Bangu Putih or White Crane Silat was founded in 1952 by Suhu Subur Rahardja in Bogor, West Java as Persatuan Gerak Badan, or PGB (which means “gymnastics club”) . At that time, the organization’s main activities have focused on managing Silat classes as well as supporting various socially-oriented initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of the surrounding community.
A white crane or Bangau Putih was chosen as the symbol for the Silat school, as the crane embodied several desirable characteristics, such as its adaptability to different circumstances, and an ability to fly, but not so high as to become too distant from the world. Additionally, a crane cannot be tied down, yet possesses a harmonious life cycle. Cranes also gather together but do so peacefully. Finally, the crane’s most eminent characteristic is its deep internal calm.
PGB expanded quickly in the 1950’s and 60’s with numerous branches opening up around Bogor and in Jakarta. In the 1972, Silat movements from PGB Bangau Putih were introduced to Bengkel Theater in Yogyakarta. This led to the introduction of Silat to the first foreign student, an American woman, in 1973 who had been studying with the well-known theater group and wanted to explore PGB Bangau Putih further.
In 1974, an Indonesian PGB student travelled to Germany to attend university and began training students there. In 1978, another branch was founded in Berkely, California. With the introduction of silat to the West, numerous Americans and Europeans came to Bogor to deepen their knowledge of Silat “Science”. PGB Bangau Putih continued to expand globally, and now has branches in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East in addition to branches throughout Indonesia.
Founder
Suhu Subur Rahardja learned martial arts as a young child from five teachers, including his father, and his uncle Pek Kiem Bouw. Other teachers included Mpe Sutur, the founder of the Cimande Pencak Silat school, Asuk Yak Long, and Gusti Djelantik.
Subur Rahardja showed exceptional discipline and ability in his martial arts practice as a young child. While in his twenties, he continued learning from four of his peers who had likewise learned from their families, as in the Chinese tradition, each family possesses a particular martial art system, generally associated with the particular family which is passed on to future generations.
Suhu was highly respected for his compassion for fellow human beings and dedication to spreading the science of Silat. He was considered to have possessed great spiritual power and never showed a trace of arrogance, choosing to wear simple white clothing as his daily attire.
Suhu Subur Rahardja died after a car accident in 1986, leaving behind a great legacy of Silat knowledge for humanity.
Techniques
Bangau Putih has different animal forms such as Macan (Tiger), Monyet (Monkey), Naga (Dragon), Ular (Snake), Bangau (Crane), Kerbau (Water Buffalo), Macan Tutul (Leopard), among others and non-animal forms such as Bambu (Bamboo), Angin (Wind), and Lo Han. There are also several weapons forms such as Pedang (saber), double edged sword, staff, sticks, and knives to name just a few.
Movements can be very hard fighting techniques on one hand which can include difficult acrobatic skills, or less muscular movements of the sort associated with internal systems, movements in the women’s system, and energy development techniques.
Movements fall under the following general categories:
- Short Movements – Stances with punches and blocks and kicking, jumping, rolling, and falling. All of our training takes place on a wooden floor, without mats. This inspires students to perfect their technique!
- Long Movements – There are many, many Long Movements in the animal styles. They are choreographed combinations of Short Movements, with a focus on flow and the character of the animal. If the Short Movements are the notes, or the scales, the Long Movements are the melody.
- Partner Exercises – One-on-one repetition of drills. Though some are martial, like punching and blocking, others are quite the opposite and are very gentle, soothing harmonious exercises that will sooner produce a smile than a bruise. All partner exercises are focused on the development of feeling – feeling the movement and intention of one’s partner, as well as oneself.
- Tui Cu (tui cu) – (controlled sparring) During Tui Cu students have the opportunity to test the martial applications of the short movements they’ve been practicing while trying to move in a “Silat” way. This is like improvising combinations of Short Movements with a partner; think of it as a dialogue in movement.
- Self Defense – White Crane Silat is Kung Fu, and it does take some time to become proficient. It is a great system but it must be said that to be able to fight well with Kung Fu requires many things. Among them are prodigious focus and years of dedicated practice. That being said, the greatest attributes of self defense I have learned from Silat are timing, awareness, and self confidence.
- The Harmony or Health Movements – Health movements are practiced with a focus on sensitivity and suppleness, as well as breath. When practiced correctly, they offer a wonderful feeling of vitality. There are some Health Movements which are done with a partner, but most of them are done by oneself. Generally one should expect to put in a few good years of dedicated workouts before they are given any movements from the Health System.
What makes this art interesting and almost unique is that it is a “complete” martial art with most aspects of the martial tradition within the style. Thus some people may practice soft meditative movements, while others are practicing hard ground techniques. Our practice of throwing each other onto hard surfaces instead of mats leads to the ability to resist shock and withstand impact. This is perhaps the least attractive aspect of the style, but the one most likely to be used. With luck most people do not get into fights, but accidents that lead to a bad fall are quite common. For people well trained in White Crane Silat, falling is not as likely to cause injury as it is done regularly.
This information and more can be found here: http://www.pgbbangauputih.org/
