Silat is a traditional martial art that has been passed down for generations in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. It has a long history of use in real-world combat situations, making it a perfect choice for self-defense on the street. The art has evolved over hundreds of years to become highly effective in both armed and unarmed combat, and its emphasis on fluidity, adaptability, and multiple levels of fighting make it an ideal choice for anyone looking to improve their self-defense skills.
One of the key reasons why Silat is so effective in street combat is its emphasis on fluidity and adaptability. Practitioners are taught to react to any situation, using a variety of strikes, kicks, joint locks, and throws to take down an opponent. This makes Silat highly effective in real-world situations where the attacker may not be a trained martial artist and may not follow any set pattern of attack.
Another reason why Silat is perfect for the street is its emphasis on weapons training. Many Silat styles include training with weapons such as the keris (dagger), karambit (curved knife), and parang or golok (machete), which are commonly found in Southeast Asia. This weapons training provides practitioners with the ability to defend themselves against attackers armed with knives or other weapons.
Silat fighters are also not afraid to fight on multiple levels, including high, low and even going to the ground. However, unlike in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Silat fighters do not linger on the ground. They get back to their feet as soon as possible, which is more effective in a street fight with multiple opponents.
In addition, Silat also incorporates techniques for dealing with multiple attackers, which is a common scenario in street fights. This includes techniques for dealing with multiple opponents at once, as well as techniques for quickly taking out one opponent and then moving on to the next.
Silat’s long history of use in real-world combat situations also makes it an ideal choice for self-defense. The art has been passed down for generations through the Malay warrior culture, known as the Pendekar, who had to defend their land against countless foreign attacks from Europe, India, Siam and China, Japan. The Malays are generally a kind and peace-loving people, but when it comes to defending their land, their art is extremely effective.
In conclusion, traditional Silat is a highly effective martial art for self-defense on the street. Its emphasis on fluidity and adaptability, weapons training, and techniques for dealing with multiple attackers make it a perfect choice for anyone looking to improve their self-defense skills. The rich history of this art and its development over centuries, make it an ideal choice for those looking for a martial art with a strong cultural background. The emphasis on multiple levels of combat and quick return to standing position make it even more effective for street fights.
