Pentjak Silat Anak Sera(k)-A Brief History of the Style Now Known as
Anakserak
For the record, the islands of Indonesia, Java in particular have not
been submerged in the last 20 million years. This has allowed for the
development of one of the oldest known societies on the planet that
has an unbroken line of succession. Some of the oldest known fossil
records of early man exist on Java. The indigenous peoples became
very attuned to the natural world around them and over many
centuries, this led to the development of a mystical consciousness
and way of living that fostered a respect and close interaction with
the elemental powers of nature itself. From this beginning the art of
Pentjak Silat was born. It is not really an "art," as the Indonesian
language has no word for art. It is actually more of a form of living
life. Art is not separated from life.

Pentjak Silat is the romanized form of the concept for "stylized
lightning motion." At its roots are the preservation of the self
through the harmonious movements of redirection and deflection of
movement, force and energy. A true master of Pentjak Silat practices
the ability to ward-off attack through the redirection of energy in
and around his/her immediate environment. This takes a few years to
develop and requires the help of a master. An apprentice is usually
brought into the fold and taught as a member of the family. In this
manner the information and training is passed on from generation to
generation. Entire Pentjak Silat societies were formed and from these
societies a culture was developed. It is accepted that the West
Javanese Pentjak Silat style reached a level unsurpassed in the
islands and became the model for other styles to mold themselves
after.

In more recent times a gifted practitioner of West Javanese Pentjak
Silat created a method of training enabling his students to rapidly
advance in the theory and movements of Pentjak Silat. Because of his
raspy voice his students nicknamed him "Pak Serak." "Pak" (respectful
title for an elder) "Serak" (meaning: "one with a raspy voice"). "Pak
Serak."

Pak Serak became widely recognized as a "wise person," a gifted
teacher and healer. He took on two apprentices and educated each one
in the finer points of "Pentjak Silat Pak Serak" until they acquired
mastery. One was named, "Abang Djut." Abang Djut taught two
apprentices, brothers named John and Ernest de Vries who also reached
a level of mastery that satisfied the requirements of the style.
These two, in turn, taught "Pentjak Silat Pak Serak" to their nephew
Maurice de Thouars until he too fulfilled the requirements.

In February of 1999 Maurice de Thouars gave recognition to one of his
students and conferred upon him the designation of full apprentice.
Then in May of 2004 Maurice de Thouars gave Dr. Andre Knust-Graichen
the title of "heir and successor" in Pentjak Silat Pak Serak. Because
of the nature of the practice of Pentjak Silat Dr. Andre was assigned
the task of making the art more available to those interested in
learning this form of Pentjak Silat. Therefore with the approval and
guidance of his teacher, Dr. Andre has formulated a teaching approach
which is called "Anakserak" (anak means child of ). This new approach
would allow those individuals who express a sincere desire to learn
an opportunity to do so. My Guru is certified under Dr. Andre
I have just recieved my Guru Muda certificate in Pentjak Silat
Anakserak from Guru Dr. Conrad Bui of the United States Pentjak Silat
Association