Eddie Jafri

[Doc D]

Hello
In the past I have trained within the Pekiti Tersia Kali community. From time to time , I hear the name of a Guru Silat named Eddie Jafri ( I may be mis-spelling the name) mentioned. I understand that he is now deceased.

I was curious if anyone had trained with him or would be able to explain what his style and method was like. I suppose I am curious about the particulars of his style, history and overall biography.

Did anyone know him?

With Respect
Doc D

[Doc D]

On another thread, I just noticed Cimande Fan mention he has some material he can post regarding Eddie Jafri  and Keris fighting ....maybe it can be posted here as well? Is there other information available as well???

[SundaWarrior]

Salam Guru Dority,

How are you?
If my memory is correct Suryadi Jafri studied Cimande from West Java and Lankah Empat from Sumatra.  He used to hang out with Tuhon Gaje of PTKali.
If you are going to be in Dallas over New Years I would like to meet with you,
Guru Stutesman, and Guru Smith.  I will be there visiting a friend and I can bring you a video of Mr. Jafri.  Please email me (nickp531@yahoo.com) and let me know if you can arrange a meeting.  I will be in Texas from Dec 28th - to Jan 1.

Regards,
Nicholas

[Michael Lee]

Hello Doc D!  You're one step ahead of me my friend.  I saw your post earlier and was going to respond after I had a chance to pick my teacher's brain about Jafri.  My teacher, Pendekar Sanders, was an associate and friend of Jafri in the 1980s.  I know a bunch of jungled facts about him, but not enough to give you a proper answer.  P. Sanders is currently in route overseas and won't be available for a few weeks.  But suffice to say, here is what I know:

Pendekar Suryadi 'Eddie' Jafri (also known as crazy Eddie by the NYPD when he taught them martial arts) was sent to the United States in 1974 as the official rep. of the IPSI.  It was his job to help promote Pencak Silat in the United States.  I know he was also an associate of Leo Gahje's which is why his name is part of Pekiti Tersia's.  To what extent, I don't know.  I recall hearing that at one point, Jafri and Gahje were roomatest, but I could be wrong on that. 

A Silat called Lanka Emphat was something he taught and is availabe on video.  You can buy these videos ( I believe there are four of them) from Tuhon Greg Alland.  His website is www.Kalisilat.com.  I've seen a little bit of one of them and it was awesome!  Incidentally, Alland is currently teamed up with Nene Tortel, Leo Gahje's uncle, and he teaches and promotes Dikita Tirsia, which to my understanding is a sister art to Pekiti Tersia.

Alland also did a public access show in the 80s called 'Arnis Today.'  One episode has Jafri as guest and you can see that episode on Alland's website or here:  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=290708661647834300&hl=en

I may have a few facts mixed up here which is why I hesitated to respond immediatley to your post.  If you forward me your email address I can reply with the JPEG images I have of the magazine articles about Jafri. 

Regards,
Michael

[Doc D]

Many thanks to both SundaWarrior and Cimande Fan for contributing some information and visual aid  type resources. I have ,over the years, heard various stories  from teacher like Pendekar Herman Suwanda,  Tuhon Bill McGrath and Omar Hakim  and others. These stories usually insinuated that he was not one to be trifled with....but nothing of depth concerning his method or life in general was mentioned. I was recently contacted by someone who stated he was certifed to teach his Langkah Empat method but did not provide any information as to its theory or content . Having heard of this teacher's reputation and , now, recently having briefly talked with someone who trained in his system , I am very interested about learning some details about his life and silat method.

Again, thank you for your help.
With Respect
Doc  D

[silek]

Hello,

If Eddie Jafri taught Pengian Langkah Empat from Sumatera, it may be the silat originating from Taluk Kuantan. I heard about Silat Pengian from my gurus who came from there.

Although Taluk Kuantan is in the province of Riau, the people there practise Minangkabau culture just like the people in West Sumatera. I have been there once and I may be going there again. May I know which part of Indonesia Eddie Jafri comes from?

[optimus prime]

There is a lot of info on Eddie Jafri has just appear on the Cimande thread sent in by Cimande Fan. I believe Eddie was born in Borneo.

Optimus

[Michael Lee]

Optimus, I'll cut and paste the words concerning Jafri from the other post.  Plus, I'm also adding some new information that I just received this morning.

Enjoy everyone! 

Hi Michael, Eddie Jafri was Born in Borneo and trained with a Pendekar Antel in Sumatra in a style he called Lanka Umpat.  He had another but I can’t remember the name of that one. Then he moved to West java where he studied Cimande as well as other west Java styles. It was In Java when we talked about the name.  I think about 1986 but I’m not sure now. He was always after me to change the name to better reflect the work I was doing.  As I said previously many times, Jafri said I had worked long and hard to put back old authentic Cimande techniques in my art that many over here had failed to do.  He said that now that art was my Pusaka to pass on to all the future generations of my students.  He said to use the word Pusaka as it would become my family heirloom to them to their students.

By the way, I can’t remember the name but when he told me to change the name of my silat, he also told me he had picked the name for the art of a Jon De Jong.  He was a silat teacher who lived in California, but is now deceased.

Leo Gaje first lived in NYC, as did Jafri, when he came to this country.  They decided to pair up to do seminars.  Jafri taught Pencak Silat and Leo taught Kali.  Jafri also taught Leo some of his Pencak Silat.  I think he taught him some Pecut or whip style according to what I was told at the time. Jafri also taught Dan Inosanto his first Pencak Silat.  Danny became a part of the seminar circuit with them as well as me.  Later, I taught the Silat after Eddie returned to Indonesia and was unable to get back into the USA.

Eddie lived in Bedford Styvenson, New York City.  I went to train with him there.  It was a VERY rough area.  After meeting him in NYC where John Malter and I traveled to see him in the 80's, I continued to travel to NYC.  He also came to Pennsylvania numerous times and stayed at my home in Washington, even doing a seminar at John Malter’s school in West Virginia at my request. It was during all those times he suggested I go to Indonesia with him to train and that started my travels there.

And here is the latest info I just received this morning...


Ok Michael, I found some more details in my old notes from Pendekar Jafri.  He stated training at the age of 12 in Sumatra in a small tiny village in the Riau (Rhio) Archipelago, which is called Sepat or Pulau Emas (the golden Island). Here he learned from very famous teachers such as Father Jamin whose title was Pendekar Lemah.  His second teacher was father Ajang Asan whose title was Pendekar Gading.  His third teacher was father Mohammed whose title was Pendekar Lucu and his fourth teacher was the youngest, father Antal known as Pendekar Antel.  He adds in his notes the title Pendekar was given to teachers whose knowledge is regarded as pure and superior, spiritual as well as physically.  He also received the Pencak Silat of Langah Umpat (four steps).  Lastly, he studied the West Javanese styles in depth and was taught the ways of fighting with the Pedang, the Golok, the Kujang, the Keris, the Rencong, and the Clurit. Pendekar