Kuntao

Kuntao (Tagalog: kuntaw) is a Hokkien term for martial arts created by the Chinese community of Southeast Asia, particularly the Malay Archipelago. Literally meaning "way of the fist", the word kuntao more accurately translates as fighting art. Although most common in Indonesia, styles of kuntao are also practiced in Singapore, Malaysia (especially Borneo) and the Philippines where Chinese martial arts were brought by merchants, labourers and other settlers from China. The styles had to be adapted to different terrain, competing against local styles and fighting with local weapons. Many if not most styles of kuntao have incorporated techniques from silat and some forms even changed their name from "kuntao" to "silat". Styles which combine both kuntao and silat together are sometimes called kuntao-silat.

Kuntao was once practiced in secrecy and passed down through families. It was kept hidden not only from non-Chinese but also from people of differing clans. Although a few non-Chinese in Southeast Asia are known to have historically learned kuntao, this only became widespread in the latter half of the 20th century. Old styles of kuntao are today considered by some to be "true" Chinese martial arts because they predate the Shaolin Temple's destruction. With the advent of Mixed Martial Arts in the United States, the art has begun to approach mainstream dissemination. Even so, few traditional kuntao schools exist in the states today and it is little known in the West.

Styles

• Kuntao angin or silat angin (meaning "wind kuntao/silat") was founded in 1977 by Yap Mat from Kedah, Malaysia by combining silat seni gayong with the knee and elbow strikes of tomoi, the hand techniques of Wing Chun and the energy drills of yiquan. It is known for its deceiving circular attacks and nerve point manipulations.
• Kuntao Silat deThouars was created by Willem deThouars by combining several pencak silat and Indonesian kuntao styles.
• Malabar Kuntao Silat was created by Steve Gartin, a student of Willem deThouars. It is basically Kuntao Silat deThouars formulated into a more structured learning approach. The final transmission of this form, including both the external and internal skills, is sometimes called American kuntao silat.
• Liu Seong Kuntao was created by Willem Reeders based on his studies in Indonesia.
• Talio was created by Roberto Torres based on Visitacion Kuntao-Arnis, Wu Kung Tao and several styles of silat.

See also

• Silat
• Chinese martial arts
• Filipino martial arts
• Sindo

References

• Donn F. Draeger (1992). Weapons and fighting arts of Indonesia. Rutland, Vt. : Charles E. Tuttle Co.. ISBN 9780804817165. 

External links

• Kun Tao Silat de Thouars
• [1]
• [2]
• [3]
• The Academy of Kuntao Jiu-Jitsu
• Shaolin Kun Tao

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