Tji Bandar
In Indonesia, there are several different types of martial arts that exist. While some were heavily influenced by foreign styles, especially those from China, many are native to the country. These include silat, pentjak, and pukulan, which are considered martial arts styles outside of Indonesia. However, these terms are generally not considered a particular style in Indonesia; rather, they translate simply in to “to fight”, “to strike”, or “to punch”.
A type of pukulan, or fighting, is Tji Bandar, pronounced “chi bandar”. This is a style of martial art that is recognized as Indonesian. Tji Bandar was developed in West Java, and is designed particularly for women and children. It has existed in the country for centuries.
Techniques and Movements of Tji Bandar
In Indonesia, it is typical for women to wear sarongs that are wrapped tightly around their body. As a result, their movement is highly restricted by this clothing. Tji Bandar takes this into consideration, so that techniques performed utilize only small steps and body movements that are slight. The stances are also high, as the sarong prevents the knees from bending much. It is a system of self defence that is mainly defensive, rather than offensive.
The popularity of Indonesian martial art, Tji Bandar, is restricted to the country, mainly in the area of West Java. It is not a popular style of martial art in the rest of the world, as it is designed for women who wear the sarong (not commonly worn in other parts of the world).