Khatam Philosophy

             Khatam in Silat Seni Gayong are a common and apply on some of its practise. What can be defined as khatam? Khatam means the last part of something or reached the end of a thing. In Silat Seni Gayong the common and famous khatam application are in Seni Keris, Seni Lembing and Khatam AlIkhlas. For Khatam Seni Keris the applications are performed in the sea while the Khatam Seni Lembing is done at waterfall. It is different from Khatam AlIkhlas where enough by accepting it at home or some place that comfort. 

             What significant of all the mention matter. Let us goes one at a time.

             Khatam Seni Keris is a reach end after training Seni Keris. It is a myth in the Malay Archipelago that all the great Keris are gathered at the sea and the similarity of the keris blade are like the waves. In Silat Seni Gayong it was stressed that Khatam Seni Keris are for the practitioners to be reminded that we are only human being and as per our application of the khatam shows symbolically that we submit ourselves to the AlMighty the Creators and reminding us that we are nothing compare to the Greatness. All acts performed in the ceremony are under one understanding that Allah the God and the Greatest. 

Khatam Seni Keris

             As per Khatam Seni Lembing the ceremonies are performing at waterfall symbolically the speed and strength of the water flow apply to the spear. And the same believing as Seni Keris applies to this Khatam Seni Lembing. The earth was made with different stages such as 7 heavens and earth and all those creation are from the AlMighty the creator of the universe and mankind. Basically the Khatam Seni Keris and Seni Lembing is a message that we are just a human being who does not have any instance and everything is belonging to the Creator, Allah. This is a way of reminding personnel in a culture and tradition method of the Tauhid (unity of god) that apply in this great art of a warrior Silat Seni Gayong.  All of what we seek is the blessing of the prophet and the mercy of Allah the Creator. 

Khatam Seni Lembing

            All the khatam mentioned are the laws (syariat) of us as a human and the khatam are strong in spiritual when asked to complete the 70000 times recite or dzikr of the surah AlIkhlas. The surah AlIkhlas are been encouraged to the members to complete the reciting and at the end will be khatam for the act. The meaning in the surah AlIkhlas cleared mentioning that the Creator Allah is the Greatest and the only one we should seek help. With the blessing and mercy that cultivated from the surah AlIklhas, the spirit of the members of Silat Seni Gayong hope to been blessed and mercy all the time to live as a warrior and human been given good deeds and serve for the goodness of the mankind. Overall the practises in Silat Seni Gayong are doing well for the mankind and although it is the art of the warrior but it did serve as a tools to bring good deed to the human race.

                                  Langit biru terang benderang,

                                  Sesekali  bersinar pelangi,

                                  Aku selindung balik yang terang,

                                  Kenal akan aku agar kamu memahami.

Lembing An Introduction

            Spears are either known as Tombak in the Javanese words and were called Lembing by the Malay. There were two types of Lembing , the throwing spears and one used for fighting at close quarters. Lembing basically are ballistic weapon and the stem was made from straight wood that measure from opening arms from one end to the other. The blades were made and design like knife and sharp blade were inserted into the stem and reinforced with rattan or ferrule bond. 

Seni Lembing Practitioner In A Custom And Tradition Attire of The Art

            Malay Lembing is more shorter and sharp blade at the edge. There are many types of blades that can be found such as wide spear like leaf,  wide blade and light long stem normally are mean for ballistic purposes and a spear used for battle the blade are long and sharp and the stem are strong.

Training Seni Lembing

            In the art of a warrior Lembing are commonly used with both hand in defending and slicing and were used as a throwing weapons at a certain time. The length of a Lembing stem is measured from the shoulder to the ground and the blades are about a span length. The blades are various from a beetle leaf design alike or from a bamboo leaf design. 

Training Seni Lembing

            In this art of the warrior, Silat Seni Gayong training Seni Lembing is ended in a tradition and culture known as Khatam Seni lembing. The ceremonies are performed at a waterfall symbolically the sharpness and the speed of the spears are similarity as the strength of the water that flow from the falls. Like Seni keris , the Khatam of Seni Lembing are accompanied with a batch of necessary groceries meant for the ceremony. The training is also worn with a red belt that is roll over the waist.

Khatam Seni Lembing

             It is been told that a warrior that mastered in the art of Lembing are Megat Terawis and Seni Lembing that been training in Silat Seni Gayong are from this warrior way of applying techniques and a unique culture and tradition of accomplishments of the art. Therefore in order to mastered Seni Lembing once must really mastered the way of applying the hand ,changing and controlling the stem of the Lembing while making a movements of thrust and slicing, throwing and changing hands drill.

Khatam Seni Lembing at Waterfalls

            Seni Lembing a unique weapons of the Malay and in Silat Seni Gayong and as mystery and unique as Keris. A culture should be preserved and maintain for the next generations.

                                              Megat Terawis hulubalang agung,

                                              Seni Lembing mainan asalnya,

                                              Anak Melayu harus memegang,

                                              Tradisi lama agar berpunya.

Kuala Sedili - Penghujung Gayong

            Kuala Sedili is located in Johor, South of Malaysia in the district of Kota Tinggi. It was entrusted by the late founder of Silat Seni Gayong to visit this historical place of Gayong. According to the history of Gayong which was told by the late Dato Meor Abdul Rahman,Kuala Sedili is the end of Gayong ( penghujung Gayong).Why it was said to be the end of Gayong is still ponder in the mind.

            After the deceased of the founder, I took a chance to visit this historical place in mid nineties. Because to fulfilling the entrusted, without any clue just heading straight to the destination. When reached at Tanjong Sedili, sitting at the sea shore thinking what I should do here as per the founder entrusted and trying to unveil the mystery. After doing some thinking I went to the village coffee shop and asked the customer there where most of them are local. What I got is that Kuala Sedili is opposite Tanjong Sedili and to go there we have to take a boat which the fare is fifty cents. At least I had some clue and the journey continued. 

A view from Kuala Sedili To Tanjong Sedili

           Kuala Sedili is a village and located in the shore of east of Malaysia, near the Island of Tioman and was told in the old days we can have a glance the Island of Sudong from here .The village, with a straight row of shops, a scattered boat, a Malay house, a grave yard which are told as the grave of a noble sheikh who spread Islam and totally a cosy village. In arrival at the shore of Kuala Sedili one more time I was lost, where to start from .What I do is to go to the chieftain house and start from there. My planned and guess were right and it happened that the chieftain is the son of the oldest man in Kuala Sedili. Unfortunately I have forgotten his name I remembered I wrote it in a diary but I have misplace it.

It was told this is the grave of Dang Anum ... under the roof

             Anyway this old man, at the age of 90 at that time is still strong and the only problem that he had is only the hearing. We need to speak loud or shout in order for him to hear what we are saying. Before he started bringing me for a tour he told a little bit about himself. According to him, he is the great, great grandson of the legendary Laksamana Bentan. Wow! That’s great at least I am meeting with the descendant of the legendary Malay warrior. He told me that although his great, great grandfather is a warrior but he was prohibited from learning silat because it was afraid that if it would embarrass the descent if been challenge by an opponent since that they are from the great warrior line. A story that was not accepted by me and from my view he is just trying to be humble. 

Kuala Sedili pier

            After a coffee I was taken for a tour, I was shown the grave of Dang Anum , a wife of Laksamana Bentan, a cape with a mystical story, and was told a story of the Kuala itself and many historical story about Kuala Sedili. When asked about silat, any person practise silat, and was told it was none. But according to him long time ago yes they trained at the rubber plantation with real machete and was like in a real fight. And Kuala Sedili was a based for the Malay Warrior to meet and planned for an attack against the colonialist. 

The new Kuala Sedili mosque, the old mosque are made from board

            A mystical things that happened at the cape every time in the month of Muharam , an old coin appeared  from the sea to the shore and in the middle there is a big stone which was been tried by an appointed contractor to blast it but failed. From the story there are too many mystery surrounding Kuala Sedili and from my assessments the place are meeting place for all the warrior of the Malay or is this what was called “satu masa kembali berteguh” in the poem of Silat Seni Gayong. Let us unveil the secret together.

   

          

                                     Kuala Sedili Tempat Sejarah,

                                     Tempat hulubalang Bertemu Sua,

                                     Rahsia Tersimpan Dalam Khazanah,

                                     Semoga Menjadi Pegangan Semua

Keris Pendawa Lima

            Keris Pendawa Lima as it was named is the keris of the late founder Dato Meor Abdul Rahman of Silat Seni Gayong. A keris with a beautiful handcraft which was decorated with shining stones on the holder. Unfortunately all those are history to the new members of Silat Seni Gayong because the keris was missing somewhere in the seventies. 

            The sad day happen at a hotel in Chow Kit after the late founder performing the initiation ceremony and since that day it was never seen again. Although searches were made of finding back the keris but all the hoping turn frustrated and sad.

            The unique,Keris Pendawa Lima also used as a tool to medication purposes and cures with the blessing of the AlMighty. With the lost of the keris it means a missing of another precious tradition in Silat Seni Gayong which was known as “mandi Keris Pendawa Lima”. 

The Legendary Keris Taming Sari

            For those who had visited the founder house during his days and if are lucky will be asked to take this bath tradition. The ceremony was conducted in a pool which located not far from the house. Entering from another end and exit to the other end.

            If we are in Taiping today we can still see remain of the pool where the bath ceremony usually were conduct. The bath so symbolically and significantly in retaining the spirit from the founder descendent keris.

           It was a tragic moment when lost of the keris and a miss and tradition only can be told in stories rather than seeing with on eyes. A precious tradition were lost and hoping that other Silat Seni Gayong tradition were remain intact and preserved for the next generations. Together we preserved the remaining tradition and may it be preserved as it is.Silat Seni Gayong a Malay art with rich full of magnificence and beauty culture to be protect.

                                            Meredah Belukar Di Sungai Dua,

                                            Condong  Hala Ke Mentari,

                                            Sedih Di hati Tidak Bersua,

                                            Tinggal Kenangan Didalam Hati.

In Brief Khatam Seni Keris

            The accomplishments of Seni Keris in Silat Seni Gayong were performed at sea. Before performing this ceremony a preparations must be made to fulfil the requirements of the event. Since that the ceremony are a tradition in Silat Seni Gayong a well planned and preparations had to be made.

            In accordance, matter such as palm top ( pucuk kelapa) , areca nut ( buah pinang) , betel nut ( sirih), clove (gambir ), lime (kapor ), yellow string at sea and at land ( tali kuning didarat dan laut), Malay cakes ( kuih Melayu 7 jenis), Flowers ( bunga 7 jenis), candles ( lilin) , chicken, yellow sticky rice ( pulut kuning)  are a few of the necessity for the event.

Surrender The Yellow Strings

            After all the requirements had been fulfil a ceremony of seeking permission to execute the event will be conducted. After the permission were granted the students had to tied the yellow strings at sea and land according to the old tips ( petua). Each single participant in the ceremony takes position forward towards the leader of the event and were given with the entire necessary item for the ceremonies. After tepung tawar  ( fresh powder) the participant are ready to move to the sea. But before that they have to light up the candle.

Waiting To be Tepung tawar

            When they turn their face towards the sea there are not permitted to turn back and a steps were made for the ceremony leading by a woman participant towards the sea. In the sea they have to circle the yellow strings for seven times and after the event, facing the sea and submerge for seven times while throwing the flower and palm top towards the sea. After all this etiquette has been performed they return to the shore and were taught the last techniques of Seni Keris.

Moving Towards The Sea

Lead By a Woman

            In this brief information I hope all the practitioners have some pictures of how the accomplishments of Seni Keris been performed and a preservation of the tradition that were passed through generations should be maintained. There are too many symbolic hidden in the ceremony and only who knows will get the rewards. I summoned to all Silat Seni Gayong members let us preserved our tradition as it was passed to us by the founder through generations.

                                           “ Seni Keris tapak pahlawan,

                                             Langkah seni hulubalang Melayu,

                                             Adat dan adab kekal ditawan,

                                             Agar Melayu kekal berpadu.

Ilmu dan Petua

            Knowledge and tips ( Ilmu dan petua) in Silat Seni Gayong are various. The most important thing in this section is, how well verse us in the knowledge and tips. In Silat Seni Gayong every each practise are combining of the two, knowledge and tips. Without it, the applications of the practise are like dull or missing some ingredients in it. 

             I would like to share some example in this manner. When a qualified person performing or preparing the boiling oil he must be equip with the knowledge and tips. He must know when it is the time to dye his hand in the boiling oil or what kind of different conditions happen and things to do when handling this event and at the end it was closed with reciting some prayers which we called as knowledge or ilmu, where else earlier it was terms as tips or petua.

            All those kind of combinations is a must in the art of Silat Seni Gayong. In all aspect of the movements in Silat Seni Gayong there are knowledge and tips. Again an example in the art of weapons, a tip of application in making the weapons can be used to an invulnerable is by stabbing to the ground and with reciting some versus as knowledge.

             Even if we are making our way to a destination, performing a martial arts demonstration, instructing a class, meeting people and all aspects of life there are always a tips and knowledge. With this entire manner the practitioners of Silat Seni Gayong are well equip with all sort of knowledge in order for them to be a perfect warrior. Those practises are passed from generation and preserved within the community of Silat Seni Gayong as an ancient art of Malay warrior. 

             Tips are various, some are from what we observe and some are from what we feel. For an example of what we feel are from famous Gayong art of feeling , if there is a bad luck going to happen ,which by sliding them palm to the arms and hear the sound of the friction or in Gayong we terms it as “gersik di pantai”. And all this will follow by reciting some prayer as what we called as “langkah hulubalang”.

             Whilst an example of tips that we observe are as such the movements of the silat practitioners in applying their movements generally whether application of some mystical movements will be made or not and if things are considered as a threat a preparations of countering must be made by a tips and knowledge.

 In brief, in Silat Seni Gayong there are full of colours of tips and knowledge and every single practitioner must take the opportunity to understand this Malay belief in a preparation of being a true Malay warrior.

                                         “Ilmu Dan Petua Tidak Dapat Dipisahkan”

                                              Langkah laksamana meredah benua,

                                              Mencari penawar serba guna,

                                              Jikalau diamal ilmu dan petua,

                                              Rahsia yang ada tidak berguna , 

Seni Sundang Lipas

            Seni Sundang Lipas is an art of weapon in the training of Silat Seni Gayong. These arts are paired with the sarong which was terms as cindai. Sundang as we called it was terms as a sabre of the Malay Bugis and Malay Sulu and widely used in the Sulawesi and the island of Sulu. The known sundang are called Keris Sundang which is designed as keris but bigger and longer.

            Whilst the sundang had been used in Silat Seni Gayong are called Sundang Lipas. These sabre has two types, one is with a one hand holding while the other one is with both hand. The length of the Sundang Lipas is measure from the head of individual size. The Sundang Lipas had two blades from each side and are used for cutting. The Sundang Lipas are used for flip and it is not meant for stabbing.

The Late Founder With Sundang Lipas

            The Sundang Lipas is tied with the sarong and are used whether at side or at the back in a perfect knot. In training of perfection of the art, a banana stem was used to train in cutting and speed of the movements.  It is a dangerous art which all the cut are jeopardising the opponent and the movements are all killing movements. 

Sundang Lipas and Sarong As The Holder

            There are seven type of holding a Sundang Lipas in Silat Seni Gayong and all the movements are based on speed and accuracy and for that it was called Sundang Lipas. The sundang Lipas are specially designed with a kind of “moustache” at the edge of the blade before the holder. At the end of the blade the shape are “U” shape and the size of the blade are approximately three and a half fingers wide.

Sundang Lipas Tied at The Back

            The art of Sundang Lipas are highly preserved and been taught as one of the higher weapons techniques in this ancient art. It’s normal for most of the art in Silat Seni Gayong the etiquette are well taken care of and accompanying this art are the practise which has to be recite when trained in this Seni Sundang Lipas art.

             It was a sad and pity for those who didn’t get a correct designed and techniques of the art because it was mistaken understanding that the art was similar with the art of machete, where totally the truly art are different and the techniques are more awesome from other blade art. May we have the blessing in preserving this ancient art of Seni Sundang Lipas.

                    " Sundang Lipas Nama Di Gelar"

                      Asal Dari Melayu Bugis
                      Silap Serang Berkelar-kelar
                      Cantas Sendi Tanpa Tangis"