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Pencak silat or silat ("fighting by using techniques of self-defence") is an oriental martial art with roots in the culture of the Malay people. This art is widely known in Indonesia and Malaysia and in these countries we can find dozens of alirans (styles) and thousands of schools. Many of the alirans find their origin in the observation of wild animals fighting. "Harimau" (tiger) and "Monyet" (monkey) are some examples.
There are four main aspects to pencak silat:
- The "Mental-Spiritual" (mental and spiritual) aspect:
- Pencak silat builds and develops the personality and noble character of oneself
- The "Bela-Diri" (self-defence) aspect:
- Self-confidence and perseverance are very important.
- The "Seni Budaya" (culture, art) aspect:
- Culture and performing the "art" of pencak silat is very important. This combines Pencak Silat with traditional music and costumes.
- The "Olah Raga" (sport) aspect:
- This means that the physical aspect of pencak silat is important. We try to have a sound mind in a sound body. Competitions are part of this aspect.
- There are full-contact (Tanding) fights, as well as form demonstrations, for one (Tunggal), two (Ganda) or three (Regu) persons.
The styles and schools of pencak silat differ from each other with regard to which aspects are emphasised. It is thanks to the sport and self-defence aspects that this sport has become popular in Europe. However, many believe the essence of Pencak Silat is lost, or watered down, when converted to a sport.
Pencak Silat is a system that consists of Sikaps (positions) and Geraks (movements). When pesilats are moving (when fighting) these sikaps and geraks change continuously. As soon as one finds an opening in their opponent's defence, they will try to finish the opponent with a fast Serangan (attack).
Pencak Silat has a wide variety of defence and attacking techniques. Practitioners may use hands, elbows, arms, legs and feet in attacks. Common techniques include sweeps, locks, etc.
The pesilat, or silat practitioner, practices with Juru-juru. A Juru is a series of meta-movements for the upper body used as a guide to learn the application, or buah when done with a partner. The use of Lankah, or lower body meta movements teach the use of footwork. When combined, it is Dasar Pasan, or whole body flow.
Pencak Silat has developed rapidly during the 20th century and has become a competition sport under the PERSILAT rules and regulations. At the moment Pencak Silat is being promoted by PERSILAT in several countries in all five continents.
PERSILAT (Persekutuan Pencak Silat Antarabangsa, the International Pencak Silat Federation) is promoting Pencak Silat as an international competition sport. Only members recognised by PERSILAT are allowed to participate at international competitions.
At the moment some European national Pencak Silat federations together with PERSILAT have founded an European Pencak Silat Federation.
In 2002 Pencak Silat was introduced as part of the exhibition programme at the Asian Games in Busan Korea for the first time.
The last World Championships 2002 took place in Penang, Malaysia in December 2002.
List of Silat styles
- Perguruan Pencak Silat Padjadjaran Nasional - Traditional west-javanese styles are combined in this aliran, the European branche is represented by Eric Bovelander.
- Silat Mubai - Combat Silat
- Silat Zulfikari - Martial practice of the Qadiri Rifai Tariqa
- Pukulan Bongkot - a Silat style
- Bersilat - Silat from Borneo
- Maphilindo Silat - a Silat style founded by Dan Inosanto to honour his Silat teachers. It is composed of styles from Malaysia (Ma), the Philippines (Phil) and Indonesia (Indo).
- Tongkat Silat
- Pukulan Pentjak Silat Serak (or Sera), a style founded by Pak Sera of the Badui tribe and expanded by Mas Djoet
- Bukti Negara, a modern, modified style of Sera designed by Pendekar Paul de Thouars for the weak and elderly
- Kuntao Silat combines Kuntao and Silat, as taught by Willem de Thouars.
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