Kemayoran popular artist associated with Kemayoran theater is Benyamin Sueb. Pencak silat, a martial art of the Betawi people, also flourished in Kemayoran. Styles of pencak silat developed in Kemayoran area are "Beksi", "Cingkrik", "Si tembak", "Sin lam ba", and "Kolong meja". Until late 80's, it is a common routine for children to practice pencak silat after the Isha prayers. During the 1990s, many of the traditional art and culture of Betawi characteristic of Kemayoran slowly disappeared. There are many folklore associated with Kemayoran area, usually involving the conflict between the indigenous people of Kemayoran and the Dutch "kompeni" (local term
Pencak Silat meaning "old silek", but others claim it traces to the freedom fighter Tuanku Nan Tuo after whom it was named. All the classical pencak silat weapons are used in silek but the most prominent Minang weapons are the "pedang" (sword), "tumbak" (spear), "karih" (dagger), "klewang" (longsword), "sabik" (sickle), "payung" (umbrella), "kurambik" (claw), and various types of knives. From Srivijaya, pencak silat quickly spread eastward into the Javanese Sailendra and Medang Kingdoms where the fighting arts developed in three geographical regions: West Java, Central Java, and East Java. Today Java is home to more styles of pencak silat than any other