The History, Concept and Aspiration of Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi

Silat is a collective word for indigenous martial arts from a geo-cultural area of Southeast Asia encompassing most of the Nusantara and Malay Archipelago, as well as the entire Malay Peninsula. Originally developed in what are now Indonesia, peninsular Malaysia, south Thailand, and Singapore, it is also traditionally practiced in Brunei, Vietnam and the southern Philippines. There are hundreds of different styles but they tend to focus either on strikes, joint manipulation, throws, bladed weaponry, or some combination thereof.

Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi is named in honour to its greatest master, the late Ustaz Hanafi Haji Ahmad. It is the silat that was practiced and conveyed by Ustaz Hanafi be it in terms of pedagogy, concept, philosophy, principle, integrity and spirituality.

 Ustaz Hanafi Haji Ahmad 

2012 Figure of Art

According to verbal history, Silat Cekak originates from Kedah, a state in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia, and was used by its governor-generals (panglima) to defend the land against foreign incursions during the reign of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin (1854-1879). A trustworthy source mentions that one of these generals, Panglima Ismail successfully defeated a general of Batak descent (from North Sumatera Indonesia) by the name of Tuah (not the legendary Hang Tuah, which is dominant in the history of the Sultanate of Malacca circa 1400 - 1500). Panglima Ismail then taught Silat Cekak to another warlord, Panglima Tok Rashid, who hailed from Sungai Daun in Kedah.

A twist of event, to flee an outbreak of cholera, Panglima Tok Rashid had to relocate his family to Kerian in the state of Perak, further south from Kedah. There, Panglima Tok Rashid entrusted Silat Cekak to his student from Batu Kurau, Yahya Said to teach this silat to a worthy Kedah native when the proper time comes. Panglima Tok Rashid instructed him specifically: “If any of my progeny from Kedah wish to learn, you are to return it to them.” In 1965, as per the late Panglima Tok Rashid’s trust, Yahya Said conveyed and entrusted this silat to Ustaz Hanafi.

After 40 years of being hidden away from the eyes of the public, Silat Cekak was reclaimed by Ustaz Hanafi as his Kedah birth right from Yahya Said (who was the trustee). At that point of time and prior, no one had successfully completed their lesson in Silat Cekak. It was only when Ustaz Hanafi started teaching Silat Cekak that students managed to complete their studies in the syllabus. This was done under the auspices of an association called the Perkumpulan Sari Budaya Sri Kedah (The Glorious Kedah Cultural Essence Group). Since its rebirth at the hands of Ustaz Hanafi, a new era has begun for Silat Cekak. He introduced a new spirit and a new approach, all the while succeeding in raising the status of Silat Cekak as a movement that is respected by friends and foes; one that is continuously able to contribute positively to society.

Since then, Silat Cekak has succeeded in attracting thousands of members from all walks of life including the intellectual and professional realms.

The fourth child of Ustaz Hanafi, Sheikh Dr. Hj Md Radzi Hj Hanafi is presently the True Heir cum Honourable Principal Master and President of the association.

Sheikh Dr. Hj Md Radzi Hj Hanafi

2013 Figure of Art Activist

Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi is a truly Malay art of self-defence and is not a silat for leisure or sport (Silat Olahraga, which is contested professionally at the biannual South East Asian Games). Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi has set methods with strike forms and complete locking techniques. The

movement and system of this silat is based on the natural movements of the human being grounded in healthy thought, a calm soul and is clearly compatible with the principles of Islam.

Its studies place emphasis on self-defence to inculcate courage, not violence or violation. Only when absolutely necessary and for the sole purpose of safety, then Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi practitioner will attack first. Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi awaits attacks in a straight-backed high stance (the stance used in solah or solat) and does not employ evasions to the left of right; but moves forward in a single intercepting movement.

In reality, Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi is a silat based on the study of movement (Silat Gerak). Most surprising and best of all is, when Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi attacks, the opponent would find it difficult to evade, and if he/she were to parry the attack would lead to a devastating counterattack. This is due to the practitioner’s ability to attack and trap the attacker in one move. (Cekak menyerang, Cekak menangkap).

Practitioners are taught to defend themselves against non-weapon and weapon attacks with only their bare hands. When attacked with weapons, the objective of Silat Cekak Hanafi is to counter the attack and to disarm the opponent.

Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi is taught to completion in a systematic course package. Normally, the package may be completed within 6 months to one year. This duration may also be adapted to coincide with the semester schedule of public schools or higher learning institutions.

After completion, the practitioners may increase their level of skill personally or by attending skill classes organized from time to time. As a silat based on fine movements, it does not need to employ a great deal of strength or force to defeat an opponent. The method of study is systematic, is not detrimental to the practitioner and allows the practitioners the ability to defend oneself even in quarters as narrow as a plank. Like other silat, Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi also has its own official weapon which is the Lading, a type of traditional long dagger famous in the state of Kedah. This weapon is used by practitioners of Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi to defend against all manner of non-weapon or weapon attacks. However, the Lading is only presented to those practitioners who have reached a certain level and whose loyalty to the association has been proven. Most of these recipients are those who have been actively involved in the movement for more than ten years. The size and shape of the Lading depends on the user since each practitioner has a different proportion and body measurement.

Now, the Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi is operating under the name of Persekutuan Seni Silat Cekak Pusaka Ustaz Hanafi Malaysia (The Federation of Seni Silat Cekak Pusaka Ustaz Hanafi Malaysia) and has 11 state chapters and organizes silat classes in most universities and higher learning institutions in Malaysia. Moving forward, this Non-profit organization plans to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Martial Art Display which is scheduled in 2015. This organization is the current record holder of Malaysian Book of Record in Largest Participant Category 2010 that succeeded its own records in same category in year 2001 and 2005 respectively.

Beginning 18 December 2011, members of Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi in the UK initiated the effort to globalize this Malay martial in the United Kingdom. This is in line with the aspirations and advices given by the Honourable Grandmaster, Sheikh Dr. Hj Md Radzi Hj Hanafi. The global expansion is followed by the first international Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi class officiated in Melbourne, Australia on the 8th January 2012. Later on the same year, 15 December 2012 marks the official launch of Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi Club UK during the visit of the honourable principal master to London.

Until today the club has two sessions of classes held every week at the Malaysian Hall, Queensborough Terrace W2, London and at Tuk Din Flavour of Malaysia Restaurant in Paddington.

We intend to promote this Malay heritage martial art further to the local Muslim community in London, as the main prerequisite of learning this martial art is only specially catered for Muslim.

(Credit: Multimedia and Communication Team of Silat Cekak Pusaka Hanafi Malaysia)