sarong...really?

[salami]

the sarong as part of the kali-silat curriculum seems a bit far fetched

thoughts?

[m_calingo]

It's tradition, no different than Japanese martial arts folks who wear gis.

IMO, they do look silly. However, if I'm not mistaken, silat also teaches how to use flexible weapons, and the sarong would be one such thing. This training could then be applied using "found weapons" such as belts, or the strap on a shoulder bag.

[lionleo]

i would say it's an evolution to sarong's usage. I grew up in the southern oart of mindanao and we have a parcel of land in sarangani province, on my way there from the city..i saw some (probably local peace officers/police counterparts) use saron and bandanas they(muslim filipinos) make as hundcuffs leg cuffs or just using long clothes to ties..so maybe with this idea it evolved into the sarong ma stuff. i find it useful in my weapons improvisation but it heck needs a lot of skill and practice..i will ratheruse an Olisi maliit- sort of similar to kubaton...but not pointed or a tactical mag light/garity/metal flashlight..
my two cents!

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[Tim McFatridge]

Sarong

The sarong is worn by many people in Indonesia so what better way to utilize something that you will most likely always have with you. Cipecut Silat is the whip art of Indonesia and they use any item that is pracitical and flexible as a weapon. They will use bandanas, sarongs, fanny packs etc. The sarong is really cool becuase you can hide things in it that will enhance its striking ability. You can hide rocks in it that will allow you to deliver a more power blow to your opponent. You can also hide a knife or other weapons in it as well. There are some really great techniques with the sarong that easily translates to the bandana or a belt or the strap of a purse or even a fanny pack. In Cipecut the practitioner will usually strike with the sarong first to either the eyes or the groin area then use it to choke or throw the person then follow up with a very fast and some times deadly submission. I have an article posted on our website from the magazine "Martial Arts Legends: Exotic Asian Arts", it is about the late Herman Suwanda. It is goes into all the details and techniques of Cipecut Silat Sarong.

[Maxx]

For those of you that are interested, Ron Balicki has a great two disk DVD set called "The Fighting Sarong". It covers various elements of sarong use such as empty hand vs. empty hand, the double weave, single weave, sash method and sarong vs. the knife.

I've seen it and it's quite informative and the techniques are easy to adapt, especially if you have a background in the filipino or indonesian arts. I highly recommend it.

[Tim McFatridge]

Sarong Video

I agree...I have seen those videos and think they are very good. He shows some good stuff in them that is pretty easy to pick up and learn.

[Paco]

Also, check out Ray Dionaldo's Principles of the Sarong DVD. While most of us would look rather silly with a sarong walking in downtown USA, sarong CONCEPTS are not farfetched: a belt, the strap on a shoulder bag and a t-shirt are usable as "sarongs." Don't knock it til you try it.

[William]

Don't forget, a scarf worn in colder climates or winter months works well to. Just make sure it's made of a material that doesn't stretch much.



William

[Tim McFatridge]

Good posts everyone...there are some very good sarong techniques that can be easily adapted to work on other objects as well.

[kaliman33]

i have modified a t-shirt to use, simply insert your arm thru the head hole and out an arm and twist, hold with the other hand, works great. check it out.

Marc Halleck
NSA Martial Arts

[Black Grass]

Sarong is a Indonesian word. In Mindanao the word for tube skirt is "malong". It is my belief that most techinques that FMA instructors (in particular from Luzon and Visayas) got there techniques from Silat. Malong is not traditional in these regions.

I learned many uses for the malong including using it as a light sleeping bag, using it to make a sack, and using it as a changing room. As well as the various ways women can wear it.

Vince
aka Black Grass

[William]

Sarong is a Indonesian word. In Mindanao the word for tube skirt is "malong".....

Vince
aka Black Grass

Vince,
In my training, the Sarong and it's techniques were always referred to as Indonesian in origin.



Just saying.


William

[StknDecuerdas]

I attended a two day seminar with Herman Suwanda in Stockton, CA and he spent a good 2 or 3 hours on the Sarong, mostly from an around-the-shoulder-and-hip position and he said the same thing about carrying rocks or even fruit in the lower portion, like a laptop bag or low hang purse. The tie-ups and strangles were awesome. I'm married to a southeast asian woman whose parents live with us and who's father still wears a sarong around the house, so, in turn, during the summer or to and from the bathroom, in the house, i acutually have and wear sarongs myself. I even have two hawaiian patterned ones that i had made out of 3 yards of material. Quite comfortable and easy, just not out of the house.

Now the universal application was brought to my attention by my current instructor, who said he used to see bar fights where older Tejanos(Hispanic Texans) used to be able to remove thier jackets and draw their blades in an instant, very much in the tradition of western "cloak and Dagger" techniques. Of course using the cloak/jacket/towel/sarong as both cover, shield, and offensive weapon. Quick flicks to the eyes or growing can be quite painful, who HASN'T wound up a towel and snaped it at someone or thing? Using the cloak to disorient and confuse the opponent as to the location of the blade is very effective.

[Paco]

James Loriega wrote a book called "Sevillian Steel" which deals with the knife ("navaja") fighting techniques of Spain, in it there is a chapter dealing with the "veronica" - which is exactly what you described using the cloak or jacket.