Silat Pattani
Encyclopedia
Silat Patani is a style of silat
originating in the Pattani
kingdom, between what is now northern Malaysia and southern Thailand
. The art is also known as silat tua (old silat) because tradition credits it as the oldest form of Silat Melayu.
guru
), the youngest of three brothers who had been trained as warriors. By their masters' instruction, the brothers were travelling north in the hope of attaining moksa
(enlightenment). On their journey, they were caught up in a bloody battle near the Siamese border. The youngest of the three was wounded but managed to escape into a forest. Following a stream, he reached a waterfall where he stopped to rest. The warrior noticed a lotus flower come down the waterfall but even as it was pushed below the surface by the waterfall, the lotus would float back up completely intact. The warrior tried throwing a stone and then a stick at the lotus, both with the same result. Finally he went into the water and tried slashing at it with his sword but the lotus would only swirl away, still unharmed. The exhausted warrior then fell into the water and upon climbing out, he contemplated how this principle of overcoming the hard with the soft could be applied to battle. Over time he studied the movements of animals and mythical figures which he incorporated into his fighting style. This story is believed to have taken place during the 14th century.
. It also refers to the concept of relativity wherein hard is only harder than something that is softer but is softer than something that is harder. Jantan is represented by hard, fierce, fast actions while betina is slow, subtle and soft. The two opposing forces are dynamic - never in perfect balance but constantly changing from one into the other by leading or following, forcing or flowing. In silat
practice, this means that one force must be met with its opposite. A strong attack may be defended with a soft, evasive response but heavy and powerful actions might be useful against a yielding, subtler opponent. For this reason, fighters must be able to instantly change from strong to gentle. Jantan and betina must also complement each other so that, for example, when the dominant hand is high the other is low or when one palm faces up the other faces down, etc.
(void). The body is a miniature of the cosmos with each element corresponding to one of the body's functions. Water is blood and the bodily fluids; fire is the senses of sight and hearing; earth is the flesh, muscle and bone while wind is the respiratory system. Training the four elements is believed to bring practitioners into alignment with the cosmos. This begins by focusing on one or all of the elements in turn during meditation
. Hand position varies depending on the element but all are done either in the half lotus or preferably the full lotus position
. Element meditation is followed by a string of freestyle techniques reflecting the four elements, performed either seated or while standing. Each element can be explored in infinite manifestations. For example, wind might be a gentle breeze or a tornado. However, the elements tend to be identified with certain qualities. Fire techniques are fast with sudden twists and changes of height. Wind involves jumping movements and acrobatic leaps. Earth is expressed through solid stances and strong attacks. Soft and fluid moves represent water.
styles, Silat Pattani has no pre-arranged forms but instead relies on freestyle sets. Forms which are performed solo are called tari while those done with a partner are called silat pulut. Such training allows for the learning of various techniques and applications without having to teach set moves.
is closely tied to Hindu
-Buddhist philosophy and legend. As with other Southeast Asia
n martial arts
, Silat Pattani contains sets based on characters from the Ramayana (Malay:Hikayat Seri Rama
, Thai:Ramakien
). Called Tari Ramayana, these forms require the practitioner to not only mimic the characters' movements but their mannerisms as well. Three figures are of particular importance in Silat Pattani.
Seri Rama
: Imitates Rama shooting an arrow, searching for it and then retrieving it. This set is characterised by a straight back and confident movements in imitation of Rama's regal bearing. It is often recommended for improving the posture of students who are prone to hunching too much.
Sita Dewi
: Mimics Sita's coyness and femininity. The specialty of this form is a technique where the thumb touches the first two fingers which can be used to block and parry as well as attack. Movements are short and economical, allowing for easy retreat. Attacks are aimed at the vital points. Sita
's style is epitomised by the kerambit, a claw-like knife that Malay women would wear in their hair.
Hanuman
: The monkey king Hanuman is famous for his strength. This set is unpredictable and combines agile leaping escapes with attacks that are both hard and fast. Hanuman's weapon is the gedak (mace).
, the strength of a tiger
and the mystic abilities of a dragon
. Before starting this training, practitioners assume the proper frame of mind by performing movements that embody the respective animal. Silat Pattani contains six animal sets which can be done empty-handed or with weapons. Some animals are emulated in more than one form.
, spear and kris
are the five basic weapons. Unlike later silat
styles which favour the kris
as their main weapon, it is regarded as the least useful weapon in Silat Pattani and is therefore taught last.
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...
originating in the 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...
kingdom, between what is now northern Malaysia and southern 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...
. The art is also known as silat tua (old silat) because tradition credits it as the oldest form of Silat Melayu.
History
Silat Pattani is said to trace back to the pendeta guru (panditaPandita
Paṇḍita is a Sanskrit word meaning learned master. The word pundit is derived from pandit or pandita...
guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
), the youngest of three brothers who had been trained as warriors. By their masters' instruction, the brothers were travelling north in the hope of attaining moksa
Moksha
Within Indian religions, moksha or mukti , literally "release" , is the liberation from samsara and the concomitant suffering involved in being subject to the cycle of repeated death and reincarnation or rebirth.-Origins:It is highly probable that the concept of moksha was first developed in...
(enlightenment). On their journey, they were caught up in a bloody battle near the Siamese border. The youngest of the three was wounded but managed to escape into a forest. Following a stream, he reached a waterfall where he stopped to rest. The warrior noticed a lotus flower come down the waterfall but even as it was pushed below the surface by the waterfall, the lotus would float back up completely intact. The warrior tried throwing a stone and then a stick at the lotus, both with the same result. Finally he went into the water and tried slashing at it with his sword but the lotus would only swirl away, still unharmed. The exhausted warrior then fell into the water and upon climbing out, he contemplated how this principle of overcoming the hard with the soft could be applied to battle. Over time he studied the movements of animals and mythical figures which he incorporated into his fighting style. This story is believed to have taken place during the 14th century.
Jantan Betina
Jantan betina literally means "male-female" and is the Malay concept of opposites, similar to the Chinese yin and yangYin and yang
In Asian philosophy, the concept of yin yang , which is often referred to in the West as "yin and yang", is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other in turn. Opposites thus only...
. It also refers to the concept of relativity wherein hard is only harder than something that is softer but is softer than something that is harder. Jantan is represented by hard, fierce, fast actions while betina is slow, subtle and soft. The two opposing forces are dynamic - never in perfect balance but constantly changing from one into the other by leading or following, forcing or flowing. In silat
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...
practice, this means that one force must be met with its opposite. A strong attack may be defended with a soft, evasive response but heavy and powerful actions might be useful against a yielding, subtler opponent. For this reason, fighters must be able to instantly change from strong to gentle. Jantan and betina must also complement each other so that, for example, when the dominant hand is high the other is low or when one palm faces up the other faces down, etc.
Panchabuta
According to Malay metaphysical theory the universe is composed of five elements (panchabuta): fire, earth, water, wind and the intangible fifth element of angkasaAkasha
Akasha is the Sanskrit word meaning "aether" in both its elemental and metaphysical senses.-Hinduism:...
(void). The body is a miniature of the cosmos with each element corresponding to one of the body's functions. Water is blood and the bodily fluids; fire is the senses of sight and hearing; earth is the flesh, muscle and bone while wind is the respiratory system. Training the four elements is believed to bring practitioners into alignment with the cosmos. This begins by focusing on one or all of the elements in turn during meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
. Hand position varies depending on the element but all are done either in the half lotus or preferably the full lotus position
Lotus position
The Lotus Position is a cross-legged sitting posture originating in meditative practices of ancient India, in which the feet are placed on the opposing thighs. It is an established posture, commonly used for meditation, in the Hindu Yoga and Buddhist contemplative traditions...
. Element meditation is followed by a string of freestyle techniques reflecting the four elements, performed either seated or while standing. Each element can be explored in infinite manifestations. For example, wind might be a gentle breeze or a tornado. However, the elements tend to be identified with certain qualities. Fire techniques are fast with sudden twists and changes of height. Wind involves jumping movements and acrobatic leaps. Earth is expressed through solid stances and strong attacks. Soft and fluid moves represent water.
Forms
Unlike most silatSilat
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...
styles, Silat Pattani has no pre-arranged forms but instead relies on freestyle sets. Forms which are performed solo are called tari while those done with a partner are called silat pulut. Such training allows for the learning of various techniques and applications without having to teach set moves.
Ramayana forms
Having been founded by ascetics, silatSilat
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...
is closely tied to Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
-Buddhist philosophy and legend. As with other Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
n martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
, Silat Pattani contains sets based on characters from the Ramayana (Malay:Hikayat Seri Rama
Hikayat Seri Rama
Hikayat Seri Rama is the Malay literary adaptation of the Hindu Ramayana epic. The main story remains the same as the original Sanskrit version but some aspects of it were slightly modified to a local context such as the spelling and pronunciation of names...
, Thai:Ramakien
Ramakien
The Ramakian is Thailand's national epic, derived from the Hindu epic Ramayana....
). Called Tari Ramayana, these forms require the practitioner to not only mimic the characters' movements but their mannerisms as well. Three figures are of particular importance in Silat Pattani.
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...
: Imitates Rama shooting an arrow, searching for it and then retrieving it. This set is characterised by a straight back and confident movements in imitation of Rama's regal bearing. It is often recommended for improving the posture of students who are prone to hunching too much.
Sita Dewi
SITA
SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry...
: Mimics Sita's coyness and femininity. The specialty of this form is a technique where the thumb touches the first two fingers which can be used to block and parry as well as attack. Movements are short and economical, allowing for easy retreat. Attacks are aimed at the vital points. Sita
SITA
SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry...
's style is epitomised by the kerambit, a claw-like knife that Malay women would wear in their hair.
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...
: The monkey king Hanuman is famous for his strength. This set is unpredictable and combines agile leaping escapes with attacks that are both hard and fast. Hanuman's weapon is the gedak (mace).
Animal forms
One teaching states that a Silat Pattani practitioner should have the agility of a deerDeer
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...
, the strength of a 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 the mystic abilities of a dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
. Before starting this training, practitioners assume the proper frame of mind by performing movements that embody the respective animal. Silat Pattani contains six animal sets which can be done empty-handed or with weapons. Some animals are emulated in more than one form.
| Malay Malay language Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore... | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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... |
Rusa Rusa Deer The Javan Rusa or Sunda Sambar is a deer native to the islands of Java, Bali and Timor in Indonesia... |
The most basic animal form. Used for leaping into or out of attack. |
| 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... |
Kera/Beruk | Follows the speed, agility and spontaneity of a monkey. |
| 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... |
Ular | Features both hard and soft techniques, sometimes practiced with blades to represent fangs. |
| 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... |
Burung | Includes eagle Eagle Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in... (helang), fighter cock (ayam sabung) and crane Crane (bird) Cranes are a family, Gruidae, of large, long-legged and long-necked birds in the order Gruiformes. There are fifteen species of crane in four genera. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back... (jenjang) styles. |
| 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... |
Harimau | Students first learn the limping tiger form named Tok Che Po before progressing to the tiger set proper, which must begin and end with meditation to control the animal's power. |
| Dragon Dragon A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern... |
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... |
The most advanced animal set. Uses limbs to lock the opponent, mimicking a dragon wrapping its body around an adversary. |
Weapons
Practitioners begin weapon training after they've learned the fundamentals of empty handed fighting. The stick, machete, sarongSarong
A sarong or sarung is a large tube or length of fabric, often wrapped around the waist and worn as a kilt by men and as a skirt by women throughout much of South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and on many Pacific islands. The fabric most often has woven plaid or...
, spear and 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...
are the five basic weapons. Unlike later silat
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...
styles which favour 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...
as their main weapon, it is regarded as the least useful weapon in Silat Pattani and is therefore taught last.
- Kayu/ Batang (stick)
- Parang (machete/broadsword)
- Chindai/ Samping (sarongSarongA sarong or sarung is a large tube or length of fabric, often wrapped around the waist and worn as a kilt by men and as a skirt by women throughout much of South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and on many Pacific islands. The fabric most often has woven plaid or...
) - Tombak/ Lembing (spear)
- Kris (dagger)
- Kerambit (tiger-claw knife)
- Gedak (mace)
See also
- Silat Melayu
- TomoiTomoiTomoi 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....
- BandoBandoBando 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...
- BokatorBokatorBokator, or more formally, Labokkatao is a Cambodian martial art that includes close hand-to-hand combat, ground techniques and weapons. Possibly the oldest existing fighting system in Cambodia, oral tradition indicates that bokator or an early form thereof was the close quarter combat system used...
- SilambamSilambamSilambam or silambattam is a weapon-based Dravidian martial art from Tamil Nadu in south India but also practised by the Tamil community of Sri Lanka and Malaysia. In Tamil, the word silambam refers to the bamboo staff which is the main weapon used in this style...
- Wuxingquan
- XingyiquanXingyiquanXingyiquan is one of the major "internal" or Wudang styles of Chinese martial arts. The word translates approximately to "Form/Intention Boxing", or "Shape/Will Boxing", and is characterized by aggressive, seemingly linear movements and explosive power...