Pencak Silat - the history

Silat tradition passed down through oral and spread from mouth to mouth, are taught from master to student. Because that's a written record of the origin of martial arts is hard to find. In Minangkabau, silat or Silek created by Datuk Suri `s from Pariangan, Tanah Datar, at the foot of Mount Marapi in XI century. Then Silek taken and developed by the nomads Minang throughout Southeast Asia.

Most of the history of martial arts legend is told through a variety from one region to another. Like the origin of martial arts Cimande flow which tells about a woman who witnessed the fight between a tiger and a monkey and he modeled the movement of animals fighting. The origin of martial arts in Indonesia may have evolved from the skills of indigenous tribes of Indonesia in hunting and fighting with machetes, shields, and spears. As is now encountered in the Nias tribe tradition until the 20th century relatively untouched by outside influences.



Silat is expected to spread across the archipelago since the 7th century AD, but its origin has not been established. However, silat is now recognized as a tribe of Malay culture in the broad sense, namely the residents of coastal areas of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, and various other ethnic groups who use the lingua franca of the Malay language in various areas on the islands of Java , Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and others are also developing their own form of traditional martial arts. In Languages Minangkabau, silat was the same as Silek. Sheikh Shamsuddin (2005) argued that there is the influence of martial arts from China and India in the martial arts. In fact not only that. This is understandable because the Malay culture (including Pencak Silat) is an open culture where early Malay culture has to adapt to different cultures brought by traders and immigrants from India, Chinese, Arabic, Turkish, and others. Cultures were then assimilated and adapted to indigenous cultures. So presumably the historical martial arts were born simultaneously with the emergence of Malay culture. Thus, each region generally has a proud martial figures. For example, Malays, especially in the Malay Peninsula believe that Hang Tuah legend from the 14th century is the greatest martial arts warrior. Such a thing also happens in Java, which boasts Gajah Mada.

The development and spread of martial arts have historically started to record when its spread is much influenced by the Ulema, along with the spread of Islam in the 14th century in the archipelago. Historical record is considered authentic in the history of martial arts whose influence can still be seen today. At that time has taught martial arts together with religious instruction at the mosque, mosque. Silat then spreads than just martial arts and folk dance, martial arts education part of the country to face the invaders. Besides, martial arts became part of spiritual practice.

Silat has developed in Indonesia and Malaysia (including Brunei and Singapore) and has the same historical roots as a means of resistance against foreign invaders. After the time of independence, silat martial arts developed into formal. The organization was formed as a national martial art of Pencak Silat Association of Indonesia (IPSI) in Indonesia, the Guild Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia (PESAKA) in Malaysia, Singapore Silat Guild (EXACTLY) in Singapore, and the Guild Silat Brunei Darussalam (PERSIB) in Brunei. Has grown to also dozens of martial arts universities in the United States and Europe. Silat has now formally entered the sport in international matches, particularly competed in the SEA Games.