Kuntau schools form community to preserve the traditional martial arts

Barabai, S Kalimantan (Antaranews Kalsel) - Eleven kuntau schools (perguruan) in Central Hulu Sungai (HST) District formed an association called the Kuntau Brotherhood Community (Kompak) in a meeting at the Cancang Lima Saliwah School in Waki Village, Batu Benawa Sub-District, Sunday (6/1).


The eleven Kuntau schools are Bangkui Barabai School, Naga Saliwah Barabai, Hasyim Harimau Sambar Antang Ilung, Cancang Lima Saliwah Waki, Teratai Putih Ayuang, Biawak Hirang Ilung, Sinding Durian Gantang, Singa Raja Barikin, Jasa Datu Haruyan, Kucing Hitam Pancar Sukur Ayuang, and Subu Jassan Barabai.

Chairperson of Kompak elected Abdul Manan said so far kuntau traditional martial arts had greatly decreased in popularity, especially in HST, although quite a number of schools are still studying the art spreading in the district.

"With the establishment of this community, we can make it a place of friendship and information sharing, so that in the future this ancestral heritage martial arts still exist and can be preserved," said Manan who is also the trainer of Hasyim Harimau Sambar Antang from Ilung Village.

Why is named the brotherhood community? Manan, who is a member of the TNI at the 1002 Barabai Military District Command, explained in terms of panguntauan fellow kuntau players although from different schools, but from ancestors to the present are still badadangsanakan (brothers), so it continues to preserve the term of brotherhood to date.

"Every school has a flower (style) with different characters. In the future, we will create an opening flower movement which includes elements from all the joined schools. That is meaning though it is different but one to preserve traditional martial arts," he said.