Kuntao

 

Kuntao/kuntau/kuntaw itu ibarat saudara tua (kepada ilmu silat) yang merantau jauh, lalu bertemu kembali dengan keluarganya di tanah Nusantara. Saat diriku mempelajari alur pukulan, cara kaki menjejak tanah, dan bagaimana tubuh “membaca” lawan, terasa sekali napasnya mirip dengan silat yakni sama-sama menekankan keluwesan, akar yang kuat, dan kecerdikan gerak. Bedanya hanya di bumbu budaya, tetapi inti ilmunya memanfaatkan tenaga pergerakan dan tenaga menyerang serta defense secara efisien, cara bermain di berbagai sudut, dan mendahulukan rasa sebelum tenaga ..itu serasa satu rumah. Sebagai orang yang "bergulat" lumayan lama dalam silat, melihat Kuntao seperti melihat cermin dari masa lalu waktu latihan bersama almarhum Mas Amien, yang mengingatkan bahwa ilmu bela diri Nusantara selalu tumbuh lewat pertemuan, bukan pemisahan.

Dalam perjalanan panjang Kuntao, tiap daerah memberi warnanya sendiri semacam air sungai yang tetap sama tapi rasanya beda di hulu dan hilir. Kuntau Dayak misalnya, dikenal dengan gaya yang membumi, gerakan pendek dan padat, seolah setiap langkah mengikat roh tanah di bawah kaki. Di Banjar, Kuntau cenderung lebih ringan, ada sentuhan ritme dan keluwesan khas pesisir, dengan permainan tangan yang cepat menyambar seperti ombak kecil yang tiba-tiba naik. Pada komunitas Tionghoa-Indonesia, Kuntao berkembang lewat jalur keluarga, membawa pola pukulan linear, sudut tajam, dan struktur tubuh mirip aliran selatan Tiongkok (China) ringkas tapi menggigit. Sementara di kepulauan Filipina, pengaruh Kuntao bertemu dengan tangkisan dan permainan senjata FMA, melahirkan corak yang kasar tapi cerdas: banyak entry yang memotong garis, disertai jebakan tangan yang membuat lawan seperti “tertelan” sebelum sempat paham apa yang terjadi. Semua ini tetap satu rumpun... beda rasa, tapi satu akar. I may be innaccurate in describing the kuntau variants but this is solely based on my observation only. Tapi inilah sedikit sebanyak apa yang saya tau dan pahami.  

The Brain Behind the Movement: How drills in Martial Arts Sharpen the Mind

Participating in disciplines such as Martial arts, dance, and team sports does far more than build physical strength or coordination. These practices also enhance cognitive function and strengthen the brain’s internal circuitry through a blend of physical movement, mental challenge, and social interaction that actively reshapes the mind.

Physical movement, especially one involving precision, timing, and awareness, promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt, reorganize, and form new neural connections. When we train through silat drills or kali flow patterns, the brain releases neurotrophic factors such as BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). This compound nourishes neurons, strengthens synaptic links, and enhances learning, memory, and emotional balance.

The cognitive demands of these arts are profound. Each session requires planning, focus, recall, and multitasking, all of which engage the prefrontal cortex, the region responsible for executive function, decision-making, and impulse control. In silat, the ability to read an opponent’s intent while maintaining calm focus trains the mind to respond consciously rather than react impulsively.

Memorizing psychomotor drills like as in Silat drill based jurus or kali flow sequences, activates the hippocampus, the brain area essential for memory formation. Over time, this enhances both short-term recall and long-term retention. Maintaining awareness of body alignment, breathing rhythm, and the shifting position of an opponent strengthens attentional control within the prefrontal cortex.

Dynamic drills, such as reacting to a sudden blade angle in kali or countering a sweep in silat, sharpen reflexes and processing speed, reinforcing neural pathways for rapid yet mindful response. The cerebellum, which governs coordination and balance, is also deeply engaged, refining both gross and fine motor control through repetitive, intentional movement.

Beyond the physical and mental aspects, arts like silat and dance cultivate spatial intelligence which is the ability to sense, navigate, and adapt within one’s environment. This awareness is the root of movement economy: knowing where you are, where your opponent stands, and how energy flows between both bodies.

In essence, the martial path is a neurological training ground. Through every jurus, langkah, and sinawali drill, we are not merely conditioning muscle. We are sculpting the brain itself. The mind becomes agile, the senses alert, and the bond between body and consciousness grows ever stronger.

 

Silat and FMA

Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) and Silat both come from the maritime world of the Malay Archipelago and can be seen as related traditions. Some even describe them as sister arts. Influenced by trade, migration, and warfare, these martial arts developed in ways that are different but complementary. FMA focuses on smooth weapon movements, tactical flow, and precise blade control. Silat, on the other hand, emphasizes grounded body movement, deceptive footwork, and cultural philosophy. When studied together, they strengthen each other, helping practitioners improve their skills and gain a deeper understanding of Southeast Asia’s shared martial heritage.

Both Silat and FMA share roots in the culture of the Austronesian seafaring peoples. Long before modern nations existed, the ancestors of the Malay Archipelago carried blades, boats, and belief systems across islands and coasts. Their martial arts developed through this shared experience. Silat grew with ritualized movements, grounded stances, and clever entries, while FMA focused on weapon flow, angle awareness, and tactical techniques. These arts are not separate inventions but different expressions of the same ancient maritime warrior tradition.

At their core, Silat and FMA are both weapon-based systems. They were created from the use of knives, sticks, and swords. Empty-hand techniques are built on the principles of weapon movement, not the other way around. This makes the connection between Silat and FMA undeniable, and it shows why understanding weapons is essential to fully grasping either art.

The Srivijaya Empire, which flourished from the 7th to 13th centuries, was an important center of trade and culture in Southeast Asia. Evidence shows that Silat was practiced during this time, particularly in the Srivijaya kingdom in Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. This early form of Silat laid the foundation for martial traditions that would develop later.

After the decline of Srivijaya, the Majapahit Empire rose in the 13th century, bringing much of the Indonesian archipelago under its rule. Silat reached its peak during this period. It was used not only for fighting but also to teach loyalty, discipline, and spiritual strength. Silat was part of military strategy and governance, showing its importance in shaping Southeast Asia’s culture and martial arts.

At the same time, the Philippine islands, connected through these same maritime networks, developed their own martial traditions that evolved into FMA. The movement of people and ideas across the seas allowed martial knowledge to spread, creating arts that, while different, share common principles rooted in the region’s maritime culture.

Silat and FMA are not separate traditions. They are deeply connected and reflect the shared heritage of Southeast Asia. Their common roots allow practitioners to improve their skills and understanding, linking culture, history, and martial arts in a meaningful way.

As for the question whether at that point of time their (the Filipinos) fighting art is already called silat or they go by another name?

My answer is that from what I’ve seen and know, the southern Philippines especially Mindanao silat exponent and masters (excluding eskrimadors), still use the term silat. They’re really part of the same cultural family as us if you look at the artifacts, history, and movement styles. In the northern and central Philippines, they use terms like kali, eskrima, and arnis for similar arts, likely because of Spanish influence and the knowledge that came with it. The Spanish added fencing elements to their weapons training, and later the Americans added boxing into the empty-hand techniques, which developed into panantukan basically boxing, kuntau, and silat without the flowery parts. 

In mainstream eskrima circles, silat is officially not seen as part of FMA (Filipino Martial Arts). This is clear in the views of many pro-colonial historians and practitioners. However, some Muslim practitioners in Mindanao were aware of this exclusion but still remained loyal to the Philippines, creating their own systems that combined FMA, kuntau, and silat.

Still, you can’t deny what Guro Dan Inosanto said: “We are all the same people; it’s just tribal ego that keeps us divided.” Senior silat practitioners who disagree with this can argue about it endlessly, but maybe they just haven’t seen the evidence yet.

Personally, I lean toward a unified Nusantara narrative and as a pesilat. (answers have been streamlined to observe grammar - slightly different from what I had typed in forum posting ) 

 

Nuances to consider:

  Silat as practiced in Mindanao is part of the “Malay world” martial system, sharing DNA with Malaysian Silat and Indonesian Pencak Silat, while adapting to local context.

  FMA’s claim of “ancient warrior arts” often does not acknowledge pre-colonial or Islamic influences in detail, partly due to nationalism and colonial narrative simplification.

 

In practice, FMA and Silat overlap significantly:

Stances, footwork (triangular), and weapon angles often align.

Kuntaw itself is a bridge art (Chinese Kuntao + Silat) that predates some organized FMA systems.

Personally in practice, It is not wise to say you can't put it together.    As long as its not a baseless knowledge.