KUCHING: The Sarawak Iban Kuntau Association (SIKAR) has embarked on a mission to attract more youngsters in the state to learn and master the art of Iban Kuntau or Dayak Kuntau.
It feels Dayak Kuntau, a traditional martial art, must not vanish in these modern times, so it ought to to be passed down from the present to the future generation.
Recently, New Sarawak Tribune had the opportunity to sit down with SIKAR’s new chairman, Basil Laman Amen.
The 41-year-old who was appointed chairman in October last year, shared the association’s plans and efforts to further preserve and promote the art of Dayak Kuntau.
He also aspires to put Sarawak on the world map through Dayak Kuntau.
NST: Can you briefly tell us about the history of Iban Kuntau or Dayak Kuntau?
Basil: The Iban Kuntau or Dayak Kuntau consists of Chinese or Hindu-Buddhist-Tao influence and this is because of contacts between ancient China and Southeast Asia.
For the Dayak Kuntau, it is mostly practiced by the Iban people in Sarawak.
It is said that the Dayak Kuntau may be a mystical form of martial art as its styles or techniques vary, all which are derived from dreams.
Besides that, animal behaviour and headhunting experiences are also partly incorporated into the style of Dayak Kuntau.
NST: Was SIKAR formed in part to preserve the art of Dayak Kuntau?
Basil: Yes. SIKAR was formed in 2017, and the association’s role mainly is to facilitate, support the guros (Kuntau masters) and students with regard to Dayak Kuntau.
Besides that, the association also plays an important role to turn Dayak Kuntau into a full fledged sporting event as well as support Iban Kuntau practitioners with a funding path and provide recognition.
Basil showing some Dayak Kuntau styles.
NST: How many branches does the association have in Sarawak and how many students have been trained or undergoing practice in Dayak Kuntau?
Basil: There are two SIKAR branches in Kuching, one in Sarikei, Kanowit and Bintulu.
Under these branches, it is safe to say we have at least near a thousand or more students or participants who have joined our classes.
Presently, the current intake for all branches has reached about 150 to 200 students per intake.
For our Kuching branch, those who join the classes are usually school leavers and even pensioners whereas, for the rest of the branches, most of the students are teenagers and young adults.
NST: Is it difficult to recruit the young ones to learn the art of Dayak Kuntau?
Basil: It depends on the locality, and whether the right marketing is done at the right place.
But brainstorming sessions are done from time to time in order as to why Kuching lacks young ones between the three and 17 years of age.
Also most importantly, the right locality and facilities must be there in order to attract more people to learn Dayak Kuntau.
NST: Is the Dayak Kuntau only confined to male practitioners? Can females learn and master it too? And is Dayak Kuntau confined to the Ibans only? Is it considered sacred to the Iban?
Basil: Generally speaking Dayak Kuntau is not confined only to male practitioners.
This is because in the past, we have had our women warriors like Sinja and Sebai, who led thorough example by displaying their sword prowess and expertise in every battle they joined or led.
In an effort to promote Dayak Kuntau among the young ones and also women, recently we even launched a free learning session for women and children aged below 12 where we have both classes in the north and south of Kuching City.
On whether Dayak Kuntau is sacred, there are some who still regard the Dayak Kuntau as sacred and not to be shared with outsiders (non-Dayak) due to their respective beliefs, pacts, spiritual, custom, traditions or set of rules.
However, sooner or later things will surely change and evolve and in order to keep Dayak Kuntau alive, it ought to be shared and even documented so that it can be viewed and learned by the next generation.
NST: As the new chairman of SIKAR, what do you hope and want to achieve for the association?
Basil: In the near future, in my capacity as the new chairman, I am all geared to have a permanent premises for Dayak Kuntau.
Once we have a permanent premises, next we will think about having an academy. To have a Dayak Kuntau academy would be good so that we train our future practitioners and eventually they can become guros.
NST: What is the association’s plan to ensure that Dayak Kuntau is preserved and kept alive?
Basil: Dayak Kuntau’s survival rate is going up steadily, and this is thanks to mainstream and social media coverage and exposure.
In order to keep alive our Dayak Kuntau tradition, there are discussions to write a book about Dayak Kuntau.
However, a book on the skills and techniques can be published but the best mode in regard to full contact combat or self-defense is still having a proper teacher to teach the students.
Apart from that, maybe a video or online training could be considered as an option.
NST: What do you see in the future of Iban Kuntau? Not only is it seen as a martial art, but to preserve it as a heritage?
Basil: The future of Dayak Kuntau in Sarawak will develop well in the hands of a very willing person to see it materialise. Make it into sport, a good career path then talents wouldn’t go away.
This we have in mind. Never blame the government. We must think out of the box and rely on ourselves and be creative.
One of our guros, Felix Kent, was involved in a submission about Dayak Kuntau to Unesco last year for it to be recognised as a heritage. Hopefully Unesco will accept it.
Basil showing some Dayak Kuntau styles.
NST: How are you going to make Dayak Kuntau further known on the world map?
Basil: Before this, Sarawak Dayak Kuntau has been showcased in Korea, so it is not impossible to go even further.
Also, exposure through showcases, competitions and demonstrations would definitely raise some eyebrows if done properly.
At the same time, it can also boost and add some value to our cultural product list. Like our neighbouring countries, they do have fight camps in Bali, Phuket and the Philippines and so forth.
One day we might have some sort of establishment too with athletes from all over the world joining our teams and training.
NST: Last but not least, any messages to those who want to learn the art of Iban Kuntau?
Basil: To those who want to learn the art of Dayak Kuntau, we welcome you to join us.
We might be holding a session at the MadFight Club in Boulevard Shopping Mall Kuching too.
Those interested to know more Dayak Iban can visit the Sarawak Iban Kuntau Association – SIKAR’s Facebook page.
Side info about Basil
- A law graduate from Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom and loves martial arts and also football
- Co-owner of Combat Fight Gym (CFG), Wangsa Melawati in Kuala Lumpur, which is still in operation
- Learnt martial arts from the age of nine. Interest sparked after seeing his late father who was a judoka and war veteran with the police force during the late 70s. Basil’s father was a well-known Dayak Kuntau practitioner in the Batang Seterap Riverine, Sungai Tengang, Pantu-Lingga and Lachau area in Sri Aman, Sarawak, during his era
- Basil’s first involvement in martial arts was learning the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) syllabus at Sekolah Kebangsaan Polis Depot, Kuala Lumpur under the guidance of ex-national taekwondo champion Jeetender Kumar Rai, Asian Games and Asian Championship medalists
- He also learnt Krav Maga (Israeli Army Martial Art); Urban Self Defense System; muay thai; boxing, Kuntau Spring Mahaguro Merayang Stream 12; studied Kuntau Tempur Bukit Saban
- Still studying under Sifu Francis Yong Sow Chien personally, and learning Guro Dan Inosanto’s Kali (Filipino Martial Art), Bruce Lee’s Jun Fan Kung Fu and Jeet Kune until today
- Also a member of Gabungan Silaturrahim Kerabat Persilatan Malaysia Senusantara (Gabungan-GSKPMS)
- Besides SIKAR, also active in various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) namely, Gerempung Raban Dayak Kuching (GRDK); Gabungan Orang Asal Sabah Sarawak; Chun Hua Wushu Club Kuching; Persatuan Pembela Anak Jati Sarawak (PPAJS); Persatuan Peminat Kesenian dan Kebudayaan Ketapu Lanjang Dayak Sarawak.
