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ALOHA !!!!

WELCOME TO SUNDA SILAT.COM

Sunda Silat is based in the same core-styles as Pencak Silat Mande Muda. This is not really unusual when you consider the founder, Bambang Suwanda is the younger brother of the late Pendekar Herman Suwanda, and son of the founder of Mande Muda, Bapak Uyuh Suwanda.

Advanced practitioners of Pencak Silat Mande Muda will usually closely resemble practitioners of Sunda Silat, as both are training in what is essentially the same system.

The difference is that while Pencak Silat Mande Muda was taught with a JKD "Catch as catch can" approach, Sunda Silat is more style-specific, with a strong emphasis on learning the fundamentals that make each individual style unique. As opposed to random techniques thrown together, students learn the full langkahs, jurus, buah and ibing of each style, as well as advanced variations for each. After the student has grasped a firm, clear understanding of the basics, they are encouraged to flow the styles together into whatever combination best suits their individual strengths and weaknesses along with their individual background/knowledge of other marital arts. Systems of Sunda Silat:

    
                           
           

Cimande
Cikalong
Syahbandar
Harimau
Pamacan
Pamonyet
Rikesan
 Tanjakan
 Sabetan
 Ulin Napas
 Sampiyong
 Sabetan

 

  

Benjang
Sera
Timbangan
Mahdi
Kari
Cipecut
Nampon
Ulin Baduy
Sanalika
Cikaret 
Galih Pakuan 

            
     

 

                      
   

Videos:

The word pencak is originally from Java and it refers to the martial arts of that area. Penca, without the k is the original spelling of the Sunda language. Pencak with the k , comes from Bahasa Indonesia, the national language of Indonesia, and refers to the movement or beauty of the martial arts. Silat refers to the actual fighting.

Pencak Silat comes from the areas of Indonesia, southern Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, southern Thailand.

In West Java, the application of Pencak is called Maenpo which means to do Pencak. In the past the word Maenpo was referred to when challenging people to a fight to the death. Maen, the Sudanese spelling, literally means "to play". The word Main is the Indonesian language spelling of the same word. Po means "forget" so the translation of Maenpo is "forget to play". This terminology is rarely used today. In Indonesia, Pencak Silat was originally taught as a secretive art to the family and to members of the village. In West Java during the 1940's through the 1970's you could see Pencak Silat routinely performed in village ceremonies.

The names of the Pencak Silat styles come from various sources such as the name of the village it originated from or the name of the founder or creator of the system. Most villages in West Java start with "Ci". Ci means pointing to a particular village or Chi which can mean water. This is why many of the rivers start with Ci. Mahdi, Kari and Sera refer to the creators of the styles i.e. Pak Mahdi, Pak Kari and Pak Sera.

I have been fortunate to have met, learned and experienced not just Pak Herman, his family and the rich culture of West Java along with pencak silat but more importantly learned about life. My teacher, the late Pak Herman on one of his visits to my place once told me that learning silat is not just about martial arts but learning to be a better person. Silat when studied correctly teaches one to be humble and assist others and appreciate life. He always said that being a good person is not easy and life as a whole is not easy but we are in control of our destiny. We attempt to keep his dream and philosophy alive by researching into more styles of silat and spreading the art via Guru Bambang and Sunda Silat. We also thank all friends, supporters, students, etc. for your continued supporting keeping Pak Herman’s dream alive. Personally I like to thank Guru Daniel Pratseya for all your help, support, advice and keep our friendship going forever along with my other brothers in silat; Bahati, Phil, Dave, Tom, Danny, Mike in LA, James in Canada, Curtis, etc. My students, Leo, Greg, Jessie, Jerry, Eric, Mel, Mark, Raymond, John in SF, Wayne, Mike, Benton, Patrick, Percival, Lee, Alex, Thurman, Mel, etc. and special uchinanchu tomodachi LN (you da one) for all your kokua and being part of my ohana.

TERIMA KASIH/MAHALO NUI LOA everyone for visiting the site. Feel free to contact us for information about training camps, DVD material, t-shirts, seminars, etc.