Kuntao / Silat
Kuntao can be considered Southern Shaolin. A more precise answer is that it is the Chinese response to the indigenous arts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia more commonly known as Silat. Arriving in the area, the Chinese immigrants found that their previous thoughts regarding real combat had to be altered to deal with the bladed Silat arts found in the region. With their very survival threatened, their response was to get rid of all techniques that were not functional for combat. They let go of the “flower” and focused on the “root” of what was efficient for combat. This “letting go” included all esoteric aspects of their Animal and Internal systems until what was left became the brutal, energetic empty hand and weapons based art of Indonesian Kuntao.
Lineage of Training - Kuntao Silat Atlanta
Guru Bahati, as he prefers to be called, is a personal student of Bapak William de Thouars, Pendekar Guru Besar Herman Suwanda, and Pendekar Jim Ingram. He has traveled to Indonesia for over two decades and been blessed to train with many of the old Guru’s and Pendekars who have now moved to the next realm. Guru Bahati is a student of Indonesian cultural arts, Tenaga Dalam and Combative Arts. Guru adheres to Bellidari, Spiritual Healing, Movement to Instrumentation, and Kembatian.
Guru Phillip Ghee
The senior Atlanta Kuntao/Silat chapter member. He began his training in New York under George Cofield and Thomas Lapuppett. He is one the original students of Sifu Francis Fong (Wing Chung) where he trained for 20 years before beginning his Silat training with Guru Cass Magda in Los Angeles and becoming a private student of Guru Bahati Mershant.
A direct student of Pendekar Bahati Mershant and Guru Phillip Ghee, is one of the founding members of the Atlanta Kuntao/Silat Club. Kuntao/Silat are South East Asian Arts that feature true combatives and tactical training. This training works hand in hand with the Shaolin training offered at Reid's Premier Martial Arts Marietta.
Training
Training takes place normally on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. Instructors are normally on the floor one hour before class to answer questions and provide additional assistance. Due to the nature of the training, a personal interview with Guru Ghee and Sr. Master Reid must be conducted and the student accepted prior to attending class. Our curriculum is based upon the material taught by Guru Bahati Mershant at his yearly seminars here in Atlanta. Kuntao/Silat is a weapons based system. All students are required to purchase a Club T-Shirt, Li Uli Um trainer and Sabatan trainer. Tenaga Dallam from Pusaka Lakutama Sakti Mataram is also part of the curriculum for those looking to invigorate the body, build energy, and seek peace of mind.
Martial Arts Family
We have a large Kuntao/Silat family that includes practitioners such as Tuhon Ray Dionaldo, Grandmaster Billy White, Elder Master Tim Nance, Guru Daniel Prasetya, Guru Gordon Buck, Kumu Michelle Manu, Guru Bernard Chong, Sifu Cecil Siao-Pao, Guru Bruce Jolly, Baba Taji Nanji, Guru Besar Muhamad Rafijin, and "Ali'i" Miner (to name just a few), who also share their perspectives with our group.
This diverse group of dedicated combative martial artist help our students to grow and understand the realities, subtle sensitivities and tactics needed to have success in the in the real world.
Contact / Location
For additional information email, visit or call the Premier Martial Arts Marietta at 770.422.9250. We are located in the New Chastain Corners Kroger Shopping Center at 3595 Canton Road Ste 303 Marietta, Ga. 30066
Upcoming Classes
Kuntao Silat Atlanta Class for
March 2024
Saturday March 9, 2024
1:30pm-3:30pm
Saturday March 30, 2024
12pm-2pm
LOCATION 3595 Canton Rd. Ste. 303
Marietta, Ga. 30066
