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| General Information |
Kuntau Dayak is a traditional martial art originating among the Dayak people in Sarawak, Malaysia.In kuntau dayak, techniques and styles are known as bunga and buah. Bunga is the “formation of the movement/style" and buah refers to the "defending/attacking technique". There are several styles of kuntau Dayak, sharing certain features. Kuntau Dayak provides the the practitioner fighting skills, enabling him to protect oneself. Fights can either be bear-handed or using weaponry. Traditional weapons include the terabai (shield), the parang ilang machete, the sangkuh (spear), the kerambit (tiger claw), the blowpipe and small dagger (WoMAU, n.d.). |
| History/Development |
Most kuntau practitioners (tok guru) do not know the origin or history of kuntau. Kuntau dayak masters in Sarawak, Malaysia claim that this traditional martial art was practiced by the Dayak people since ancient times pre-dating to the headhunting era. Apart from tribal wars, the Dayak warriors also fought against foreign powers who came to Sarawak (WoMAU, n.d.). |
Transmission
(Policies/institutions) |
Recently measures have been taken to safeguard kuntau. The Sarawak Dayak Martial Art Association promotes the region’s traditional kuntau native martial arts among the youth (WoMAU, n.d.; Sarawak Dayak Martial Art Association, n.d.). |
| Relevant Organisations |
- Sarawak Dayak Martial Art Association (SDMAA)
https://sdmaainfo.wixsite.com/kuntaudayak |
| Additional Materials |
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| References |
- WoMAU. (n.d.). “Kuntau Dayak”, WoMAU.
http://womau.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=e_ak_b3x1&wr_id=87&pageNum=2&subNum=3&ct=55
- Sarawak Dayak Martial Art Association
https://sdmaainfo.wixsite.com/kuntaudayak | | |
