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Do bear with us while the blog is still undergoing some tweakings!
Meanwhile, here are some pictures from last week's classes.

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First Pangkor Island training Camp 2013 (13-14 April 2013)

It is the studio's tradition that the Khru will take our members on a training camp at the beautiful Teluk Nipah beach of Pangkor Island; a paradise destination just under four hours drive from Subang Jaya. Pangkor is Perak's most talked about island; where fresh air, pearl white sand beaches, clear water, coral fishes, hornbills and monkeys await the arrival of visitors. On top of all these beautiful stuff, our beach is just opposite Pulau Giam, a beautiful coral island, home of many coral fishes and delicious calamari. No sharks off course! All these plus us (studio members) make Pangkor one AWESOME place to be!  

Khru Nizam and his instructors promoted the camp for a month before the due date. Two guest instructors will be conducting classes for this camp. First was our own Grandmaster, Ajarn Professor Jak Othman. The other was Negeri Sembilan's No 1. Silat Seni Gayong Grandmaster Dato Paduka Dr. Ishak Hassan; a direct student of the legendary late Mahaguru Dato’ Meor Abdul Rahman Uda Hashim. The response was fantastic. Over 30 members had shown interest to participate in the camp. Unfortunately many had to pass it because of last minute work and study commitment. However, more members pop up to join the camp. By the April 12 2013, there were 28 weekend warriors confirmed to join the camp.  

On the April 13 2013, as early as 7 am, members arrived and gathered at the studio. There were little Izzat, Big Ali, Jet, Wevind, Navee, Zaid, Orochi, Bekzod, John, Faza, Ainaa and Naemah, all looking very excited. Khru Nizam and his instructors Ken, Puteri, Ruch and Jordan were early too. They were expecting five participants to drive everyone to the destination. Unfortunately by 8.15 am only three were available that morning. The other two for some reason cannot be contacted. We had eight participants stranded without transport. You should see Khru Nizam’s face at the time.  Ajarn Jak arrived with his family solved the problem. He volunteered to take some and also allowed instructor Ken to drive his other car (vintage red hot BMW) to take the rest of the members on board. Around 9 am, the group left for Pangkor Island.    

Around 12.30 pm all five cars and Dato’ Paduka Dr. Ishak’s Perdana arrived at the Lumut Jetty terminal. Meg and fiancée Praveen were there too. They drove separately from the group. Pendekar Ed Chard were already on the island the day before as he had things planned for a longer weekend.  They all had lunch before getting on board to the ferry to Pangkor. Approximately 2.30pm the journey continued. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and they could see Pangkor island not so far away.

Khru Nizam called for a briefing at the open air deck of the ferry. Ajarn Jak was there to greet the participants and he spoke about the local customs, do's and don’t on the island. This was necessary because 30% participants were foreign students. He also talked about the guest, Grandmaster Dato’ Dr. Ishak Hassan who is one of his martial arts mentors. Khru Nizam briefed the participants on camp schedule. It was all nice and easy, since it was holiday camp. The special classes will be at 5.30pm of the first day, where the Dato’ will be teaching old school methods of strengthening the body. Ajarn Jak will take the sarong fighting class on the next day at 10 am. Apart from these classes, it was holiday in paradise. ‘Enjoy yourself. The beach is yours! ’, he concluded the brief.

Around 3.30pm they arrived at the D’ Senja Resort which is situated right on the beach. The hotel rooms were OK. Clean, cool air- con and Ok lah bed with hot showers.  The guys recovered quickly from the ‘roller coaster’ish taxi ride. They wasted no time. Headed straight to the beach a few steps away from the hotel rooms and jumped into the beautiful clear water. It was fantastic! They loved it!

Dato’s class

Around 5.30pm they all gathered at the garden of the hotel for the first class of the camp. The Dato’ stepped out of his room all dressed up in his season Silat Seni Gayong attire. He looked like a warrior from the ancient time. Ajarn Jak introduced him to the participants and the Dato’ started his class talking about his tutelage days under the modern icon of Malay silat that is the late Mahaguru Dato’ Meor Abdul Rahman Uda Hashim. He showed the participants his album of photos with the legendary Grandmaster. He emphasised how his teacher taught him that a martial artist must have strong mind and body to excel.  In order achieve these; one must first learn to relax the mind, before working on the body to make it strong. There is no short cut. Just train. Train and keep training! He talked about cultivating one’s will power which will change martial artists into real warriors. Suddenly with one swift move the Dato’ turned and strike a palm tree with his bare hand. Full blast! Just like you see in the movies! Some fragments of the bark flew off the tree! The participants were stunt! There was one damaging move! He then proceeds to teach the participants old school training methods to strengthen the body. Everybody tried the exercises and loves it. Everybody was so engrossed with the old school training methods, time flew so fast and around 7 pm the Dato’ concluded his class. He was honored with a standing ovation by the participants. Everybody headed back to beach to catch the last moments of swimming before sunsets. Around 7.20pm they gathered on to see the spectacular view of the sun setting behind Giam Island. Simply breathtaking!

Around 8pm everybody went to the beach restaurants. It was free and easy. They were divided into several groups. Ajarn Jak and wife had Chinese. They had sambal prawns, fried kalian in oyster sauce and Cantonese taufoo. With good food and drink for two, the Ajarn spent just RM50. The Dato’ and wife had grilled fish at a Malay restaurant on the Teluk Nipah side walk. Wevind and his gang also ate their grilled seafood at the same restaurant. Khru Nizam took the rest of group to a cute seafood restaurant right on the other end of Teluk Nipah beach. They had grilled fresh fishes, sweet and sour siakap, fried squid, grilled cockles and stirred fried vegetables with white rice. The dinner cost them RM12.50 per head, food and drinks. That was a bargain.

Around 10 pm the party games commenced at the foyer of the hotel with game masters Meg and Jordan. Everybody except Pendekar Ed ,the Dato and wife; joined the games. The Pendekar hired a cheap bike and went too Pasir Bogak town to watch the Arsenal vs. Norwich game at a pub. The Dato’ and wife took a moon light walk on the beach. Ajarn Jak and wife stayed for an hour or so before retiring for the day. But the party games was kept going till 1 am in the morning. Lights out for the last man standing was 2 am. Zzzzzzz........

  

Good morning  

The early birds for the group were up at 6am. They were Kru Nizam and his instructors. They went looking for sea shells on the beach. By 8 am they had collected a vast array of shells and the most unique species are the one that look like semi precious stone. According to the Ajarn, in ancient times the natives believe these stones are good luck charms. Today, they are just left on beach of Pangkor no longer used for that particular purpose. Khru Nizam, Jordan, Ken and Meg took back a few homes with them. So these guys are going to be rich soon. Ha!!!

Typical Malaysian breakfasts were served at the beach stalls and restaurants. The guys spent an average of RM 5-7 for breakfast which was not bad at all. Around 10am the Dato’ and wife left home early to prepare for another event which he was going to anchor in Melaka the following Monday. Everybody came to greet the Grandmaster goodbye and wishing him for a safe and pleasant drive back to Seremban.

Sarong swinging with the Prof.

At 10.30am the participants gathered on the beach with their colourful sarongs. It was time to learn sarung fighting techniques with our Grandmaster; Ajarn Prof. Jak Othman. He started with striking techniques using the sarung. Everybody was taught to tie a knot at one of the ends of their sarung. According to the Ajarn, in ancient time knuckle duster, coins and sometimes stone were hidden in this knot. With one simple overhead swing, he blasted his sarong at a wall and huge beach rock nearby. Bang!!!  It was stunning to see a common item of clothing can instantly turn deadly in the hand of an expert. The participants wasted no time, they hacked their sarongs on the walls and rocks nearby. The overhead smash was similar to the hammer fist which a phase 2 technique. Another is the side swing which is parallel to the ground, blasting the target from the side like the hook. The last striking method taught by the old Prof was the whipping technique. It works like the back fist , where it was shot straight out to the target with a snapping motion. The guys loved it. They strike the wall and huge beach rocks hundreds of times with those combos.

The Ajarn then move on to tying techniques. He demonstrated how you could tie your opponent up silly and completely helpless with a sarung. Can you imagine being tied up with your arm folded behind you and neck wrapped by the sarung? With one last simple move by the old man, the victim was choked! The finally technique of the day was even scarier! Imaging how your whole head is covered by a sarung and in that blinded situation your neck is wrapped and choked helplessly. This old man is a dangerous man! Around 11.15am the Ajarn ended the class promising the participants that he will do a revision session on sarung techniques when they all return to the studio.

The guys wasted no time. They headed back to beach for the last dip in the clear and refreshing water of Teluk Nipah. Around 1pm everybody checked out. It was brilliant quick getaway training cum holiday as Pendekar Ed Chard summarised it as ‘ a top weekend’. The next 4 ½ hours was a safe and obedient speed limit driving for everyone heading home. All participants would like to thank you Khru Nizam and his instructors for making the trip a great holiday for all.

When is the next Pangkor trip?

There are talks about having another trip with our UITM Shah Alam group, possibly in May 2013. It could be the 18 & 19 May 2013 before the coming school holidays.  Other possible dates could be 15& 16 June 2013 after the school holiday rush. Don’t worry we will keep you posted.

A totally satisfied participant.

Subang jaya 15^th April 2013.  

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A University Diploma and Bachelor of Arts Degree via JOKMAS

Jak Othman Kickboxing & Martial Arts Studio (JOKMAS) is a centre of excellence for Asia Pacific Open University of Martial Arts (APACMA) run by the Open Martial Arts Academy which represents  the Faculty of Martial Arts for the American University based in California USA. Open Martial Arts Academy is a registered body in Malaysia. Our Grandmaster Ajarn Pendita Jak Othman is a Professor and a member of senate of APACMA.  

JOKMAS members are eligible to enrol as Diploma and Degree students of APACMA. Courses are offered from two departments, Kickboxing & Bladetech. Kickboxing department offers courses for  Diploma &  Bachelor of Arts Degree for Fitness & Combat Kickboxing. Students who have completed JOKMAS Phase 1 & 2 of Kickboxing are eligible for Diploma of Arts. Phase 3 students are eligible for a Bachelor of Arts- Fitness and Combat kickboxing. The Bladetech department are offering courses for Diploma of Arts : Gayong Harimau Silat,  and Bachelors in Arts: Harimau Berantai Silat. JOKMAS Bladetech students who have completed level 1 and level 2 of Gayong Harimau Silat course are eligible for a Diploma. Level 3 students who have completed the Harimau berantai silat weapons course are eligible for a Bachelor of Arts degree.      

Diploma students will continues their studies in Sport science level 1, business & marketing, do electives studies and complete a written project for their finals assessment. Bachelor students must complete sport science level 1 & 2, business & marketing studies, do electives and complete a written project for their final assessment. Successful students will receive their respective certificates from Asia Pacific Open University USA.

Our two senior instructors  Khru Nizam and Mr. Nurul Ilmi are enrolling for their APACMA Master in Martial Arts degree. Instructors Puteri Nuraqidah and Jordan Neow will be enrolling for APACMA Diploma of Arts- Fitness & Combat kickboxing. Those who are interested, please find out more about the courses from the instructors. Do check out the university website at www.apacuniversity.com.

The academy graduates at the 2nd Convocation at Menara TM on July 8 2012.

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SILAT TOMOI - The Original Mixed Martial Art of Southeast Asia

SILAT TOMOI


The Original Mixed Martial Art of Southeast Asia

By Singhasiddh Sriyapant

INTRODUCTION

The art of Silat Tomoi has its roots in the Indochinese history for more than 2,000 years as the result of cross-cultural exchanges through migration, trade and wars. However, like most other martial arts, the exact history and description of the art is limited and scarce. As a matter of fact, the name for Silat Tomoi might have been something else throughout the sands of time. Very little is accurately known of its ancient history that predates the first century AD. Many attempts have been made to describe and define the art of Silat Tomoi today. Among the most popular assumption would be the fact that this art originated from the northern region of Malaysia. There is also a popular misconception that the art of Silat Tomoi is in fact the same as the Thai combative sport of Muay Thai.

The emergence of Silat Tomoi cannot be attributed to any individual or group. Through careful examination and understanding its origin, we come to understand that this art is in fact the result of a ‘borderless’ convergence of traditions in the northern region of Malaysia and southern region of Thailand. To the practitioners of Silat Tomoi, the issue of ethnicity and religion has very little significance since this art has been practiced by both Thais and Malays alike for a long time. What differs from one school to another is the cultural factors being adapted and practiced by different masters.

Silat Tomoi can be quite complicated and challenging to learn, if compared to today’s modern Muay Thai. From the basic stances to advanced elbow techniques, it takes many months and years to actually master them before one can advance to the higher levels. Usually, teachers would guard this knowledge jealously and reserve it only for a few selected students whereas some teachers have even considered it a ‘secret’. The reason for this is simple: the art is not for sport! Neither is Silat Tomoi for show and there are no fancy moves or flashy techniques in this art as this was the knowledge that was developed and devised by assassins and warriors of the bygone days for the sole purpose of specializing in countering enemy forces and oppression from raiding invaders. The main goal of Silat Tomoi is to neutralize one’s enemy or to kill. Thus, before fighter is allowed to go into an actual battle or mission, he or she must be an extremely well prepared to execute and win. Defeats would eventually lead to capture and eventually death.

It would be inaccurate to say that Tomoi is entirely a ‘Malay’ or ‘Thai’ heritage as this art actually evolved from the result of wars and cultural exchanges between the region of northern Malaysia, southern Thailand and its neighboring states, such as the Burmese and Khmer. This includes a hybrid of techniques adapted from the Chinese, Japanese and Indian fighting arts that has been developed over the years to become one of the region’s most feared fighting arts and have given rise to some of the well known Southern Thai schools such as Muay Chaiya and Muay Yawi in Thailand. With the influence of the Malay dominated culture and fighting tradition, it includes an arsenal of unique weaponry system which can be found nowhere else.

HISTORY IN BRIEF

It is important to understand the fact that unlike other oriental martial art traditions, knowledge and history of the Malay martial arts are almost entirely oral while the Thais have very minimal sources based on ancient records that survived throughout the years. This makes any references difficult to the author and most of the information derived from this article is mostly sourced from first hand experiences and traditional knowledge gained from the author’s teachers and martial art circles.

As with all orally transmitted knowledge, the historical interpretation and understanding of the art entirely depends on the version of story transmitted from one teacher to another, or one school to another; each has their own right to agree or disagree with one another based on what is justifiable or acceptable between the differing hypothesis.

Segenting Kra, or the Isthmus of Kra


It is said that Southeast Asia is a meeting place of the world’s civilizations, cultures and religions. Its history and culture were heavily influenced by external and indigenous factors. One of the most intense points of contact is located at the Peninsula that bounds the eastern side of the Strait of Malacca, where the ‘Malay world’ encounters with the rest of the world via its lucrative trade route. The less than 80 kilometers of land has been in frequent contact with international trading, migration, cultural and literacy exchanges. This narrow section of land in southern Thailand that separates the Andaman Sea from the Gulf of Thailand is known as the Isthmus of Kra or Segenting Kra in Malay. In Thai, it is called ‘Khor Khot Kra’ (คอคอดกระ).

Throughout its history, the isthmus has been an important overland passage to allow shipping of goods to bypass the Strait of Malacca due to difficulties in navigation and threat of piracy. It was the strategic meeting point for people from China, India, Sri Lanka and the neighboring region. Discoveries of artifacts and metallurgical objects could be traced to prehistoric times, as far as 4,000 and 1,000 B.C.

Langkasuka, Pattani and Kedah and its common link to the Nusantara Region

Advancement of technology and civilization that has spanned itself way back into prehistoric times where ancient kingdoms were already established with forces of military, forts and advanced weaponry system. The history of Langkasuka, Pattani and Kedah goes beyond the time of formation of the Malaccan, Johorean and Selangor sultanates (pre 14th and 15th Centuries). According to the early Chinese literatures, it is mentioned that the Langkasuka was founded in the 01st Century A.D.

Based on the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa (The Kedah Annals), the state of Kedah Zamin Turan was initially called Langkasuka. From Langkasuka, came later states such as Siam, Pattani and Gangga Negara. Indian and Javanese texts have also mentioned the name Langkasuka as a territory of the Srivijaya Empire.

The tradition and culture of the locality could be a post-Srivijaya legacy linking itself to the rest of the Nusantara Region, of Javanese in particular. The Javanese influence on the Thai and Malay arts are exemplified in the Panji tale of Inao and Budsabha (Inu and Puspa) which originated in the second half of the 11th century Java which was popularized in the 13th to 15th centuries during the golden age of the Majapahit Kingdom.

Definition of terms

Silat

In the opinion of the author, Silat basically means ‘morality’ or ‘principles’, originating from the Sanskrit word ‘Sīla’. The author would like to quote from his teacher’s (Jak Othman) article ‘Lightning Fast, Bone Crushing Malay Art of War!’ where he describes that Silat as the combative characteristics of fighting.

In his article, Guru Jak explained that Silat is the short form for ‘Si Kilat’ or Lightning (Kilat) in the Malay language. The old masters have described that a Silat practitioner (Pesilat) must be bright, (in knowledge and wisdom) possess beauty, speed and grace in movement, while also deadly and elusive just like the lightning in the sky. In other words, you can feel its presence, but you do not know where it comes from. The speed of lightning is very fast and it destroys every object it strikes. Since the majority of Silat stylists are Muslims, the metaphor of lightning is believed to be the weapon of the angels to punish the devil. Therefore, Silat is against evil.

Tomoi

In the northern region of Malaysia, there exists a more localized dialect of the Thai language closely associated to the old Siamese influence. Tomoi is an adapted word in the Malay language. Tomoi, in its true sense derived from the Thai language, ‘Dtoi Muay’ (ต่อยมวย). 'Dtoi' (ต่อย) generally translates into a general term for 'boxing', fight, and sting or to engage in a fistfight.


The term 'Muay' (มวย) for ‘Muay Thai’ (มวยไทย) has several possible meanings which it could derive from;

Firstly, it refers to the act of ‘binding’, such as binding of ropes, strings, cloth and other sacred objects of a fighter as a kind of charm in order to protect them while on battle. It also refers to the act of ‘binding’ of the hair ‘Muay Phom’ (มวยผม). This may metaphoricaly symbolize the act of unity by 'binding' together against the enemies.

A more interesting and controversial note on the origin of the term could have also originated from the Sanskrit word ‘Mallayuddha’ (มัลละยุทธ์ in Thai and मल्लयुद्ध in Devanagiri) which means 'Boxing/ wrestling match' which has its roots in India.  Some are of opinion that there is a possibility that the Malays are also linked to this term based on reference of the southern region, in which the Thais have always called them as ‘Malayu’ (มลายู).

Today, the art of Muay Thai generally refers to a modern, collective integration of the different, older regional styles or also known as Muay Boran (มวยโบราณ). In the past, there was no codified term or regulation in order to describe ‘Muay Thai’. Rather, it was simply called ‘Muay’ or ‘Dtoi Muay’, a term that has been etched into the native language of the northern Malay Peninsular for a very long time!

The term ‘Muay Thai’ only came into popularity during the 19th and early 20th centuries when modern boxing ring and codified rules were introduced. This includes the use of gloves, hand wraps and ankle guards. Many ancient techniques were banned and considered illegal, impractical or unsafe for use in ring matches. This leaves the old masters no choice but to carry on the knowledge of the art as a ‘high level’ knowledge while teaching the ‘new’ form of Muay while keeping the ancient knowledge esoteric and revealed only to those who were worthy of learning.

Other names

One of the closest resemblances to the Thai name ‘Nawa Awoot’ is ‘Senjata Sembilan’ in Malay. Other names that the locals in the southern region of Thailand and northern peninsular of Malaysia would be ‘Siku Lutut’, which literally means ‘Elbows and Knees’. Generally, some teachers would put in the ‘number’ of elbows as another name for the art, perhaps in a codified manner to identify their school.

Others incorporated some Chinese derived techniques and names into the art, making it ‘Kuntau Tomoi’. Kuntau is generally believed to be derived from the Southern Shaolin Kung Fu. Some Malays have also called the art ‘Silat Siam’ (Siamese Silat) due to its close resemblance to the Silat stances and techniques or ‘Muay Yawi’ by the Thais to refer to the art as a form of ‘Muay’ practiced by the Malays.

สิงหสิทธิ์ ศรียะพันธ์

Singha-siddh Sriyapant @ H.M. Khen
Web Manager & Instructor,
WWW.JAKICKBOXING

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