Silat
Silat
Silat or Pencak Silat is an Indonesian martial art. The term can be translated as ?fighting using self defense techniques?. Similar fighting arts are common in Malay communities of the Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Silat is also popular in Netherlands which controlled Indonesia for a long time.
Aspects of Silat Silat has four components or aspects; Mental and spiritual, Self-defense, Cultural and artistic, and Sport.
Under mental and spiritual, Silat aims to develop the character of the performer. It also aims to improve concentration and focus under stressful situations. Silat?s self defense aspect emphasizes person?s self confidence and perseverance. Silat is culturally significant and it is performed with an accompaniment of traditional music. Performers also dress in special costumes. Silat is also intended as a physical sport to improve the health of the body. As such vigorous training and competitive matches are part of Silat.
Silat has huge number of schools and styles known as aliran. They differ from each other by the emphasis given to various aspects of Silet. Geography in the form of large number of islands that form Indonesia also played a part in creation of those styles. Some like Sera or Serak from western Java are complete and sophisticated marital art systems.
Techniques Pencak silat has variety of techniques. These consist of positions known as sikap-sikap and movements known as gerak-geri. The practitioners of Pencak silat known as ?pesilat?, engage in continuously changing from one position to another through movements in order to find weaknesses in opponent. When such vulnerabilities are found an attack or a serangan is delivered. Pesilet can use hands, legs, elbows, arms, and knees in attack and defense. Techniques include kicking, punching, tripping, locking, throwing, straggling, and breaking joints, among others.
Silat has techniques for using several weapons as well. While the primary Silat weapon is the keris or the dagger, other weapons that can be used in Silat techniques include pedang (sword), golok (broadsword), Chinese sword, lembing(spear), kapak (axe), parang (cleaver), staff , tjabang (truncheon), and kipas (fan). In addition new or foreign weapons like Japanease swords can and have been adapted into Silat weapons techniques
Training Silet uses a Kata like individual performances to train and interpret its techniques. They are called ?dasar pasang?. Upper body movement training is called ?djuru? and lower body training is called ?langkah?. When these movements are practiced with another person the training is called ?buah?.
History There are many Legends about the origins of Silat but historically Silat was probably developed in the island of Sumatra and flourished at the time of Sri Vijaya Kingdom. It was influenced by the Hindu martial arts from India as well as Chinese martial arts. Silat may have influenced and got influenced by Okinawan martial arts like karate.
Modern Pencak silat is governed by rules imposed by PERSILAT (or International Pencak Silat Federation ) They are intended for making Silat into an international competitive sport and eventual admission to Olympics. PERSILAT is the world governing body for Silat. In addition to this modern version of Silat, traditional forms of Silat are also still performed competitively.