The Three Brothers

Photo by: Nate Zeleznick, Copyright 2007
Pictured Above: Mas Mike, Mas Nate and Mas Luke Zeleznick on the beach of Parangkusumo, Yogyakarta, Indonesia- the birthplace of Merpati Putih.  “Parangkusumo is famous for its sacred myth. In Javanese culture and tradition, Parangkusumo beach is considered as the main gate to enter the Mystical Kingdom of South Sea, a spiritual palace of Queen of The South who rules the Indian Ocean.” 
 
The Three Brothers
The energy aspects of Merpati Putih were developed by Sultan Prabu Amangkurat of the Mataram II dynasty and most of the martial art was developed by his granddaughter Nye Ageneg Djojo Rejoso over 400 years ago.  This princess had three sons who each specialized in a certain area of study. Gagak (term equivalent to a "Duke") Samodro specialized in Internal Medicine.  Gagak Handoko specialized in the Martial Arts and Gagak Seto specialized in the arts.  It was with these three brothers that the secret Indonesian martial art really took form.  Merpatih Putih is a very beautiful and artistic martial art and each brother’s specialty each reflected a unique style of movement.  The seni (art) and kembangan (flowering) taught at MP USA in the Athletic Adventure Program are a derived from the rich Indonesian heritage and contribution of each of these three brothers.

Coincidentally, the first Westerners given permission from the modern day Indonesian Royal Heirs to learn Merpati Putih were three brothers- Mas Mike, Mas Nate and Mas Luke Zeleznick.  Mas Mike and Mas Nate currently teach these styles in the only Kolat (Indonesian term similar to the Japanese Dojo) that teaches Merpati Putih in the western hemisphere, which is located in Ogden, Utah.  For more information visit http://www.mp-usa.org/.

The complete Merpati Putih lineage is as follows:

 
Sources:
https://gudeg.net/en/directory/11/569/Pantai-Parangkusumo-Yogyakarta.html#.VI3xPCvF8dU
http://www.mp-usa.org/SocialSite/faq