Pukulan

Pukulan is considered by many the hardest indonesian fighting art. Even if is commonly included in Pencak Silat styles, its players prefere to look upon Pukulan as an art itself: “Pukulan is Pukulan”.

Pukulan, in its different facets, is Sundanese (West-Java), someone say it comes from Soerabaya.
It can be seen is some harbour's cities or suburbs of Jakarta (Pukulan Kemajoran e Pukulan Betawi, Mustika Kwitang)
Pukulan was born and played by the ‘indo’ (mixed people: half Indonesian, half Dutch), often hated by both: Dutch and Indonesian locals; so, forced to discover truthfully ways to defend theirselves.

Pukulan means “to hit” or “multiple hits”, Pukul simply means “hit”.
Beyond sweeps, levers and unbalances, Pukulan concentrates on hitting the opponent, making havoc on him, only then, unbalance or sweep. After he’s damaged and under control.

Other styles of Silat often use the name "pukulan" because they hit the opponent. Some players do this to pretend they play Pukulan, some of them try to acquire fame and reputation from this definition and some do this simply for lack of knowledge. This matter gave birth a confusion. We have to separate who uses this term to talk about ‘hitting’ from those who really play the Art of Pukulan.

Pukulan is played “old-fashion”, constantly, hard, underground, hidden from the public and crowd.
Its players train at home, in the garden, away from other people eyes, accepting a few people as their students or training partners. They don't like magazines, large groups, don't look for fame in martial arts.

First of all... Pukulan is not a way to make money. No certifications, no instructor courses, no representatives.
Pukulan is not a sport, a hobby, something to do in the spare time in a gym.
Pukulan is a life-style. Born to fight, not for competitions. It has no rules but those of the Adat: rules of behaviour among its players.

Training in Pukulan is not for all: hard and realistic.
Its players live Pukulan, breath Pukulan, eat Pukulan.
First of all comes Pukulan, then comes Pukulan, then the other things.
They use to say: "You do not choose Pukulan, Pukulan choses you".