Beksi Martial Art in Betawi Exists Since 18th Century
BERITAJAKARTA.COM — 5/3/2010 4:00:35 PM
Since long time ago, Betawi people have been known for and identical with the martial arts and religious teachings. Since the period of Netherlands colonialism, Betawi teenagers were always demanded to be diligent in religion and to defend themselves by martial arts. It is not weird that the martial arts become one of Betawi cultures.
Betawi has many kinds of martial arts, Beksi for example. Beksi martial art is a collaboration of martial arts, beauty, and accuracy in hitting the enemy. Beksi has beautiful movements but its power can not be underestimated. It is the speed and dynamic of movements that can hit the enemy with fatal consequences.
In Beksi, the hit which is focused on elbow or outside hand is the characteristic of Beksi. By using the enemy’s strength, the hit could injure the enemy and cause fatal injury. This martial art is relied by Betawi masters when they fought against their enemies.
One of Beksi martial art masters, Bang Endang SH, admitted that the whole dynamic movements make Beksi martial art different from other martial arts. Beksi is often used or performed by trained people in the traditional wedding events in southern Betawi for palang-pintu (barricade) procession.
There are 18 movements and 9 formations in Beksi martial art. Palang Pintu procession and Sambut Makna tradition often involve Beksi martial art by using both group and individual formations. “The powerful movements are suitable for palang-pintu procession to be more perfect,” said Endang to beritajakarta.com, Saturday (5/1).
Endang admitted that Beksi martial art has existed in the Netherlands era. Beksi has been transformed for generations to H Hasbullah, who open Beksi school in Kebayoranlama, South Jakarta.
Endang told that Beksi martial art was taken from China by Lie Ceng Oek. Lie Ceng Oek established a martial art school in Dadap, Tangerang. To preserve the martial art, Lie Ceng Oek transformed Beksi to Ki Marhali and followed by H Ghazali and H Hasbullah to next generations.
In its development, Beksi martial art grows in Betawi suburban or in Southern side of the city like Pesanggrahan, Kebayoranlama, Ciledug, Tangerang, etc. The combination of Beksi brought by Lie Ceng Oek and the movements created by Betawi figures has made Beksi as Betawi traditional martial art.
Translator: ajeng
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