History of Merpati Putih

 

 

Merpati Putih martial arts were originated from a Javanese Royal family of Mataram. Mataram was one of well-known Javanese Kingdoms. After the martial arts of Mataram being in the hands of the seventh generation, which is the hands of the guru Sarengat Siswo Hadi Poernomo, he handed it over to his sons: Mas Poerwanto Hadipoernomo (the older) and Mas Budhi Santoso Hadipoernomo (the younger). The two sons expanded this knowledge so that we recognize it as what Merpati Putih is today. As a sport institution, Merpati Putih was established by the second of April, 1963 in Yogyakarta – Indonesia.

Few years after the establishment of Merpati Putih, this tradition was still taught to exclusive members. Merpati Putih was taught to Indonesian Special Armed Force in Yogyakarta. In 1968, this martial art was officially handed over by the guru in the hands of the two prominent artists of Merpati Putih: Mas Poerwanto Hadipoernomo (the older) and Mas Budhi Santoso Hadipoernomo (the younger). They thus sustain the position of their father as guru of Merpati Putih.

Since 1968, they become new guru of Merpati Putih. Since then, this knowledge has been allowed to be introduced to the broader society of Indonesia. It was begun in Yogyakarta and later expanded to whole Java and currently beyond Java. Even it has embarked on some foreign countries, namely Philippine, Japan, America, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, recently in France and in other countries where the Indonesian embassies are situated. In 1976, PPS-BETAKO MERPATI PUTIH was given an honor to coach the Pasukan Pengawal Presiden or presidential special guards and Koppassandha (currently called: KOPASSUS) or Indonesian Special Armed Force in Jakarta.

In 1977, the representative of Merpati Putih established a committee organized Merpati Putih in Jakarta. This committee later turned to be the official organization of Merpati Putih with its head-office in Jakarta. However, the institution of Martial Arts of Merpati Putih is remained in Yogyakarta. Recently, PPS-BETAKO MERPATI PUTIH is given an honor to coach Indonesian Air-force Academy with 460 students in Yogyakarta.

Resources: Merpati Putih Netherlands
Photo: Merpati Putih Netherlands
           KOPASSUS Indoensia