Silat
Pencak silat or
silat ("fighting by using techniques of self-defence") is an oriental
martial art with roots in the culture of the
Malaysian peoples. 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: \n#:Pencak silat builds and develops the personality and noble character of oneself \n#The "Bela-Diri" (self-defence) aspect:\n#:Self-confidence and perseverance are very important. \n#The "Seni Budaya" (culture, art) aspect:\n#:Culture and performing the "art" of pencak silat is very important. This combines Pencak Silat with traditional music and costumes. \n#The "Olah Raga" (sport) aspect: \n#: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. \n#: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.
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.
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.
On May 1 1989 the Belgian Pencak Silat federation (BPSB; Bond Pencak Silat Belgiл) was founded and is recognised by BLOSO (Belgian national sportsfederation) and PERSILAT.
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 are working towards the foundation of an European Pencak Silat Federation. This European federation will probably be centralised in Belgium.
The last World Championships
2002 took place in
Penang,
Malaysia in December 2002.
List of Silat styles
\n*Silat Mubai - Combat Silat\n*Silat Zulfikari - Martial practice of the Qadiri Rifai Tariqa\n*Pukulan Bongkot - a Silat style\n*Bersilat - Silat from Borneo\n*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).\n*Tongkat Silat\n*Pukulan Pentjak Silat Serak (or Sera), a style founded by Pak Sera of the Badui tribe and expanded by Mas Djoet\n*Bukti Negara, a modern, modified style of Sera designed by Pendekar Paul de Thouars for the weak and elderly\n*Kuntao Silat combines
Kuntao and Silat, as taught by Willem de Thouars.
External links
Category:Martial arts