encounter many unintended possibilities to him or/and other people. Mastering the kuntau moves develops self-confidence and trains one becoming fearless to any kind of external threat.  

The discipline is another value embedded within the kuntau. One who learns the kuntau necessitates self-discipline to the rule of Kuntau School. One can be expelled if he disobeys the rules. The discipline also helps the practitioner to master the sophisticated moves of kuntau.

School of martial art reflects one big family. Practitioners who learn the kuntau will perceive others not merely as friend but also as family. As one family, the practitioners are expected not to endanger the other members, but help each other instead. Hence, the brotherhood constitutes another incalculable value within the kuntau.

To advance the skill of the kuntau practitioners, several training activities are conducted such as competition, tournament, and sparring. In addition, those activities can help the practitioners to develop their spirit of fairness since there will be a winner and a loser. The fairness value is reflected through practitioner`s acceptance to the final decision made by the panel of judge.   

(AG/bdy/49/7-07)

(HQ/ter/54/8-07)

Source:

• www.silatkuntau.cjb.net
• www.wikipedia.org

Credit photo: static.flicker.com

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