Kuntau Kuntau, Kuntao, Kuntou, Kundao or sometimes spelled Kuntow is a western pronunciation of a Chinese word meaning working power or accomplishment. When the Shaolin priest fell out of favor with the Chinese rulers they were run out of China. Most of them to avoid death migrated to Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asian farmers and fishermen needed a way to protect there villages from roving bandits and pirates who would attack their villages while they were away, So The Shaolin training style was combined with local jungle fighting to form Kuntau. Kuntau is the name of several forms of fighting now found in South East Asia but originating in China. It is practiced mainly in the Chinese communities of the Malay-Indonesian archipelago. Kundao (also translated into Kuntao, Kunlou, Kuntow, Kuntau, Kuntou) was inspired largely by the methods and Techniques of the Shaolin, with additional influences from Bersilat and Pinchaksilat. The only difference between a Shaolin Master and a Kuntau Master is that the Kuntau Master is not a priest. This has led to a veritable mixture of styles as widely diverse as Taiji Quan and Karate. History Chinese, Arab, Malay, Japanese and Filipino pirates and bandits that continually disrupted the rather quiet life of the fisherman and farmers both at sea and among the coastal inhabitants. For many of the natives therefore it was a matter of perfecting an effective fighting technique or being slaughtered. In South East Asia there are four terms to indicate unarmed combat, they are Pukulan, Pentjak, Silat and Kuntau. Pukulan, Pentjak, Silat and Kuntau refer to variations of the same styles that have developed in different geographical areas. Kuntau refers to a style or styles of Chinese Chuan-Fa of Kung-Fu. There are many variations on the general styles of Pukulan, Pentjak and Silat in contrast to the relatively few forms of Chinese Kuntau. The reason is that styles are localized in distinct areas, Many being so specialized that they are considered to be the sole property of one village. Thus, while there is a proliferation of highly developed forms found in South East Asia few inhabitants are able to avail themselves of instruction in more then one style. That style is generally representative of their home village or city. A Master of one form of Kuntau would never teach his village's style to an outsider. An exception to the above rule was found prior to Indonesia's independence from the Netherlands in 1949. Both native Indonesian's and Dutch Indonesian's who were in a upper income class, were able to avail themselves of the benefits of a Western education and consequently more profitable and prestigious positions in the Indonesian economy. Such people therefore, lost their close village ties and could if they sought out the proper connections learn various types of self-defense. Thus in more modern times we often find that the better known Masters are European. Kuntau is characterized by small steps and inside fighting techniques. Ape style. Bat style and Tiger style use fluid sweeping body movements. Snake style and Dragon style invites attack by allowing an opponent to move close, then defeating him with superior speed and counter punching. In east Java the art is generally termed pentjak. Here we also find a heavy settlement of Chinese residents, such that Kuntau is another prominent east Javan form. The most significant Kuntau styles are: Bear of Sumatra and Kantak found mostly in West Java, that emphasizes punching of the nerve centers. Village rivalry was an integral part of south east Asian culture. The most colorful way in which this is evidenced is in the pitting together of the various village champions during festivals held throughout the year. In each village a fighting champion is recognized who because of his status as a fighting man is called upon by the village Masters to represent his village fighting style in combat and at the same time he presents himself to defend his village honor, young men of his own village may challenge him if they feel they can defeat him. Thus if any of his fellow villagers defeat him, he steps down and a new champion is heralded. At one point in the year a large festival, is held with many villages getting together in one location. Many fighting Masters from many Villages would bring there fighters to participate in the tournament, toward the end of festival. A scarf would be dropped signaling the start of a fighting dance and also acts as the invitation for the fighters to ready themselves for the tournament. The Master Champion of the village would perform his fighting dance. If the Champions performance was flawless no challenger would risk defeat. If the local champion showed a weakness in his movements a challenger would come forward and try to defeat the master. A foot sweep causing an opponent to fall was often the margin of victory. If the person knocked to the ground refuses to concede victory then a fight to the death would determine the victor. Even though fighting to the death is no longer allowed the foot sweeping technique is still the basis for victory in some formal competitions. This is logical because at the peek level of a trained martial artist a hundredth of a second of timing becomes all important, for if any man who is sufficiently superior to his opponent to upset him with a foot sweep will invariable be the victor in actual combat. In Malaysia they had bersilat exhibitions. Bersilat exists in two forms, Lilat Pulat for public display and Silat Bauh for actual combat. Like Pukulan, Penijak, Silat and Kuntau musical rhythmic accompaniment are used for Besilat display. Kuntau is also practiced in the larger cities where Chinese clubs exist and where a rivalry between Kuntau and Bersilat exist. Little information is known about the resulting clashes that occurred between rival factions. You can see the influence of the Chinese in Peking style of Kuntau where kicking with the leg was not used in exhibition kicking was only used in real combat. In real Kuntau all the parts of the body are used. They usually trained by punching and kicking sand and tree logs or Rocks to make their fist and legs hard as a steel. The heel of the palm, the two first fingers, the side of the palm, the elbow, the shoulder, the knee, the ball of the foot, the heel of the foot and your head. Kuntau has a long history and there are so many variations of the art. Kuntau is street fighting art with quick short steps, Inside grappling and joint lock techniques, with the use of weapons. Kuntau is one of the most effective and oldest martial arts with a long history and strong tradition.