Rumbling is the name of the game
MARTIAL arts have existed since mankind realised the need for self-defence against physical threats – from nature, at first.
This explains why many moves in martial arts — as well as the weapons — are based on the elements in nature.
The blade-based instruments like swords and axes could have derived from how the ancient people saw animals tear the flesh off their prey; the fighting sticks and clubs from the way horned creatures fought in the wild and shields from how certain materials like hardwood could withstand the rough elements.
The discovery of metals like iron gave early men the means to further reinforce their weapons — a timely technology, considering the human population at the time had begun to expand rapidly and with this, various tribes emerged and conflicts grew over natural resources such as land.
By then, martial arts had become even more sophisticated, serving more than to just protect humans from the harsh elements. As civilisations flourished, so did the art of combat – and it appeared each community had its own version. Sticks and daggers A common feature among all armed martial arts is that the weapons are extensions of the fighter’s body.
“The concept began with empty-hand combat skills, incorporating moves from nature.
“As time passed, martial arts began to complement these moves with weapons – basic tools like wooden sticks and bamboos, at first, before more complex ones like swords, daggers and spears,” said silat practitioner Mohammad Firdouz Sazali.
The 35-year-old is president of Kelab Beladiri Kontemporari Kuching (Berumbak Studio), a platform he founded in 2013 for local silat practitioners to train together.
The word “berumbak” is Sarawak Malay for “to rumble.”
For Firdouz, it signifies the objective of incorporating the best aspects of each martial discipline he has learnt into one concept.
“In short, the best of many worlds,” he explained.
Berumbak Studio has come a long way since its registration four years ago, having produced worthy exponents for various local mixed martial arts (MMA) events, expanded its membership from the initial 22 to the present 72 and engaged in collaborative courses with other martial arts schools.
At Berumbak Studio, the participants get to learn elements of Silat Betawi, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muaythai-kickboxing and also “Arnis.” Collaboration Recently, Berumbak Studio engaged Arnis Malaysia (AM) to conduct courses on the Dagooc Arnis System (DAS) for local martial arts enthusiasts. The “Arnis” – also known as “kali” or “eskrima” – is the national combat sport of the Philippines. The three words are roughly
The concept began with empty-hand combat skills, incorporating moves from nature. As time passed, martial arts began to complement these moves with weapons – basic tools like wooden sticks and bamboos, at first, before more complex ones like swords, daggers and spears.
interchangeable under the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA), emphasising weapon-based fighting with sticks, bladed instruments and also “improvised” weaponry, using items at hand for combat.
Arnis is said to be an effective self-defence technique taught to the enforcement forces not only in the Philippines but also several other countries such as the US.
In 2005, it was introduced in the SEA Games in Manila.
“The elements of Arnis can be seen in many Hollywood blockbusters like the Bourne Trilogy, Arrow and Book of Eli. We have been incorporating Arnis in our classes for a couple of years but now we have the opportunity to teach it to our fighters — thanks to the engagement with AM,” Firdouz said.
DAS was founded by Grandmaster Rodel Dagooc, considered a living legend and one among a few to lay the cornerstone of modern Arnis. His mentor was Grandmaster Remy Amador Presas, the “Father of Modern Arnis.”
“The system was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Arnis is now being taught in Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Japan, Australia, Israel, Italy, Spain, Germany, Mexico and some parts of the US,” Firdouz said, adding that the collaboration with AM would result in Sarawak becoming the next centre for teaching Arnis in Malaysia, apart from Klang Valley.
The recent course, held at Berumbak Studio at Bandar Baru Samariang, attracted 22 individuals from Kuching and Sibu. The facilitators were Fakhruddin Mohamed and Clarence Chua, the co-founders of AM.
According to Firdouz, the participants have various martial arts backgrounds and are interested to further diversify their skills and fighting techniques. “The collaboration with AM is meant to form an Affiliated Training Group of Arnis Malaysia under DAS in Kuching. It also serves to promote FMA in Sarawak, seeing that we (Berumbak Studo) are the first and only such training group here,” he said.
During the two-day session, each lasting four hours, participants went through standup, ground and weapon-based fights.
“They were taught the basics – empty-hand techniques, strikes using sticks, block-and-counter and weapon disarming.
“The unique feature of FMA is its versatility. What’s taught in the empty-hand techniques can also be applied in weapon-based techniques – the set of movements is rather similar.” SEA Games vision Firdouz said he first met Fakhruddin in 2012 during a seminar on silat in Melaka.
“At the time, he was the sole practitioner of FMA in Malaysia. Upon its establishment in 2016, AM was authorised by the DAS headquarters in the Philippines to teach Arnis in Malaysia.
“As for myself, I wanted to have various types of fighting styles in my studio. So, I contacted him and discussed it with him.”
Firdouz said it would be a dream come true for him to set up an official school of Arnis in Kuching, adding that this would be possible if Sarawak could produce a black belt practitioner in the martial art.
The plan for Berumbak Studio would be to have an Arnis ‘guro’ (instructor) coming to Kuching three times a year to monitor the progress.
“In that time, upgrading tests will be conducted as well. Seeing that the next SEA Games (2019) will be held in Manila, we’re hoping to send severallocal exponents for the Arnis competition. This is our Arnis vision,” he added.
Those interested to know more about Berumbak Studio can access https://www.facebook. com/berumbakstudio while details on AM can be obtained by visiting https://www.arnismalaysia.com, with social media platforms (#arnismalaysia) on both Facebook and Instagram.