The History of Jl. Sabeni in Tanahabang

Jakarta, metropostnews.com - Tanahabang has many mysteries in the history of Jakarta, ranging from the name of Tanahabang which is reputedly from the name of a plant to an area producing rebana (tambourine) to an area producing Betawi martial art masters like Sabeni, whose name is immortalized as a name of street in Tanahabang, Central Jakarta.

Maybe there are only a few people who know about Sabeni, a Betawi martial art master who was born in Kuburanlama, Tenabang in 1865. Not only the Netherlands was bothered by his action at that time, but he also made the government of Japan inconvenient with his existence.

Because of his service to this country against the colonialism and in raising the dignity of Tenabang’s residents, the name Sabeni was used for a street in front of his house around Jl KH Mas Mansyur, Tanahabang until today.

People told that Sabeni was a modest man. To develop Tenabang, Sabeni taught martial arts to young people there. His teaching made the Netherlands worried and threatened. Sabeni was forbidden to teach martial arts.

His expertise on martial arts made Sabeni fought against the Japans. People knew more about Sabeni and his name was immortalized as a name of street.

Until now, the name Sabeni was not only used for a street in Tanahabang but also for a martial art school who had been established by Sabeni himself. “Unfortunately, we can not find Sabeni’s house and his legacy anymore,” said Budiono (52), one of Sabeni’s grandson.

When beritajakarta.com visited Jl Sabeni in Tanahabang, there is no legacy of Sabeni. Sabeni’s house which was located near a goat market (pasar Kambing) was changed, inhabited by other people, not Sabeni’s family. “The only Sabeni`s legacy is his grave on Karet Bivak cemetery, Blad 4.2, Block A.A, no. 679 right beside the grave of H Husni Thamrin,” said Budiono.

Besides the grave, Sabeni’s school of martial art is still developed until now. Some of his grandsons teach martial art; they are Haji Cholid in Cileduk, Tangerang and Haji Zulnahtir in Tanahabang, Central Jakarta. “Different from others, Sabeni’s school of martial art is located remotely,” said Cholid.

Cholid, who lives in Kampung Duku, Cileduk, Tangerang, said that Sabeni’s school of martial art is mixed with Islamic religion teaching. Cholid has his opinion that this school of martial art is not commercial like others.

Meanwhile, Haji Ali bin Sabeni, one of Sabeni’s sons who lived around gate II TMII East Jakarta told that his father was a figure of martial arts who live and was born in Tanahabang. Unfortunately, Sabeni’s legacy like house could not be found in Tanahabang. “Only the street name is left. One of the preservations done by his generation is by managing his school of martial arts,” he added. (dya)