GeneChing
10-16-2009, 02:01 PM
First I've heard of Beksi, Cingkrik and Ji`it.
Ji`it martial art from Cakung (http://www.beritajakarta.com/2008/en/newsview.aspx?idwil=0&id=12727)
BERITAJAKARTA.COM — 10/16/2009 5:23:29 PM
As native Jakartans, Betawi people save many beautiful traditions and arts. Martial art, for example. Of all famous martial arts like Beksi and Cingkrik, there is another great martial art, namely Ji`it. Allegedly, this martial art was developed hundreds years ago in Cakung, East Jakarta.
Although we do not know exactly who the founder was, Cakung people take this martial art as their favorite. To start learning this art, every candidate should do simple grace ceremony. This ceremony consists of three kinds of dishes, including those which will be eaten by the candidate: sticky rice, capung fish and egg.
Those three dishes contain magical substances when the fighters reach their highest stage. Sticky rice could fight back the rival’s move; capung fish help the fighters move smoothly; and egg to purify the fighters’ heart so that the energy from the body is stimulated. If the movements and energy are mastered, the fighters’ skill will be completed with specific Cakung machete technique.
“If the fighters do not master all Ji’it movements, they cannot use Cakung machete. If there is a fighter using cakung machete, it means he has mastered the whole Ji’it martial arts,” said KH Lutfi Hakim el-Muhir, one of Cakung community figures and the Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR) chairman.
He explained “there are at least 13 basic movements in Ji’it: hit, kick, and how to make your rival down. Ji’it martial art is hard to be learned. Each technique is short and fast; no reverse movement.” Thursday (10/15).
Cakung machete is the final weapon in Ji’it. Diligence and warm heart are needed to use the machete skillfully, because Cakung machete has its own meaning and history.
People said that the machete was founded by a master. The master only put an iron under his armpit and it turned into machete magically. That’s why Cakung machete is not straight in shape; it is a slightly bent. Its point is not pointed to the below. It is different from the common machete. It has 30 to 35 centimeters in length.
KH Lufti said that nowadays, only a few Betawi Cakung people master the martial art. “If there is a person saving Cakung machete, it means he has mastered Ji’it. Now, there are only around 50 people mastering Ji’it,” he said.
Through FBR, KH Lutfi Hakim el-Muhir will preserve this art. Based on its legend, Ji’it martial art had been used by local people to fight against Dutch military in Karawang to Bekasi, and it worked.
Ji`it martial art from Cakung (http://www.beritajakarta.com/2008/en/newsview.aspx?idwil=0&id=12727)
BERITAJAKARTA.COM — 10/16/2009 5:23:29 PM
As native Jakartans, Betawi people save many beautiful traditions and arts. Martial art, for example. Of all famous martial arts like Beksi and Cingkrik, there is another great martial art, namely Ji`it. Allegedly, this martial art was developed hundreds years ago in Cakung, East Jakarta.
Although we do not know exactly who the founder was, Cakung people take this martial art as their favorite. To start learning this art, every candidate should do simple grace ceremony. This ceremony consists of three kinds of dishes, including those which will be eaten by the candidate: sticky rice, capung fish and egg.
Those three dishes contain magical substances when the fighters reach their highest stage. Sticky rice could fight back the rival’s move; capung fish help the fighters move smoothly; and egg to purify the fighters’ heart so that the energy from the body is stimulated. If the movements and energy are mastered, the fighters’ skill will be completed with specific Cakung machete technique.
“If the fighters do not master all Ji’it movements, they cannot use Cakung machete. If there is a fighter using cakung machete, it means he has mastered the whole Ji’it martial arts,” said KH Lutfi Hakim el-Muhir, one of Cakung community figures and the Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR) chairman.
He explained “there are at least 13 basic movements in Ji’it: hit, kick, and how to make your rival down. Ji’it martial art is hard to be learned. Each technique is short and fast; no reverse movement.” Thursday (10/15).
Cakung machete is the final weapon in Ji’it. Diligence and warm heart are needed to use the machete skillfully, because Cakung machete has its own meaning and history.
People said that the machete was founded by a master. The master only put an iron under his armpit and it turned into machete magically. That’s why Cakung machete is not straight in shape; it is a slightly bent. Its point is not pointed to the below. It is different from the common machete. It has 30 to 35 centimeters in length.
KH Lufti said that nowadays, only a few Betawi Cakung people master the martial art. “If there is a person saving Cakung machete, it means he has mastered Ji’it. Now, there are only around 50 people mastering Ji’it,” he said.
Through FBR, KH Lutfi Hakim el-Muhir will preserve this art. Based on its legend, Ji’it martial art had been used by local people to fight against Dutch military in Karawang to Bekasi, and it worked.