silat seni gayong

Introduction
Silat is a Malay word which means martial arts. Malay silat is a generic term for many Malaysian martial arts. There are at least 150 known Malay silats in Malaysia. Most popular ones are Silat Gayong (pronounced Guy Yoog), Silat Cekak, Silat Sendeng, Silat Keris Lok 9 and Silat Gayong Fatani. There is also another silat style called silat Melayu. This silat is considered as the oldest Malay silat.

Silat Gayong, or correctly referred to as Silat Seni Gayong, is a Malay art of self-defense; a fighting art, the art of stopping wars. The art is not merely about self-defense, it is also for the development of the self (belajar mengenal diri); becoming a better person so that you may serve humanity. It is a great way to develop and increase physical fitness, flexibility, mental conditioning, discipline and self-confidence. The philosophy of Gayong is strongly related to the Malay Adat Istiadat (Malay cultures and traditions), morals, adab (respect) and the teaching of religion. Religion is the inspiration, motivation and guidance for high quality behavior. It is a mark of peace and harmony.

Gayong art has been passed down from generation to generation; from the Hulubalang Gayong to Tengku Panglima Hitam (Daeing Kuning), to Syed Zainal Idris Al-Atas, to Daeing Uda Mat Hashim, to Meor Abdul Aziz and Dato Meor Abdul Rahman (see picture on text book). Today, several practitioners have been entrusted to share the art with mankind. These include Abdul Majid Mat Isa, Siti Kalsom Meor Rahman, Razali Salleh, Hussain Kaslan, Awang Daud, Ahmad Lazim, Mat Nanyang and BadirulZaman.

There are other Gayong practitioners dedicated to spreading the art of Gayong; Kahar Redza, Ismail Jantan, Mufti Ansari, Safiah Mohd Noor, Mustapa Kamal, Sani Morni, Rasul Abdul Ghani, Faid Musa, Azhar Abbas, Zainal Ishak, Rahim Hussain, Ariffin Mahidin, Ibrahim Yatim, Idris Abdul Rahaman, Jaafar Jamaludin, Hamzah Ahmad, Selamat Mat Raji, Mohd Anuar Hamid, Jebat Majid,.... and many more.

Silat training is currently held at a local college as a Physical Education Class;
     College of Dupage
     425 Fawell Blvd
     Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

     Course name: Malay Silat PE1771
     College Addmission and Information Tel: 630-942-2380
     Physical Education Deparment Tel: 630-942-2364
     College Website http://www.cod.edu

Gayong classes in Illinois are currently conducted by Cikgu (teacher) Sheikh Shamsuddin, also known as Sam. He is ranked Harimau Pelangi Cula Sakti (black belt) in the Gayong Malaysia hierarchy and carries the title Ketua Kalifah (Chief of Caliph). He has also studied other martial arts such as Hapkido and Aikido. He has given several seminars with other known self-defense practitioners such as Cikgu Majid Mat Isa and Cikgu Kahar from Malaysia, Cikgu Ariffin Mahidin (Gayong from London, England), Guru William De Thouars (Kuntao Silat) and Victor De Thouars (Serak Silat), Guru Jim Ingram (Mustika Kuwitang Silat), Guru Dr. Andre KnutGraichen, Guru Wayne Welsh, Hapkido instructor Randy Stigall and Hanshi Bruce Juchnik (Kempo).

Four senior students of Sam are also helping him spreading Gayong within United States; Joel Champ, Jennifer Para, Danial Snyder and Neel Tummala. Cikgu Joel Champ is ranked Harimau Pelangi Cula Sakti in the Gayong Malaysia hierarchy and currently carries the title Khalifah Muda (Young Califh) given by cikgu Siti Kalsom in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia. He has also studied other martial arts such as Hapkido, Kempo, Kuntao Silat, Kick Boxing and the Philippines Arnis stick fighting. He has also trained Gayong under the guidance of cikgu Majid, Kahar Redza, Jazwan and Malik in Kuala Lumpur. Joel has also given several silat seminars together with Sam in various locations within United States. He has written and published several articles on Silat Seni Gayong with the local martial art magazines as well as martial art magazine "Seni Beladiri" in Malaysia. Joel is an adopted son of cikgu Siti Kalsom Meor Rahman.

Jennifer Para, Daniel Snyder and Neel Tummala have also traveled to Malaysia and trained Gayong under the guidance of cikgu Kahar Redza, cikgu Jazwan and cikgu Malik. Jennifer and Daniel are an adopted daughter and son of Siti Kalsom Meor Rahman. Neel Tummala is an adopted brother of Siti Kalsom.

Overview of Gayong Form
Gayong is mostly the hard form of silat. Silat itself consists of two forms, hard and soft. The soft form is referred to as Bunga (flower) and the hard form as Buah (fruit) or tangkapan (grappling). From the flower we have fruit. Gayong seldom practices the flower form, but it does exist. The flower form acts as a means of camouflage for the hard style. The purpose of bunga is to confuse and bore the opponent. When the opponent is confused, the graceful motions suddenly change into explosive and lightning fast strikes to vital targets. Gayong style uses striking, grappling and bone breaking techniques. In addition to Buah Kunci Mati (body lock), there is a set of movements referred to as Kombat or Pukulan (combat), i.e. a combination of blows, claws, tears and pokes to the vital points. Gayong also teaches the "ground fighting form". Falling to the ground does not mean the fight is over. Falling to the ground enables you to use Gerakan Harimau (tiger movements). Another concept is to work on the opponents' center axis by pushing, twisting and using off balancing maneuvers.