FIGHTING SPORTS IN INDONESIA: PENCAK SILAT, TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS , BOXING DEATHS

MARTIAL ARTS IN INDONESIA

caci

Sisemba is a form of kick boxing practiced by the Torajans in which contestants are not allowed to use their hands and a winner is crowned after his opponent gives up. It has traditionally been used to train young men to be strong. Sometime mass sisembas with 200 boxers are organized during festivals. “Sibamba” is a combatant sport in which participants go after each other with truncheons and water-buffalo-hide shields.

Caci is a ceremonial contest practiced by the Manggarai people of western Flores. Combatants use three-meter long whips of sharp rattan or bound cane and shields of rawhide and wear protective headgear with water buffalo motifs but otherwise are naked except for sarungs and decorative belled anklets, Matches are accompanied by gongs, drums, singing and chanting, The event is both a cultural performance and a test of endurance and skill. [Source: “Culture and Customs of Indonesia” by Jill Forshee, Greenwood Press, 2006]

Caci contestants taunt and insult each other. The whips can inﬂict deep, bloody cuts, leaving scars largely on arms and shoulders. Attackers often aim their whips at faces, necks, or hands of opponents. The scars are regarded as marks of bravery. Some say that local women are attracted to them. [Source: “Culture and Customs of Indonesia” by Jill Forshee, Greenwood Press, 2006]

Pencak Silat

Silek Lanyah is a martial art originating from the Minangkabau area of Kubu Gadang, Ekor Lubuk Village, Padang Panjang City, Sumatra; performances is usually held after the rice harvest; The movements demonstrated in Silek Lanyah are derived from the Minangkabau silat movements

“Pencak silat” is a traditional system of self-defense and a metaphysical martial art in which combatants battle each other using an inner force that emanates for the solar plexus called “tenaga dalam”. At first glance pencak silat looks like karate but the movements are quicker and more rounded. It is often done with a set pattern of movements to Indonesian music. Sometimes it is done with strange-looking weapons such as the “kris”, “parang” and “tjabang”. Practitioners often spare very hard.

Pencak silat combines combat techniques with stylized movements that resemble dance, and it includes a wide range of forms and regional variations. Practitioners continue to promote pencak silat for broader international recognition, including potential Olympic status. [Source: “Culture and Customs of Indonesia” by Jill Forshee, Greenwood Press, 2006]

Richard Critchfield wrote: "Two opponents strike at each other with hands, feet, even knives, but pull away at the last moment so blows never land. In a mock battle, each man throws the other to the ground, with attacker and victim in close rhythm. They leap about twisting and striking martial poses. All the while the gamelan orchestra beats drums. The audience taking sides, cheers and hisses." [Source: "The Villagers" by Richard Critchfield, Anchor Books]

The term pencak silat describes hundreds of indigenous combat styles in Southeast Asia, with some fighters using just their hands, feet and bodies and other wielding a wide array of weapons. It has gained greater awareness outside Indonesia after being featured in Star Wars and John Wick films. Traditional Pencak Silat covers a broad range of styles and can be different from what appears in official sporting competitions with set rules."Many tradition-based silat practitioners could not take part in those competitions because the standards are very different," 43-year-old Hasan told AFP. [Source: AFP, December 15, 2019]

Pencak Silat Placed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Pencak Silat was officially inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2019. According to UNESCO: In addition to their sporting element, Traditions of Pencak Silat also encompass mental-spiritual, self-defence and artistic aspects. The moves and styles of Pencak Silat are strongly influenced by various elements of art, involving a unity of body and movement fitting the accompanying music. [Source: UNESCO]

The term ‘pencak’ is better known in Java, while the term ‘silat’ is better known in West Sumatra, describing a group of martial arts with many similarities. In addition to local terms, each region has its own moves, styles, accompaniments, music, and supporting equipment, which includes costumes, musical instruments, and traditional weapons.

Pencak Silat practitioners are taught to maintain their relationship with God, human beings, and nature, and are trained in various techniques to deal with attacks or other dangerous situations based on principles to protect themselves as well as others, avoid harming the offender and build comradeship. The practice strengthens comradeship, maintains social order, and provides entertainment for ritual ceremonies. Related knowledge and skills are commonly taught in non-formal schools and include oral traditions and expressions such as greetings, philosophical phrases, rhymed poems, advice, as well as songs and techniques to play the instruments.

"It's an honour that pencak silat has been recognised internationally," 38-year-old, Anwar bin Sholeh, who has been practising the art since elementary school, told AFP, "This will motivate us to preserve our traditions and culture". Practitioner Rian Irawan bin Maswan Hasan said, "I'm glad that Pencak Silat is now not only recognised in Hollywood," said"It's a unique martial art because it is not only for health and self defense, but it also builds solidarity and brotherhood among it members," he added. [Source: AFP, December 15, 2019]

History of Pencak Silat

Pencak Silat silat has a 1,000 years history and likely originated in western Sumatra from a similar martial art that dates back to the 6th century. According to one legend, the precusor of pencak silat originated after a woman watched a tiger do battle with a giant hawk, and copied their techniques to fight off a pestering group of drunken men.

Developed by the as Minangkabau people of Sumatra, “silat” evolved as a training method based on the movements of animals like the tiger stance and the "jumping in a dragon style" and “jumping like a princess and staying near.” During the rule of Javanese Madjapahit kings of the 13th to 16th century, brutal weapons were incorporated in the martial art and during 350 years of Dutch rule silat was banned and practiced in secret. [Source: Franz Lidz, Sports Illustrated]

In some regions, such as Minangkabau areas, it was historically expected that young men learn silat before traveling abroad (rantau). Today it is taught in schools and practiced widely across Indonesia and beyond. Silat competitions attract competitors from over 45 countries, including Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands, Vietnam and the United States. Competition silat is a judo-like sport with no weapons. The matches are often short and furious. One champion said, "Physical strength means little. You win with speed, technique and concentration sharpened by the inner force."

Mystical Pencak Silat

One goal of silat is the development “tenaga dalam,” an inner power like Chinese ki that, if harnessed in right way, can help practitioners move objects with their mind, fly, walk on water and pass through material objects. Silat practitioners train having baseball bats slammed into their stomachs, slicing through steel rods with sheets of newspaper and being strangled with ropes while bricks are smashed on their head. [Source: Franz Lidz of Sports Illustrated]

Watching a demonstration of the inner force, Franz Lidz wrote in Sports Illustrated: Master Adie "wears a polo shirt, jeans and red felt cap called a kofiah, but no shoes. On cue, the disciples rush him. When they are just a few feet away, Adie claps his hands, and the attackers are abruptly flung backward with the exaggerated flourish of Keystone Kops. They writhe on the ground, clutching their bellies until Adie waves off the force field with his hand."

Masters of silat can reportedly hit bulleyes with arrows while blind-folded, swallow razor blades and chew glass without suffering any harm. One silat practitioner told Sports Illustrated, "One fellow even cut of his tongue, held it out for display and then stuck it back in his mouth with no ill effects."

Islamist Pencak Silat

Some practitioners of silat claim to be martial arts suicide warriors. They wear Muslim headgear and black fighting outfits and are members of groups with names like the Truth Defenders and the Dare to Die Force. They undergo training in which they learn how to deliver punches and kick; break from grips; cast spells that make them impervious to blows, knives and bullets; and swallow ball bearings and whole eggs that have been blessed. Among the 120,000 people who practice this East Javanese version of Pencak silat are both young men and women. [Source: The Independent]

One leader told the Independent, “The power comes from out teachers but everyone has their own special talent and their role in attack and defense. In a demonstration of their skills, one man pulls a van with a rope attached to his hair. Another man sits impassively while fireworks are exploded on his chest. A third man walks across a an arrangements of swords with their blades turned upwards.

These suicide warriors fight against the ouster of former President Wahid. One leader said of his group, “All of them are prepared to die. Their parents are willing to die, their brothers and sisters are willing to die. We pray that it will not happen but were are prepared.”

More than 30 Indonesia Boxers Have Died in the Ring

More than 30 boxers in Indonesia have died from injuries sustained in the ring since 1948. Analysts and observers have linked this high number to factors such as inconsistent medical oversight, mismatched opponents, and fighters competing too frequently. These issues have drawn criticism and warnings from international boxing organizations.

Hero Tito (Heru Purwanto) died in March 2022 at age 35 after falling into a coma following a knockout loss in Jakarta. He was widely reported as the 31st Indonesian boxer to die from ring-related injuries. Earlier cases include Tubagus Setia Sakti, a 17-year-old who died in 2013 after suffering a brain hemorrhage following a technical knockout, and Muhammad Afrizal (Afrizal Cotto), who died in 2012 after undergoing brain surgery following a bout.

Other fatalities have occurred across different weight classes and regions. Fadly Kasim, a 22-year-old flyweight, died in 2006 after collapsing during a fight in Manado, while Anis Dwi Mulya died in 2007 after collapsing during a televised match. Additional cases include Donny Maramis (2001), Muhammad Alfaridzi (2001), John Namtilu (2001), and Dipo Saloko (2000), all of whom died following matches or related injuries.

Eight Indonesian boxers died between 2000 and 2004. In an 18 month period in 2000 and 2001, five boxers died as a result of injuries sustained in fights. As a result boxing was banned from December 2001 to July 2002. After the ban was lifted three more boxers had died as of February 2004. Three others had died in the 1990s. In January 2004, Indonesian boxer Antonius Moses Seram died a week after he was knocked out. In February another Indonesian boxer Jack Ryan died a four days after being knocked out and falling into a coma.

Seventeen Killed in a Stampede after Boxing Match in Papua

In July 2013, at least 17 people were killed and dozens more injured in a stampede following a boxing match in Nabire, in Indonesia’s eastern province of Papua. The incident occurred after violence broke out among spectators, reportedly triggered by a dispute over the judges’ scoring of the bout. As tensions escalated, panic spread through the crowd of approximately 1,500 people inside the venue. [Source: Reuters, July 15, 2013]

Witness accounts and officials indicated that many spectators attempted to flee at once, creating a crush at the stadium’s limited exits. Reports noted that only two exits were functioning, contributing to the bottleneck and intensifying the danger. Agus Rianto, a deputy national police spokesman at the time, stated that although military and police personnel were present, they were unable to control the situation once panic took hold.

Most of those killed were women, and the injured included men, women, and children. The tragedy highlighted concerns about crowd control, stadium safety standards, and emergency preparedness at sporting events in remote regions. It also drew attention to the passionate local support for boxing in Papua, where matches often attract large and emotionally invested audiences.

Chris John — WBA Featherweight Champ Who Lost Only Once

Chris John (born Yohannes Christian John in 1979, in Banjarnegara, Central Java) is a retired Indonesian professional boxer and former WBA (Super)featherweight champion. Over a long career, he compiled a record of 48 wins (22 by knockout), 1 loss, and 3 draws in 52 fights. Nicknamed “The Dragon” and “The Thinman” he competed in the featherweight division with an orthodox stance, standing about 1.69 meters tall with a reach of 170 centimeters. John’s decade-long reign as featherweight champion ranks among the longest in the division’s history, with 18 successful title defenses, placing him among the most accomplished fighters in that weight class. [Source: Wikipedia]

Chris John became the fourth Indonesian to win a world boxing title, following Ellyas Pical, Nico Thomas, and Muhammad Rachman. He announced his retirement on December 19, 2013, at the age of 34, shortly after suffering the only defeat of his professional career, which also cost him his world title.

John grew up in a family connected to boxing. His father, Johan Tjahjadi (also known as Tjia Foek Sem), was a former amateur boxer who introduced him to the sport at a young age. Along with his younger brother Adrian, John began training around the age of five and developed his skills early, eventually becoming an amateur champion in his hometown. In 1997, he was discovered by trainer Sutan Rambing, who brought him to Semarang to continue his development. Rambing coached John until 2004, guiding him through the early stages of his professional career and up to his first major world title.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources:“Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East/Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings, 1993; “Culture and Customs of Indonesia” by Jill Forshee, Greenwood Press, 2006; National Geographic, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Encyclopedia.com, Library of Congress, Indonesia Tourism website (indonesia.travel), Indonesia government websites, Live Science, The Conversation, The New Yorker, Time, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Google AI, Wikipedia, The Guardian and various websites, books and other publications.

Last updated April 2026