Suwanda Family Tree
MIMI RUKMINI
THE BEGINNING: My Grandma.
MIMI RUKMINI died in 2012. She is the root of the Suwanda Silat. My Late Grandma was a strong and tough woman. When I was young, she took care of me. She educated me with excellent knowledge and inspired me to become a strong woman like her. My Grandpa also learned some Silat from Her. Her Father and many of Her Uncles were freedom fighters against the colonization before Independence. She was of the Cimande Family. In some ways, you might say that Cimande's theory is as simple as hit and block, but it is a powerful art. The men and Women of Cimande village hid the art of Cimande from the general public for reasons of not wanting anyone to know of their skills. They would deny any knowledge of Cimande or Pencak Silat in general. Being Humble is a big part of being in good standing with the community, and it is essential to be a respectful person in Pencak Silat. My Grandma once said, even we are the humble people in Cimande, but when they get angry and lose control, they seem to be going in the direction of breaking the rules in their society. I want to be thankful to My late Grandma, who guided me to a promising future in Silat. Even though she is not here with me physically, she is still here with me in spirit.
UYUH SUWANDA
Pendekar UYUH SUWANDA is My Grandpa. He passed away in 1989 when I was one year old. My father told me that I was so close with Him in the past. Even though I dont remember my Grandpa, But He is an excellent example for me. My late Grandma and Dad told me that my Grandpa was strong in character and respected by many people in West Java. He instilled in His Children His love of the traditional ways and His determination to preserve them. My Dad always told me That my Grandpa Kept telling Him, " The Family's Silat must not die." When the leader of the family system dies, then another must take this place. Even though the leader has passed away, the Family system is still alive as the last generation is in my father's hands. It is because of the spirit and principles that my Grandpa gave us. The spirit will continue to grow within all of us who practice and promote the Suwanda System.
PENDEKAR HERMAN SUWANDA
PENDEKAR HERMAN SUWANDA was born on Feb 10, 1955 and Died in 2000. I never forget what My Uncle has done for me, He was Amazing. He always support My Father. He loves His niece and His nephew. He worked hard for Family, He take Family's pride very well. He is multi talented and He is a real artist, not only proficient in Pencak Silat. but He is a creative person, He is the only person in Family who studies at the favorite university in Indonesia. meaning He is the chosen one who can study at the university because He is an clever Man. he is very creative, and He is very good at making puppets. His life journey is my motivation. He is a great man, wonderful personality, clever man. His best friend, Steve Hunting, always tell me the story about my uncle's journey, How He bring and introduce silat to the world.. and How My Ucnle become well known in the world..
Uncle you are a Extraordinary Man. You motivated many people in the world with your Journey. Thank you very much for all you done for The Family.
Bambang Suwanda
Bambang Suwanda is My father! He was born in Bandung on March 8, 1964. He is a quiet and humble man. I learned a lot from him how to be humble. He dedicated his life to Silat. He knew Silat when He was seven years old with his late Father ( Pendekar Uyuh Suwanda), and because of that, his late Father entrusted his silat school to him in Bandung. My Father not only teaches the Westerns, but He also teaches in junior and high school and college. He was learned different systems and forms from His parents and also from other Silat Guru. He is each of the individuals in the Suwanda Family has different materials and techniques in Pencak silat. My Father is also the primary training partner of His late Brother ( Pendekar Herman Suwanda), as seen in most of Herman's commercial videos. My Uncle credits Him as being the one who has helped him demonstrate and develop the material for the JAGABAYA Program. Like my Uncle said, " My Dad is very talented in Pencak Silat
LILIS TARWIFAH
LILIS TARWIFAH Born on 2-Feb-1969 Bandung, west java, Indonesia. Died 13 June 2021.
My Mother is a tough Woman. She was one of my grandpa's students. but since marrying my Father, She no longer trained Silat. I learned from Her how to be a patient woman. because She said patience will lead me to a good future. from patience we will become a strong and wise Person. And Yes it was True!!
what I do for Silat and my weapons business I will dedicate to my Mother. even though She not with me anymore, because death separates us. but Her spirit is still with me and I'm sure She must have seen my accomplishments.
Steve Hunting
The Bridge :From Suwanda Family Pencak Silat in Indonesia to America:
I was born in 1950 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My interest in martial arts began in 1960 when at the age of 10 I took a summer seminar in judo at the YMCA. I enjoyed the experience and continued to practice judo until 1972 when I graduated from college. In 1971 I began practicing Tai Chi with a Taiwanese student at Michigan State University when I was a senior there, after graduation I moved to San Francisco for a year to continue my Tai chi studies. After moving back to Michigan in 1973 I studied Tai Chi off and on with a Chinese instructor in Ann Arbor and continued with him until 1980. In late 1974 I met my first Pencak Silat instructor, Eriyatno, who was studying for his masters and PhD at Michigan State University. He taught primarily Setia Hati and a family style of kuntao (Kung fu) taught to him my his uncle through marriage. He also taught Perisai Diri which he learned in school from his neighbor and childhood friend who was the son of the founder of PD. After Eriyatno graduated and returned to Indonesia in 1979 my plan was to move to Indonesia to continue my study of PD. As I was trying to save money to move to Indonesia I decided to take a job in San Francisco to further my studies in Tai chi while saving for the move to Indonesia. I moved to San Francisco in the fall of 1980. I had no expectation of finding Pencak Silat but as it turned out Guru Bambang’s older brother Guru Herman also moved to San Francisco in 1980 and began teaching in early 1981. I was one of Herman’s first students in America and remained with him until his death in Germany in an auto accident in 2000. It was Guru Herman and Guru Bambang who developed the Jagabaya system taught today. I met Guru Herman’s mom in 1983 when she visited San Francisco and the rest of the family in 1984 when I first visited Indonesia. I was the first and only American student to receive a white belt in the original Mande Muda as it was developed in the 1970’s, the highest level a non-family member could achieve. The yellow belt was reserved for family members, there were only 3 yellow belts at the time of my testing. Note that I was a student of Guru Herman not Guru Bambang nor was I a student of their father Guru Besar Uyuh although I knew him and practiced with him a few times. At the time of Guru Herman’s death I was Vice President of Pencak Silat Mande Muda International and 1st Vice President of Pencak Silat Association of the United States of America Inc.
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From Hilda's Eyes:
Steve Hunting was one of my Grandpa and Uncle's First Student who Got a yellow belt. yellow belt in my family system is the highest level which means it is already part of the Suwanda family. and also He is my Uncle's best Friend. He did a lot for my uncle. and he has a lot of experience about Silat, about my family and also about Indonesia. since My uncle's death, He has not been very active in Silat. until I finally met Him and He was very happy to help me develop the Suwanda family silat. He is one of the figures who always support me, who taught me many things in business and how to teach Silat well, He is an important figure for my achievement now. and also He is an advisor in my father's silat system. He is highly skilled and experience from working together with my Uncle for so many years.
I am very grateful to have Him in my life.