Trumbu - Embah Kahir's Stick Art

Embah Kahir invented Sera, next came Macan and then he developed his famous Cimande as the best answer. These are facts that can be verified by anyone who goes and conducts a random survey of Indonesian Sera and Cimande Pendekars.

Along with these empty hand systems, the original Cimande contained one long stick art called Trumbu. The stick that is employed is called a Halu and it is used as a rice pestal.

The halu stick is about 39 inches long, 1.5 inches in diameter and in the center the stick is turned down some what to allow both hands to have a place to grip. The center section is about 10 inches long or 5 inches to each side of the center and the diameter is about 1.25 inches. These measurement can be adjusted for taller or shorter students.

This stick was chosen since it was used on a daily bases in the rice fields.

The art of Trumbu only has four jurus. The first three jurus contain six moves and the last jurus has sixteen moves. There are many jurusans or movements from the jurus that are developed to give the practitioner attack and defense from all around.

One of the most interesting parts of Trumbu is the extremely low to the ground position the practitioner assumes in preparation for attack or defense. Unlike some stick arts which like to just bang the sticks together the Trumbu practitioner uses the opponent’s body first in slow motion to identify the principles of the strikes. The ankles, knees and thigh bones are smashed in rapid succession, only then delivering the final blow from low to high on the opponent’s head. The stick can also be kept in a constantly whirling vortex around the body, snaking in and out to defect blows and attack the limbs of the hapless opponent. Blows expand out from the sides from the front and back and at both high and low levels. Short Kali type sticks are quickly sent flying against the heaver but very fast weapon.

The beauty of the Trumbu for the Cimande practitioner is the natural way in which it blends with the body even acting as your elbows and knees when in close to the legs and smashing blows when further away. The free hand is held in the black cobra position or also on the stick and is therefore not developing bad habits that a free roaming or in and out moving free hand can develop.

In addition to the combative applications for a weapon that is the same size as a walking stick the genius of Embah Kahir once again is apparent. The way the stick is balanced and its weight and method of movement develops the arms, wrists and grip allowing the prachir once again is apparent. The way the stick is balanced and its weight and method of movement develops the arms, wrists and grip allowing the practitioner to greatly increase their empty hand power in all areas.