Pencak Silat is the collective term for traditional Indonesian martial arts. Different styles have traditionally been developed in each region, often imitating local animals.
In Indonesia, Pencak Silat is strongly interwoven with mental and spiritual elements, in which physical and spiritual development go hand in hand. In Europe, the physical aspect is best known.
The origin of Pencak Silat
Because many wild animals lived in the jungles of Indonesia, Indonesians developed a form of self-defense that differed from every other form of self-defense.
They began imitating the movements of animals. These techniques were continually adapted and perfected. What most people agree on, at least, is that Pencak Silat originated in West Sumatra among the Minangkabau.
The oldest known styles, such as Silek Tuo, Silek Pauh, Silek Kumango, Silek Seteralak, and Silek Lintau, all come from this region and are still taught today.
What is Pencak Silat?
The power of pencak silat becomes apparent when it transitions into hard, fast movements. Pencak silat therefore consists of two parts. Pencak refers to movement with controlled, fluid body control that is graceful.
Silat refers to lightning-fast movement, based on toughness, with the aim of defense, neutralization, and counterattack.
A well-trained pencak silat practitioner will never attack in a real-life situation, but will patiently and calmly wait for the attack before using their techniques in combat.
Some methods of practicing pencak silat also mean that participating in sparring and competitions is practically impossible because the techniques used are prohibited due to their devastating effect on the opponent.
Introduction to the West
Although the Dutch colonists in the former Dutch East Indies had already encountered it, the article published in June 1965 in the American magazine Black Belt is regarded as the moment when the West was first introduced to it and its international breakthrough began. The cover featured a photo of a demonstration by Rudy Ter Linden and Paul de Thouars, two greats who would play an important role in this development.
Within Europe, there are only a few schools that focus on the traditional and more authentic form of silat. Here, the instructors strive to keep the style unaffected by influences from other martial arts and combat disciplines in order to preserve its authenticity as much as possible. These schools often maintain direct contact with the parent school in Indonesia.
The more modern styles of pencak silat focus primarily on the physical element of silat (self-defense techniques, the art form expressed through demonstrations, and the sporting aspect). Influences from other martial arts are not excluded. For example, the use of weapons originating mainly from Chinese martial arts is common.
