The Martial Arts of Indonesia

Preserved in music, dance, and art—as well as in ritual, tribal law, and mythology—the fighting arts of the Indonesian archipelago play a central role in Indonesian culture. The Martial Arts of Indonesia is a heavily illustrated and well-researched work from revered martial arts scholar and teacher Donn F. Draeger. Draeger offers an expert's perspective on the story of Indonesia's martial culture, providing a comprehensive introduction to the sophisticated forms of empty-hand combat. These acrobatic fighting styles like Pencak Silat—which was granted World Cultural Heritage status by UNESCO in 2019—and Kuntao are growing in popularity around the world. This book also has extensive information on traditional Indonesian weapons including: * Keris: A dagger with a waved blade and pistol-grip handle * Kujang: A sickle-shaped dagger with a distinctive curve * Rencong: An L-shaped knife with a slightly curved blade Draeger shows how these unique Indonesian forms are related to their