Silat Sabeni comes from Tanah Abang area, central Jakarta. This silat is called Silat Sabeni school because it was introduced by Sabeni bin Chanam. This school was then inherited and continued by M. Ali Sabeni (Sabeni’s son). After the death of M. Ali Sabeni, it was continued by Zulbachtiar bin M. Ali Sabeni (Sabeni’s grandson). At present, he is the main heir of the Sabeni martial arts, which continues to be preserved today.
Sabeni has 15 basic movements which are divided into Jurus Jalan (walk moves) and Jurus Inti (core moves). The famous and legendary moves throughout Betawi are the moves of the Crossing Centipede and the Ngigel Peacock. The hallmark of the Crossing Centipede style is its movement that chases opponents quickly like a centipede chasing its tortuous prey, combined with a fast non-stop hand movements which is accompanied by occasional turns of the right foot left alternately. When this crossing is done with flexibility and high speed, it will be very difficult to deal with because the concentration of your opponent is split between facing an attack from above and avoiding slashing their feet so they don’t fall down.
In addition to the Crossing Centipede kick, the Ngigel Peacock kick is no less famous. Many champions both from Betawi and outside Betawi are knocked out by these kicks in heritage from Engkong Sabeni (grandpa Sabeni). The Ngigel Peacock kick is quite unique, it mimics the movements of a peacock in love which spreads its tail feathers while shaking its rear left and right.
The peacock’s tail feathers movement is replaced by hand movement that stretches short in front of the chest and then pulls the opponent’s hands to the chest which is continued with elbow blows and lower attacks using the hips. If done at the right time and high speed followed by movement rotating from the body like a spring (helical metal coil), it can result in opponents bouncing far enough. Ngigel Peacock kick is usually used for battles that are very close or almost without space in between.
The other core tactic which application is difficult and exhausting is the Strait of the Earth, which is the incorporation of all basic moves that are played with the position of very low stance (almost squatting) with the direction of movement of the foot based on the direction of the wind. This kick is played initially with the position of the low stance and after it finishes the series of moves are played on top after finishing back down (up and down and up and down and so on), so it’s very draining. This skill has a high level of difficulty apart from the power factor as well as movement, because it must be able to slam the opponent with a slash of legs in the position of very low stance.
Although Aliran Sabeni focuses on empty-handed games, Sabeni also recognizes the use of weapons, such as machete and cukin (long cloth like a scarf wrapped around the waist or draped around the neck, serves to snatch the opponent’s hand / leg and take the opponent’s weapon), but only as tool. Both of these tools are only taught to students who have entered the combination stage.
Source: Various Sources