Story of Silat Cingkrik From Rawa Belong
Reported by Keren Margaret Vicer | Translated by Nugroho Adibrata
Silat (martial art) Cingkrik is so legendary in the capital. Along with Beksi Martial Art, the flow of this one is more widely popular to the public.
This martial art relies on the flexibility of hand and foot movements
It can be found at Si Pitung Studio that located in Rawa Belong Area, Jalan Yusuf, RT 004/001 No. 8, Sukabumi Utara Urban Village, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.
Martial Art Will Color Car Free Day at Jl SisingamangarajaThe studio belongs to Bachtiar Zakaria, a genuine Betawi native man who consistently wants to preserve Betawi art and culture.
When being interviewed by Beritajakarta.id, he expressed Cingkrik Martial Art is the work of Ki Maing.
Further, he taught to three his students namely, Ki Ajid, Ki Alit and Ki Ashari, who later developed the martial art in the areas of Jakarta, Tangerang and Bekasi.
"This martial art relies on the flexibility of hand and foot movements. Because of many leaps, it is called Cingkrik Martial Art," he expressed.
He expressed there are 12 movements. They are jurus keset, keset bacok, cingkrik, cingkrik bacok, saung, keset gedor, cingkrik gedor, step 3, step 4, tiger, lion and step 12.
"Nothing is difficult, if you want to learn diligently, those movements could be mastered," he said.
He has been in this martial art since childhood.
"In 1990, I started teaching it in Rawa Belong. And on May 5, 1995, I developed the Si Pitung Studio," he said.
For people who want to learn, Bachtiar invited to come to his studio. The exercise is conducted on Wednesday Night and Saturday Night, at 8-9 PM.
"Currently he already have 60 students, ranging from children to adults who participated in the practice. Anyone can join, free of charge," he expressed.
He is grateful, armed with the skills and expertise he has, he and students are often invited to perform, both in the event of celebration and government activities, as well as to play sinetron (local soap opera).
"Most importantly, Betawi cultural art should be sustainable," he said.
