Silat (more formally, ‘Pencak Silat’) is a martial art and self-defense system developed in Nusantara region which consists of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and parts of Thailand. Silat contains centuries-old self-defense techniques proven effective in the fight for independence against colonial powers. It includes offensive techniques including punches, elbow and knee strikes, and kicks. Silat weapons include the Golok, Toya, Kerambit, Sarong and Cilurit. The aim of Silat is to build noble character, bravery, and integrity in its practitioners. As a whole, Silat practitioners develop themselves mentally and spiritually in order to promote love, peace and unity throughout the community, nation and the world.
“Pencak Silat has two inter-related dimensions: the spiritual dimension and physical dimension. The spiritual dimension of Pencak Silat teaches noble mind and character. The physical dimension has its focus on the great variety of Pencak Silat techniques, each with its own characteristics and forms.”
De Groot, George F, and Notosoejitno. “II. Term and Meaning of Pencak Silat.” Pencak Silat – Self-Defense Arts of Indonesia, vol. 1, Warisan Budaya Indonesia Foundation, 2008, p. 3
Four Aspects of Pencak Silat
Pencak Silat places emphasis on four aspects:
- Mental / Spiritual (according to belief system ie. Islam, Christianity, etc.)
- Self Defense – Bela Diri
- Art and Culture
- Sport
“Pencak Silat developed into 4 main branches namely: Mental Spiritual Pencak Silat, Self-defense Pencak Silat, Artistic Pencak Silat and Sports Pencak Silat. Each has mental-spiritual, self-defense, art sport elements with emphasis on one of those aspects depending on the specialty of the respecting Pencak Silat branch. These four branches of Pencak Silat, along with their styles are maintained, developed and taught by perguruans and through organizations of pencak Silat in the form of education, teaching and training, and any other various activities.”
De Groot, George F, and Notosoejitno. “I. Peface” Pencak Silat – Self-Defense Arts of Indonesia, vol. 1, Warisan Budaya Indonesia Foundation, 2008, p. 2
What does Pencak Silat mean?
Pencak Silat is pronounced phonetically as “penchak silat” as the letter C in Indonesian and Malay languages is pronounced as a “Ch”. It is incorrect to pronounce it as Pen-kak. There are many theories about the origin of the name Pencak Silat. Some say that it was derived from the Javanese word mencak which means actions to prepare for fighting and Silat was from the word ilat which means tactic and from the ancient Javanese word sila which means moral.
Other theories can be found here.
A modern interpretation of the meaning of the Silat is silaturahmi which means friendship and camaraderie – and derives from the Arabic term silat-ur-rahim or صلة الرحم which mean family kinship. This meaning invokes a main purpose of Silat, to improve community and familial ties.
The words Pencak and Silat have the same meaning, are interchangeable, have their origins in the culture of Nusantara. The are regional differences though. The term Pencak is commonly used by the people in the islands of Java, Madura and Bali, and Silat is used by people who live in the other areas of Indonesia as well as in other Nusantara areas. The term Pencak Silat is a compound word. This compound term was accepted in the bylaws of IPSI (Indonesian Pencak Silat Federation) at the first ISPI Congress in December 22nd- 23rd, 1950 in Yogyakarta. IPSI stands for “Ikatan Pencak Silat Indonesia”.
De Groot, George F, and Notosoejitno. “II. Term and Meaning of Pencak Silat.” Pencak Silat – Self-Defense Arts of Indonesia, vol. 1, Warisan Budaya Indonesia Foundation, 2008, p. 3
Prior to the Indonesian independence from the Dutch in 1945 and the Malaysian independence in 1957, formal Pencak Silat schools were not allowed by the colonizing power. Silat was passed on through family members and often the movements were hidden in a form of a cultural dance. After their independence, there was a resurgence of formal Pencak Silat schools or perguruans. Most of the famous Pencak Silat schools were founded in the mid to late 20th century.