BOGOR, WEST JAVA —-— Kampung Silat Jampang (KSJ) successfully hosted Lebaran Jawara at Zona Madina in Bogor on Saturday (February 25, 2026). The event, attended by 250 participants from 65 schools, is a tangible demonstration of GREAT Edunesia Dompet Dhuafa’s commitment to preserving pencak silat as a UNESCO World Heritage.
Haryo Mojopahit, Head of the Research and Cultural Program Development Division at GREAT Edunesia, stated that the Lebaran Jawara event is a form of appreciation for the schools and practitioners who have contributed to the world of pencak silat, fostering a positive and inspiring sense of community. Furthermore, he noted that this event serves as an effort to strengthen bonds of camaraderie and foster a shared spirit to preserve and revive the glory of pencak silat at both the local and national levels.
Titled “Strengthen Brotherhood, Bring Silat to the Peak of Glory,” Lebaran Jawara is not merely a gathering for champions but also a platform for strengthening the capacity of pencak silat instructors, pencak silat classes in various locations—particularly schools—pencak silat championships, and building a network of traditional and competitive pencak silat.
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“Pencak silat is not merely a martial art but a means of character building and cultural identity that must be continuously preserved and developed,” said Haryo Mojopahit.
Also present at the Lebaran Jawara event were Prof. Ismunandar, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Culture; Yudi Santosa, Head of the Bogor Regency Culture Office; Mulyadi Saputra, Executive Director of GREAT Edunesia; and H. Daswara Sulanjana, Chairman of KSJ.
Opening the event, H. Daswara Sulanjana expressed his pride in the champions who consistently strive to do their best for the school.
“With great enthusiasm, these silat masters play a role in promoting this UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage. KSJ, he said, is committed to preserving, maintaining, and developing this traditional silat,” said the KSJ Chairman.
Meanwhile, on the same occasion, Mulyadi Saputra emphasized the importance of collaboration. Because, in his view, through collaboration, pencak silat will become increasingly global and widely recognized. In line with Mulyadi Saputra, Yudi Santosa also commended the Lebaran Jawara event organized by KSJ, “Kudos to KSJ’s efforts, which have been active for 12 years as a driving force for silat in Bogor; moving forward, the Bogor Regency government aims to maximize collaboration so that pencak silat becomes part of school extracurricular activities.”
Fadli Zon, represented by Prof. Ismunandar, stated, “The Lebaran Jawara event serves as a reminder to ensure Indonesia’s indigenous culture is passed down to future generations.” Silat, he said, was inscribed on the UNESCO list with the aim of ensuring that silat culture does not disappear, remains preserved, and is hoped to become an Olympic sport in the future. However, he added, the struggle to achieve that goal must continue. For him, silat is not just a sport but also a discipline of the spirit.”
The noble values and movements of pencak silat are becoming increasingly relevant to societal development, as they are believed to help preserve Indonesia’s noble values and authentic traditions. GREAT Edunesia is confident that through this initiative, a strong synergy among silat practitioners can be fostered, thereby making a tangible contribution to preserving and developing the nation’s cultural heritage. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: YPUU Dompet Dhuafa
Editor: Ronna