PERAN SENI BELADIRI KUNTAU DALAM PENANAMAN KARAKTER PEMUDA DI DESA KASUI LAMA KECAMATAN KASUI KABUPATEN WAY KANAN

Abstract

This study aims to examine the role of Kuntau martial arts in character development among youth in Kasui Lama 
Village, Kasui District, Way Kanan Regency. The article is developed from research concerning Kuntau as both a 
martial art practice and a local cultural tradition. The discussion focuses on mental-spiritual development, fighting 
techniques, training ethics, and youth character formation. Kuntau is positioned as a non-formal educational 
medium through which habituation, modeling, social interaction, and cultural internalization take place. The 
findings indicate that Kuntau training extends beyond physical skills and is associated with discipline, 
responsibility, courtesy, courage, solidarity, self-control, and respect for teachers and parents. Mental-spiritual 
development is one of the strongest aspects, while fighting techniques support self-confidence when taught within 
an educational framework emphasizing control of aggression. Kuntau also functions as a means of transmitting 
local culture, enabling young people to acquire martial skills while strengthening cultural identity. Therefore, 
Kuntau can be developed as a local-wisdom-based character education medium.