BEHIND THE STORY: KASUNDAN INTERNATIONAL SILAT CAMP
2- 8 AUGUST 2025, GARUT, WEST JAVA – INDONESIA
My journey representing KALA MAKARA at the KASUNDAN INTERNATIONAL SILAT CAMP 2025 in Garut, West Java, began on August 2, 2025, at midnight, departing from Blok M, South Jakarta, riding a 150cc motorcycle.
The trip was estimated at five hours and covered 230 km, passing through Cibubur, Jonggol, Bukit Pinus, Cianjur, Padalarang, Bandung, and Nagrek. Upon arrival at PADEPOKAN KASUNDAN, located at Jalan Pataruman No. 27, Sukaratu Village, Sucinaraja District, Garut Regency, I found that I was the first participant to arrive at 6:30 AM.
I was welcomed by several committee members who were already there. The day’s schedule included meeting other participants, a detailed talk about pencak silat, and the history of kasundan by Kang Cecep Ariff Rahman, who explained kasundan and its different silat styles from West Java and Sumatra, such as Cimande, Sera, Cikalong, Cikaret, Taji Malera, Syahbandar, and Panglipur. After handing out the merchandise, we had lunch and a break, then watched a 30-minute video of Kang Cecep’s performance.
He also explained the basic moves, techniques, and fighting routines of KASUNDAN pencak silat. Activities at the padepokan finished around 3:00 PM. Participants then went to the KASUNDAN INTERNATIONAL SILAT CAMP 2025 opening ceremony at RESTORASA near Garut train station. The ceremony featured local dances and pencak silat by the Kasundan Pencak Silat School, followed by a social gathering and dinner. The following day, August 3, 2025, the event continued at Masagi Gym.
There were three workshop sessions. The first, from 9:00 to 11:20 AM, was led by Abah Asep Gurwawan from Panglipur Pencak Silat School. He taught the Cimande Limbuhan movement, the eight main direction steps, and Panglipur golok techniques.
The second workshop, led by Cak Sarkowi, a young teacher from Madura, East Java, featured pencak silat with new and lively attack and defense techniques. Cak Sarkowi’s skills in pencak silat have been handed down through his family for generations. The third session was led by Master Agus Irwan from Panglipur Pencak Silat Padekopan, who taught the basic concepts and applications of Sundanese Pencak Silat and Ibingan Panglipur techniques, such as ‘Jalan Mutual.’ After that, we had dinner and a barbecue at Kasundan Padepokan.
On August 4, 2025, the event moved to Garland Barnville, a beautiful and elegant place. Sensei Hakim led the first session, introducing Aikido’s key concepts and primary techniques, which focus on harmony, utilizing energy, and avoiding force with force. He taught shizentai (natural posture), seichusen (inner center), and the balance of heart, mind, and body. Relaxation and calmness were taught through movement and quiet. Hamni (half-body stance) and chushin (center line), along with their usage, were also explained.
In the day’s second session, Kangmas Aryo, a pencak silat master from the Setia Hati school in Central Java, introduced the traditional Setia Hati style. He showed short steps, medium stances, and close-up fighting moves for knocking down and holding opponents.
The last session was led by Edwel Yusri Datuak Rajo Gampo Alam, a master from West Sumatra known for his skill in Minangkabau silat. He taught close-up fighting without weapons, including jabs, crosses, uppercuts, and kicks, as well as how to use sarongs and karambits. The participants found the activity physically tough and ended the day with dinner at Bumi Upi Garut Restaurant.
On August 5, 2025, the event took place at Sumber Alam Resort Garut, a comfortable and beautiful place. The workshop was held on the lawn, where Bli Ketut Wirana, a well-known Balinese silat master from Lingga Bumi, taught self-defense using traditional art movements.
By
Coach Ari
Group Leader Indonesia
