List of Silat styles
Encyclopedia
This is a list of the styles of silat
. They can be divided into pencak silat
from Indonesia, silat Melayu from the Malay Peninsula, styles from the Philippines and other styles. Because Indonesia was historically made up of separate kingdoms, pencak silat can be further divided into regional categories, notably silek tuo created by the Minangkabau of West Sumatra.
One of the most prominent schools in Bali
, it emphasises functionality and self-defense over competitive sparring.
Bangau putih
White egret style founded in Bogor
in 1952. It is a combination of pencak silat
and kuntao
. The head organisation, Persatuan Gerak Badan (PGB), has branches in Indonesia, North America, the Middle East and Europe.
Cimande
A West Java
nese style founded by Embah Kahir in the 18th century, along with the kera (monkey
), pamachan (tiger
) and stick-fighting styles. Around 300 variations of cimande exist today, and are practiced primarily in villages along the Cimande River.
Harimurti
A traditional style developed in the palace grounds of Yogyakarta. It was first taught outside the palace by RM Harimurti (Raden Rio Tedjonegoro), and the school was formally organised by his student Suko Winadi.
Inti ombak
Based on old styles from Mataram
and Madura
, it focuses equally on internal and external training.
Merpati Putih
White dove or white pigeon style, allegedly founded in 1550. Outside Indonesia, branches exist in the USA and the Netherlands.
Mutiara Panca Rasa
A modern style founded by Bapak Haji Tengku Fuad Alzakiyat Azhar. It is the national silat of Indonesia.
Penca Silat Nampon
A defensive style which mixes self-defense with internal training, founded by Nampon in 1932. It consists of ten steps that focus on redirecting the opponent's attack to leave them open to a counter-attack. The movements are combined with bursts or waves of the senses.
Pencak Silat Padjadjaran
A Sundanese
style from West Java
.
Pencak Silat Pertempuran
A combination of Pencak Silat Pamur and Silat Teralak, with influences from Silat Jati Wisesa and monkey king silat. The name means "combat silat" because of its focus on sparring rather than demonstration.
Perisai Diri
The national silat of Java
founded by Pak Dirdjo. Also known as PD, it combines pencak silat
with Chinese techniques
which Pak Dirdjo learned from Yap Kie San in Parakan.
Pukulan Bongkot
A style based mainly on cimande, Derosemo and Sera silat with some elements of pancha bela.
Pukulan Pencak Silat Serak
Founded by Pak Sera and expanded by Mas Jut. Several regional variations exist.
Silat Bali
The traditional Balinese style, influenced by 15th-century Javanese immigrants.
Silat Wali Songo
A modern style based on traditional techniques centered around the kembangan, similar to the wai khru ram muay
. Includes comprehensive groundwork, strikes, grappling and weapons.
Silek harimau
The Minangkabau tiger style, referred to in standard Indonesian as silat harimau Minangkabau. One of the oldest silat systems in existence, it is also called silek kuching or cat silat. It is unique among other tiger-based styles because practitioners fight while crouched down. This tactic is believed to have been developed to avoid falling or stumbling during battle in West Sumatra
's wet paddy fields.
TADJIMALELA
A Sundanese
style from Bandung, West Java
.
Tapak Suci
A modern system based on Muslim philosophy. It combines several West Java
nese methods with karate
and Chinese martial arts
. It is one of the most well-known schools in Indonesia and the Netherlands today.
One of the oldest,famous and historical silat in Malaysia. A very devastating ancient art of war.
It's also the origin of buah pukul style
Gayong Sri Rama
A traditional style based on the movements of Seri Rama
, the hero of the Ramayana
.
Keris lok-9
An old weapon-based style used by Melakan warriors against Portuguese conquistadors. First taught publicly by Azlan Ghanie in 1997, the school focuses on fighting with the kris
. Training centres around the learning of forms
or lok, of which there are five altogether (the word lok also refers to a curve on the kris
' blade). Two years are required to complete the basic syllabus.
Lian padukan
An offensive style combining the Chinese art of lian or buah pukul and tomoi
. Its main technique is a quick series of punches or chops. Weapons include the tekpi
, stick and Chinese sword. The entire syllabus can be completed in eight months after 4–6 hours of weekly practice.
Lian Yunan
An old offensive style which some believe was taught by Hang Li Po
's bodyguards from Yunnan
. It is characterised by rolling punches or chops thrown in rapid succession.
Seni gayong
A modern system based on the older tiger style called sendi harimau which focuses on joint manipulation. The Gayung Malaysia organisation was among the first silat associations registered in Malaysia, and it is today the most popular style in the country. It is also considered the most "complete" system because it includes strikes, joint manipulation, weapons, and acrobatics. A derivative of seni gayong is practiced by the Malaysian Armed Forces called combat silat or gayong combat.
Seni Gayung Fatani
Originating in Pattani
, Thailand
, it focuses mostly on locking techniques.
Silat angin
Founded by Yap Mat in Kedah
in 1977, the name means wind silat. It combines the weaponry of seni gayong
, the hand strikes of Wing Chun
, the energy drills of yiquan and the elbow and knee attacks of tomoi
.
Silat Cekak
An aggressive style created in Kedah
. Unlike other systems, silat chekak doesn't include evasive side-stepping or dance-like routines and is never performed with musical accompaniment. Instead, it focuses on sparring so students learn to confront hostility directly.
Silat embo
A traditional style from Penang
combing silat and tomoi
with influences of Burmese bando
. It is often mistaken for Muay Thai. Weapons include the chain, knife and tekpi.
Silat Kalimah Panglima Tangkas
A somewhat controversial style purported to have been descended from an older method called Silat Kalimah. This system was supposedly taught exclusively among the Kedah royal family before being opened to the public by the late Pak Yahya Said in 1963. Sceptics who doubt this claim believe that either Pak Yahya Said or his guru founded the style themselves.
Silat kuntau tekpi
A weapon-based style focusing on the tekpi
. It was founded by a panglima (governor-general) of Kedah
in the early 19th century, whose daughter was known as the serikandi Kedah or heroine of Kedah. The syllabus is divided into five levels. The first two levels teach self-defense, the third and fourth introduce the use of weapons while the final level emphasises spiritual and mental development.
Silat Lincah
Originally called silat tarah, the name was changed because it was considered too violent. The word tarah means to sever or cut off while lincah means quick, agile and ever-changing.
Silat Medan
"Battlefield silat", an old weapon-based style said to date back to 14th century Majapahit. Unlike most other systems, it doesn't contain any pre-arranged routines, but relies on sparring with sticks and blunt blades.
Silat Pattani
Also known as silat tua ("old silat"), it was developed by Hindu-Buddhist ascetics and hermits in Pattani
, Thailand
. Traditionally credited as the earliest system of silat Melayu, its age is evident in several aspects. For example, it does not include any preset forms
so students learn techniques mostly through silat pulut and freestyle forms. Unlike later methods, the kris
is considered the least lethal of silat Pattani's five primary weapons. The art contains three main Ramayana routines based on Seri Rama
, Sita Dewi
and Hanuman
in addition to the deer
, snake
, monkey
, bird
, tiger
and nāga
(dragon) styles.
Silat Telapak Nusantara
Supposedly founded by a Muslim scholar named Tuan Sheikh Ali who helped introduce Islam to his homeland of Sumatra. As he gained more experience, his system went through seven major stages of development. The final development, called silat bongsu, is the core of all the other stages and is thus called the mother style. Because Tuan Sheikh Ali's method requires at least seven years of consecutive daily training to master, each level was taught as a separate style until all were re-merged under a single school in Malaysia.
Silat Teralak Asli
One of the most popular styles in Kelantan. It is said to have been founded in 1865 by Ulud Bagindo Chatib in Kamang, West Sumatra
. After spreading to peninsular Malaysia, it was altered by the grandmaster Tuanku Syech Habibullah. Silat teralak is not used in competition but rather for character-building. Thus it is straightforward without aesthetic movements. The footwork uses fast movements designed for self-defense.
A modified variation of the Sera style, designed by the current lineage holder Paul de Thouars.
Bunga Cantik Pencak Silat
"Beautiful flower silat" created in Sacramento, California. The group performs four annual demonstrations statewide. Bunga Cantik Pencak Silat belongs to the Suwanda Academy, the Association of Pencak Silat America, Liahona Warrior Arts, the Napal Pencak Silat Organization and the Indonesian Pencak Silat Society, located in Bali.
Maphilindo Silat
Founded by the Jeet Kune Do master Dan Inosanto
to honour his silat teachers. It is composed of styles from Malaysia (Ma), the Philippines (Phil) and Indonesia (Indo). There are only 18 instructors in the world who are certified in this style.
Pentjak Silat Rante USA
A weapon-based style focusing on the chain (rante), founded in the USA in 1962.
Poekoelan tjimindie tulen
A fusion of pencak silat
and Chinese martial arts
brought to America in 1956 by the Dutch-Eurasion Willy Wetzel as Poekoelan Tjimindie.
Pukulan cimande pusaka
A synthesis of four sources developed by William Sanders. It draws primarily from Poekoelan Tjiminde, Tarik Kolot cimande, combination cimande and an esoteric system of mysticism taught by Untung Surapati. The style is organized around the use of five primary animal techniques - monkey, tiger, snake, crane and dragon. It includes weapons, grappling, fighting while in a grounded position, and fighting multiple opponents. It also incorporates a system of metaphysical development which includes meditations designed to draw the four elements into the body for various combative and spiritual purposes, and the practice of animal spirit possession, in order to aid fighting skill. Mantra and magic circles are used, along with visualization and breathing.
Silat Qutuz
An aggressive modern style made up of nine components.
Silat Sharaf
An aggressive modern style which teaches primarily military/street applications of martial systems that are practiced in many communities around the world, condensed into a concise curriculum. The system includes empty-handed combat, knife play, stick play, gunplay, grappling, joint manipulation, and utilizes the Honor codes of the Bedouin
, specifically Sharaf, and is most similar in application to Silat Cekak. There are also body culture development exercises which help develop the correct body mechanics for close-quarter fighting.
Silat
Silat Melayu is a blanket term for the types of silat created in peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The silat tradition has deep roots in Malay culture and can trace its origin to the dawn of Malay civilization, 2000 years ago...
. They can be divided into pencak silat
Pencak Silat
Pencak silat is an umbrella term for the indigenous martial arts created in Indonesia. The leading organization of pencak silat in Indonesia is IPSI...
from Indonesia, silat Melayu from the Malay Peninsula, styles from the Philippines and other styles. Because Indonesia was historically made up of separate kingdoms, pencak silat can be further divided into regional categories, notably silek tuo created by the Minangkabau of West Sumatra.
Pencak silat
Bakti NegaraBakti Negara
Bakti Negara is a style of pencak silat from Bali, Indonesia. It is firmly rooted in the old Hindu beliefs and philosophies of Indonesia. The words bakti and negara mean devotion and country respectively. Some movements reveal the influence of Balinese dances and performing arts like the Barong dance...
One of the most prominent schools in Bali
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
, it emphasises functionality and self-defense over competitive sparring.
Bangau putih
White egret style founded in Bogor
Bogor
Bogor is a city on the island of Java in the West Java province of Indonesia. The city is located in the center of the Bogor Regency , 60 kilometers south of the Indonesian capital Jakarta...
in 1952. It is a combination of pencak silat
Pencak Silat
Pencak silat is an umbrella term for the indigenous martial arts created in Indonesia. The leading organization of pencak silat in Indonesia is IPSI...
and kuntao
Kuntao
Kuntao or kuntaw is a Hokkien term for martial arts created by the Chinese community of Southeast Asia, particularly the Malay Archipelago. Literally meaning "way of the fist", the word kuntao more accurately translates as fighting art...
. The head organisation, Persatuan Gerak Badan (PGB), has branches in Indonesia, North America, the Middle East and Europe.
Cimande
A West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
nese style founded by Embah Kahir in the 18th century, along with the kera (monkey
Monkey
A monkey is a primate, either an Old World monkey or a New World monkey. There are about 260 known living species of monkey. Many are arboreal, although there are species that live primarily on the ground, such as baboons. Monkeys are generally considered to be intelligent. Unlike apes, monkeys...
), pamachan (tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
) and stick-fighting styles. Around 300 variations of cimande exist today, and are practiced primarily in villages along the Cimande River.
Harimurti
A traditional style developed in the palace grounds of Yogyakarta. It was first taught outside the palace by RM Harimurti (Raden Rio Tedjonegoro), and the school was formally organised by his student Suko Winadi.
Inti ombak
Based on old styles from Mataram
Central Java
Central Java is a province of Indonesia. The administrative capital is Semarang. It is one of six provinces on the island of Java.This province is the province of high Human Development in Indonesia and its Points Development Index countries is equivalent to Lebanon. The province of Central Java...
and Madura
Madura
Madura is an Indonesian island off the northeastern coast of Java. The island comprises an area of approximately 4,250 km². Madura is administered as part of the East Java province. It is separated from Java by the narrow Strait of Madura.-History:...
, it focuses equally on internal and external training.
Merpati Putih
White dove or white pigeon style, allegedly founded in 1550. Outside Indonesia, branches exist in the USA and the Netherlands.
Mutiara Panca Rasa
A modern style founded by Bapak Haji Tengku Fuad Alzakiyat Azhar. It is the national silat of Indonesia.
Penca Silat Nampon
A defensive style which mixes self-defense with internal training, founded by Nampon in 1932. It consists of ten steps that focus on redirecting the opponent's attack to leave them open to a counter-attack. The movements are combined with bursts or waves of the senses.
Pencak Silat Padjadjaran
A Sundanese
Sundanese people
The Sundanese are an ethnic group native to the western part of the Indonesian island of Java. They number approximately 31 million, and are the second most populous of all the nation's ethncities. The Sundanese are predominantly Muslim...
style from West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
.
Pencak Silat Pertempuran
A combination of Pencak Silat Pamur and Silat Teralak, with influences from Silat Jati Wisesa and monkey king silat. The name means "combat silat" because of its focus on sparring rather than demonstration.
Perisai Diri
Perisai Diri
Perisai Diri is a style of pencak silat. The term literally means "shield of oneself".-Origins:The founder of Perisai Diri was Raden Mas Soebandiman Dirdjoatmodjo, better known by his nickname of Pak De. He began practicing pencak silat in his childhood and had experience in several styles such as...
The national silat of Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
founded by Pak Dirdjo. Also known as PD, it combines pencak silat
Pencak Silat
Pencak silat is an umbrella term for the indigenous martial arts created in Indonesia. The leading organization of pencak silat in Indonesia is IPSI...
with Chinese techniques
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
which Pak Dirdjo learned from Yap Kie San in Parakan.
Pukulan Bongkot
A style based mainly on cimande, Derosemo and Sera silat with some elements of pancha bela.
Pukulan Pencak Silat Serak
Founded by Pak Sera and expanded by Mas Jut. Several regional variations exist.
Silat Bali
The traditional Balinese style, influenced by 15th-century Javanese immigrants.
Silat Wali Songo
A modern style based on traditional techniques centered around the kembangan, similar to the wai khru ram muay
Wai khru ram muay
Wai Khru Ram Muay is a warm up activity in Thai culture that is performed by participants in Muay Thai competitions. Wai is an action of Thais to show respect to others by putting the hands together like in prayer. Khru means teacher. Ram means dance in the old Thai traditional style. Muay means...
. Includes comprehensive groundwork, strikes, grappling and weapons.
Silek harimau
The Minangkabau tiger style, referred to in standard Indonesian as silat harimau Minangkabau. One of the oldest silat systems in existence, it is also called silek kuching or cat silat. It is unique among other tiger-based styles because practitioners fight while crouched down. This tactic is believed to have been developed to avoid falling or stumbling during battle in West Sumatra
West Sumatra
West Sumatra is a province of Indonesia. It lies on the west coast of the island Sumatra. It borders the provinces of North Sumatra to the north, Riau and Jambi to the east, and Bengkulu to the southeast. It includes the Mentawai Islands off the coast...
's wet paddy fields.
TADJIMALELA
A Sundanese
Sundanese people
The Sundanese are an ethnic group native to the western part of the Indonesian island of Java. They number approximately 31 million, and are the second most populous of all the nation's ethncities. The Sundanese are predominantly Muslim...
style from Bandung, West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
.
Tapak Suci
A modern system based on Muslim philosophy. It combines several West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
nese methods with karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
and Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
. It is one of the most well-known schools in Indonesia and the Netherlands today.
Silat Melayu
Silat SendengOne of the oldest,famous and historical silat in Malaysia. A very devastating ancient art of war.
It's also the origin of buah pukul style
Gayong Sri Rama
A traditional style based on the movements of Seri Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
, the hero of the Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
.
Keris lok-9
An old weapon-based style used by Melakan warriors against Portuguese conquistadors. First taught publicly by Azlan Ghanie in 1997, the school focuses on fighting with the kris
Kris
The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger or sword nowadays most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia, Southern Thailand and Brunei. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade , but many have...
. Training centres around the learning of forms
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
or lok, of which there are five altogether (the word lok also refers to a curve on the kris
Kris
The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger or sword nowadays most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia, Southern Thailand and Brunei. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade , but many have...
' blade). Two years are required to complete the basic syllabus.
Lian padukan
Lian padukan
Lian padukan is an offensive style of silat Melayu that specialises in close-range striking. It is one of the biggest silat schools in Malaysia and also the most well-known variant of the Hui fighting method known as lian or buah pukul. Because of their shared Yunnan origin, lian padukan is very...
An offensive style combining the Chinese art of lian or buah pukul and tomoi
Tomoi
Tomoi is an unarmed martial art from Malaysia. It is closely related to other Indochinese boxing styles, such as as muay Thai in Thailand, pradal serey in Cambodia, muay Lao in Laos and lethwei in Myanmar....
. Its main technique is a quick series of punches or chops. Weapons include the tekpi
Tekpi
The tekpi is a three-pronged truncheon resembling a sai, from Southeast Asia. The name tekpi comes from Malay, and it is known as chabang in Indonesian and trisoon in Thai. The tekpi is believed to have been derived from the Indian trishula. More than a weapon, it was also important as a...
, stick and Chinese sword. The entire syllabus can be completed in eight months after 4–6 hours of weekly practice.
Lian Yunan
An old offensive style which some believe was taught by Hang Li Po
Hang Li Po
Hang Li Po was the fifth wife of Malaccan Sultan Mansur Shah . It is disputed whether Hang Li Po ever existed since she was never recorded in the Ming Chronicles of the ruling Chinese Ming Dynasty nor in the genealogical record of the imperial house of Zhu, the royal family of the Ming dynasty...
's bodyguards from Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
. It is characterised by rolling punches or chops thrown in rapid succession.
Seni gayong
A modern system based on the older tiger style called sendi harimau which focuses on joint manipulation. The Gayung Malaysia organisation was among the first silat associations registered in Malaysia, and it is today the most popular style in the country. It is also considered the most "complete" system because it includes strikes, joint manipulation, weapons, and acrobatics. A derivative of seni gayong is practiced by the Malaysian Armed Forces called combat silat or gayong combat.
Seni Gayung Fatani
Seni Gayung Fatani
Seni Gayung Fatani is a style of silat from northern Malaysia. Because of its artistic appearance, it is often mistaken for a dance. The steps and hand movements all have combat applications and are meant to lock or disable the opponent...
Originating in Pattani
Pattani
Pattani may refer to* Pattani Province, in southern Thailand* Pattani , in southern Thailand* Pattani , which includes the above province** Pattani Kingdom, a former semi-independent kingdom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, it focuses mostly on locking techniques.
Silat angin
Founded by Yap Mat in Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
in 1977, the name means wind silat. It combines the weaponry of seni gayong
Gayong Malaysia
Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia is the first martial arts association to be registered in Malaysia. It was founded by the late Dato' Meor Abdul Rahman. He started to teach Silat Gayung at Pulau Sudong during the Japanese occupation of Malaya in World War II. The highest ranking master is Siti Kalsom...
, the hand strikes of Wing Chun
Wing Chun
Wing Chun , also romanised as Ving Tsun or Wing Tsun, ; ; is a concept-based Chinese martial art and form of self-defense utilizing both striking and grappling while specializing in close-range combat.The alternative characters 永春 "eternal spring" are also...
, the energy drills of yiquan and the elbow and knee attacks of tomoi
Tomoi
Tomoi is an unarmed martial art from Malaysia. It is closely related to other Indochinese boxing styles, such as as muay Thai in Thailand, pradal serey in Cambodia, muay Lao in Laos and lethwei in Myanmar....
.
Silat Cekak
An aggressive style created in Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
. Unlike other systems, silat chekak doesn't include evasive side-stepping or dance-like routines and is never performed with musical accompaniment. Instead, it focuses on sparring so students learn to confront hostility directly.
Silat embo
A traditional style from Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
combing silat and tomoi
Tomoi
Tomoi is an unarmed martial art from Malaysia. It is closely related to other Indochinese boxing styles, such as as muay Thai in Thailand, pradal serey in Cambodia, muay Lao in Laos and lethwei in Myanmar....
with influences of Burmese bando
Bando
Bando is a defensive style of thaing focusing on animal-based techniques. The earliest meanings of the word were self-discipline, self-development and self-improvement. Later, it came to mean self-protection or self-defense...
. It is often mistaken for Muay Thai. Weapons include the chain, knife and tekpi.
Silat Kalimah Panglima Tangkas
A somewhat controversial style purported to have been descended from an older method called Silat Kalimah. This system was supposedly taught exclusively among the Kedah royal family before being opened to the public by the late Pak Yahya Said in 1963. Sceptics who doubt this claim believe that either Pak Yahya Said or his guru founded the style themselves.
Silat kuntau tekpi
A weapon-based style focusing on the tekpi
Tekpi
The tekpi is a three-pronged truncheon resembling a sai, from Southeast Asia. The name tekpi comes from Malay, and it is known as chabang in Indonesian and trisoon in Thai. The tekpi is believed to have been derived from the Indian trishula. More than a weapon, it was also important as a...
. It was founded by a panglima (governor-general) of Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
in the early 19th century, whose daughter was known as the serikandi Kedah or heroine of Kedah. The syllabus is divided into five levels. The first two levels teach self-defense, the third and fourth introduce the use of weapons while the final level emphasises spiritual and mental development.
Silat Lincah
Originally called silat tarah, the name was changed because it was considered too violent. The word tarah means to sever or cut off while lincah means quick, agile and ever-changing.
Silat Medan
Silat Medan
Silat medan is a weapon-based style of silat Melayu , Malaysia. The word medan means battlefield in Malay. The art is said to trace back to the kingdom of Majapahit, in the 14th and 15th centuries....
"Battlefield silat", an old weapon-based style said to date back to 14th century Majapahit. Unlike most other systems, it doesn't contain any pre-arranged routines, but relies on sparring with sticks and blunt blades.
Silat Pattani
Silat Pattani
Silat Patani is a style of silat originating in the Pattani kingdom, between what is now northern Malaysia and southern Thailand...
Also known as silat tua ("old silat"), it was developed by Hindu-Buddhist ascetics and hermits in Pattani
Pattani
Pattani may refer to* Pattani Province, in southern Thailand* Pattani , in southern Thailand* Pattani , which includes the above province** Pattani Kingdom, a former semi-independent kingdom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Traditionally credited as the earliest system of silat Melayu, its age is evident in several aspects. For example, it does not include any preset forms
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
so students learn techniques mostly through silat pulut and freestyle forms. Unlike later methods, the kris
Kris
The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger or sword nowadays most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia, Southern Thailand and Brunei. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade , but many have...
is considered the least lethal of silat Pattani's five primary weapons. The art contains three main Ramayana routines based on Seri Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
, Sita Dewi
SITA
SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry...
and Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
in addition to the deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, snake
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
, monkey
Monkey
A monkey is a primate, either an Old World monkey or a New World monkey. There are about 260 known living species of monkey. Many are arboreal, although there are species that live primarily on the ground, such as baboons. Monkeys are generally considered to be intelligent. Unlike apes, monkeys...
, bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
, tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
and nāga
Naga
Naga or NAGA may refer to:* Nāga, a group of serpent deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.-People:* Nayan / Nayar/Nair people of Kerala Society* Naga people, a diverse ethnic identity in Northeast India...
(dragon) styles.
Silat Telapak Nusantara
Supposedly founded by a Muslim scholar named Tuan Sheikh Ali who helped introduce Islam to his homeland of Sumatra. As he gained more experience, his system went through seven major stages of development. The final development, called silat bongsu, is the core of all the other stages and is thus called the mother style. Because Tuan Sheikh Ali's method requires at least seven years of consecutive daily training to master, each level was taught as a separate style until all were re-merged under a single school in Malaysia.
Silat Teralak Asli
One of the most popular styles in Kelantan. It is said to have been founded in 1865 by Ulud Bagindo Chatib in Kamang, West Sumatra
West Sumatra
West Sumatra is a province of Indonesia. It lies on the west coast of the island Sumatra. It borders the provinces of North Sumatra to the north, Riau and Jambi to the east, and Bengkulu to the southeast. It includes the Mentawai Islands off the coast...
. After spreading to peninsular Malaysia, it was altered by the grandmaster Tuanku Syech Habibullah. Silat teralak is not used in competition but rather for character-building. Thus it is straightforward without aesthetic movements. The footwork uses fast movements designed for self-defense.
Other styles
Bukti NegaraA modified variation of the Sera style, designed by the current lineage holder Paul de Thouars.
Bunga Cantik Pencak Silat
"Beautiful flower silat" created in Sacramento, California. The group performs four annual demonstrations statewide. Bunga Cantik Pencak Silat belongs to the Suwanda Academy, the Association of Pencak Silat America, Liahona Warrior Arts, the Napal Pencak Silat Organization and the Indonesian Pencak Silat Society, located in Bali.
Maphilindo Silat
Founded by the Jeet Kune Do master Dan Inosanto
Dan Inosanto
Daniel Arca Inosanto is a Filipino-American martial arts instructor from California who is best known as a student of the late Bruce Lee and authority on Jeet Kune Do Concepts.-Martial arts:...
to honour his silat teachers. It is composed of styles from Malaysia (Ma), the Philippines (Phil) and Indonesia (Indo). There are only 18 instructors in the world who are certified in this style.
Pentjak Silat Rante USA
A weapon-based style focusing on the chain (rante), founded in the USA in 1962.
Poekoelan tjimindie tulen
A fusion of pencak silat
Pencak Silat
Pencak silat is an umbrella term for the indigenous martial arts created in Indonesia. The leading organization of pencak silat in Indonesia is IPSI...
and Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
brought to America in 1956 by the Dutch-Eurasion Willy Wetzel as Poekoelan Tjimindie.
Pukulan cimande pusaka
A synthesis of four sources developed by William Sanders. It draws primarily from Poekoelan Tjiminde, Tarik Kolot cimande, combination cimande and an esoteric system of mysticism taught by Untung Surapati. The style is organized around the use of five primary animal techniques - monkey, tiger, snake, crane and dragon. It includes weapons, grappling, fighting while in a grounded position, and fighting multiple opponents. It also incorporates a system of metaphysical development which includes meditations designed to draw the four elements into the body for various combative and spiritual purposes, and the practice of animal spirit possession, in order to aid fighting skill. Mantra and magic circles are used, along with visualization and breathing.
Silat Qutuz
An aggressive modern style made up of nine components.
Silat Sharaf
An aggressive modern style which teaches primarily military/street applications of martial systems that are practiced in many communities around the world, condensed into a concise curriculum. The system includes empty-handed combat, knife play, stick play, gunplay, grappling, joint manipulation, and utilizes the Honor codes of the Bedouin
Honor codes of the Bedouin
Sharaf and ird are Bedouin honor codes. Along with hospitality and courage/bravery, it is one of the Bedouin aspects of ethics that contain significant amounts of pre-Islamic customs...
, specifically Sharaf, and is most similar in application to Silat Cekak. There are also body culture development exercises which help develop the correct body mechanics for close-quarter fighting.
External links
- Silat Main Silat school in Malaysia.
- Video Silat Silat Training Course Online
- Silat Training Centre Top Silat Training Centre in Malaysia
- Pukulan, Pencak Silat and Kuntao Schools
- Bapak O’ong Maryono of KPS Nusantara
- Dharma Nusantara Pencak Silat Australia
- Bapak H. Tengku Fuad Alzakiyat Azhar of PPS.MPR
- Paguron Penca Silat Nampon
- Perguruan Kungfu Trisula Sakti Pusat Malang