Paatje Phefferkorn
Encyclopedia
Verdi Phefferkorn von Offenbach (Bandung 1922), better known as ‘Paatje Phefferkorn’, is an iconic Indo (Eurasian) practitioner of the Indonesian martial art Pencak Silat in the Netherlands. As one of its best known teachers he has played an important role in increasing the popularity of this Martial Art in the Netherlands and Europe.
in Bandung
, the Dutch East Indies
. He became a prodigy and only Indo student at the Javanese Pencak Silat school of teacher Mr. Sumanto who practiced the style of ‘Setia Hati’. For 7 years he trained with Sumanto on a daily basis.
He managed to escape the Japanese prisoner camp and fled to the Preanger mountains where he joined other resistance fighters to engage the Japanese in a guerilla war. Despite the fact he was half Indonesian his blue eyes revealed he was not Javanese and he was caught during a razzia by the Kempeitai
.
Non of the other resistance fighters survived Japanese imprisonment. Phefferkorn barely survived himself and after Japans’ defeat in the war he only weighted 21 kilos.
period following Japans capitulation, he was initially unable to leave the prison camp, but was too frustrated with the fact that he had to be protected by Japanese guards that he stole weapons and escaped their protective custody.
He survived the Bersiap period and vainly attempted to build a home for his family during the chaotic years of the Indonesian Revolution. In one of the last so called repatriation waves he left Indonesia for the Netherlands.
. Soon he established a second school and in the end ran 17 schools throughout the Netherlands. He became part of the "Council Of Elders" advising the Dutch Pencak Silat union, BPSI (Bond Pencak Silat Indonesia).
Dutch East Indies 1931-1941
In 1931 at the age of 10 Phefferkorn started practicing Pencak SilatPencak Silat
Pencak silat is an umbrella term for the indigenous martial arts created in Indonesia. The leading organization of pencak silat in Indonesia is IPSI...
in Bandung
Bandung
Bandung is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, and the country's third largest city, and 2nd largest metropolitan area in Indonesia, with a population of 7.4 million in 2007. Located 768 metres above sea level, approximately 140 km southeast of Jakarta, Bandung has cooler...
, the Dutch East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
. He became a prodigy and only Indo student at the Javanese Pencak Silat school of teacher Mr. Sumanto who practiced the style of ‘Setia Hati’. For 7 years he trained with Sumanto on a daily basis.
WWII 1942-1945
When WWII broke out Phefferkorn enlisted as volunteer and became an air force armaments mechanic and air gunner. The aging Glenn Martin bombers at the secret airport of Samazinda where he was stationed were no match for the modern Japanese war machine and on the 8th of March, 1942 he was made a POW.He managed to escape the Japanese prisoner camp and fled to the Preanger mountains where he joined other resistance fighters to engage the Japanese in a guerilla war. Despite the fact he was half Indonesian his blue eyes revealed he was not Javanese and he was caught during a razzia by the Kempeitai
Kempeitai
The was the military police arm of the Imperial Japanese Army from 1881 to 1945. It was not an English-style military police, but a French-style gendarmerie...
.
Non of the other resistance fighters survived Japanese imprisonment. Phefferkorn barely survived himself and after Japans’ defeat in the war he only weighted 21 kilos.
Revolution 1946-1958
Due to the revolutionary violence during the BersiapBersiap
Bersiap is the name given by the Dutch to a violent and chaotic phase of Indonesia's revolutionary period following the end of World War II. The Indonesian word bersiap means 'get ready' or 'be prepared'...
period following Japans capitulation, he was initially unable to leave the prison camp, but was too frustrated with the fact that he had to be protected by Japanese guards that he stole weapons and escaped their protective custody.
He survived the Bersiap period and vainly attempted to build a home for his family during the chaotic years of the Indonesian Revolution. In one of the last so called repatriation waves he left Indonesia for the Netherlands.
The Netherlands 1959-2010
Penniless Phefferkorn arrived in the Netherlands with a family of 7 children and only continued the art of Pencak Silat for his personal training exercises. In 1967 he started a small school in the city of UtrechtUtrecht
Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands.The name may also refer to:* Utrecht , of which Utrecht is the capital* Utrecht , including the city of Utrecht* Bishopric of Utrecht* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht...
. Soon he established a second school and in the end ran 17 schools throughout the Netherlands. He became part of the "Council Of Elders" advising the Dutch Pencak Silat union, BPSI (Bond Pencak Silat Indonesia).
Indo Melati Flag
Phefferkorn is also known as the creator of the 'Indo Melati' flag and emblem. The flag represents communal pride and loyalty and overal peace and non-violence supported by signs of defensibility.- The two tilted 'siku-siku' (tridents) and the 'golok' (sword) represent Indo people as advocates and fighters in words and deeds.
- The middle of the triangle is reserved for the 'kembang melati' (jasmine flower); the flower represents charm and beauty. This flower particularly symbolizes Indo women.
- The star on top symbolizes the brightness during a dark night and people that shine when times call for it.
- The symbol is enclosed by a 'padi' halm (young rice stalk) on the left and right side. This symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.
- At the bottom the word INDO is written in gold coloured capital letters.
External links
- Official Dutch fan site. Reterieved 22 Sep 2010
- Interview with Paatje Phefferkorn. Retrieved 22 Sep 2010.
- Official Tong Tong Festival website.
- Documentary 'Setia Hati - het verhaal van Paatje Phefferkorn'.