Posted by PD USA on 4/11/2007, 5:41 am, in reply to "KUJANG KHAS SUNDA"
Message modified by board administrator 4/11/2007, 5:54 am
> Written by Guru Brandt Hassan Ali and Guru Sea Stark
> Copyright 2003 Silat now! e-zine
> www.combat-silat.net
> The Kujang Explored: Blade
> The blade is of an interesting design. The point of
> the weapon is in direct line (in most models) with
> the pommel. This provides stability in a thrusting
> or stabbing attack. The primary cutting surface of
> the weapon is divided into two parts. The first of
> which is the "leading edge" found just below the
> point. This edge possesses a slight curve. This
> curve aids in a simple cut insofar as the wrist of
> the user does not need to bend in order to affect a
> cut. The arced cutting edge traps, cuts and tears a
> target when it is employed. The interesting matter
> about the two primary cutting surfaces is that force
> received by the leading edge has a tendency to be
> drawn into the curved cutting surface. This leads us
> to the hook that is found at the end of the curved
> cutting surface. This hook aids in trapping,
> puncturing and tearing an opponent's flesh. In the
> hands of a skilled exponent, the hook can be used to
> bind an adversary's weapon and disarm him.
>
> The Kujang Explored: Spine
> The spine or heel of the weapon is rigid and strong.
> This is used to provide a lever in grappling and
> manipulating the weapon in close quarters.
> Immediately above the heel, you will find a
> serration. This serration is quite obviously a tool
> to rip causing mostly superficial wounds. Although
> the wounds caused by the serration are superficial,
> when taken into the whole of the Kujang's impact
> upon an adversary the serration becomes quite
> telling. In addition, this serration aids in
> creating a wound cannel that will make for a more
> speedy evacuation of the blade from a wound. Above
> the serration, you will find the back edge. This
> back edge is used in a counter offensive manner
> quite similar to some western and Filipino systems
> of blade work.
>
> The Kujang Explored: Bridge
> Binding the cutting edge to the handle is the
> bridge. The bridge is used to control the weapon
> using your thumb and/or forefinger. The hook and the
> reverse curve of the blade protect the fingers on
> the bridge.
>
> The Kujang Explored: Handle
> Finally, we examine the handle. The handles can be
> quite ornate in some versions and in others very
> plain. What will be found in all is that the pommel
> is curved slightly outward and down from the line of
> the handle. This is used as a lever to twist the
> blade in a wound to cause a more grievous injury. In
> addition, this will also aid the evacuation of the
> blade from the wound. Furthermore, the curved pommel
> creates a more stable grip upon the Kujang's handle
> when it is covered in some slippery substance, in
> the spirit of this discussion we will assume that it
> is blood and or other related floods and tissues.
>
> The Kujang Explored: Usage
> The use of this weapon in Pencak Silat Zulfakir
> involves an interesting focus on "counter-trapping".
> By redirecting force and taking advantage of natural
> structural weaknesses of the human body the exponent
> will be able to press an attack even after the
> initial engagement has been negated. To explore this
> facet of the Kujang would involve a rather lengthy
> article itself and would necessitate photos to try
> to illuminate the intricate and complex application
> of this tool. This weapon is an integral part of the
> warrior culture of futuwah (spiritual chivalry)
> associated with Sufism in Indonesia.
>
> The Kujang Explored: Closing
> The Kujang embodies the concepts of futuwah as a
> "first lesson". It has been described as "the Muslim
> answer to the Hindu Kris". Many Muslims did not feel
> comfortable, due to the tenants of their religion,
> using a weapon in which a strong amount of animistic
> thought is attributed to. To remedy this situation
> the Kujang stands forth as a weapon for war and tool
> for self-discovery.
>
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