What is Pencak Silat

Pencak Silat is an ancient martial art having its roots in the south east asian areas of Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapur.

Pencak Silat itself comprises a multitude of styles, which are very different depending on the region and ethnical groups where each style originated. Common elements of all syles are smooth movements, elements resembling and influencing traditional dance, but also fighting application as self defense.

Pencak Silat today consists of traditional styles still continuing the ancient roots, but also modern styles, organized around the globe, which are focussing on sports and competition elements.

Smooth movements targeted at redirecting and using the enemy's force are the typical elements of Pencak Silat. Their goal is to make a flowing transition of the movements instead of opposing with a counter-force. Pencak Silat is a system, which trains body and spirit equally and which always consists of four aspects:

1. the mental-spiritual aspect (ethics)
2. the aspect of self-defence
3. the aesthetic and artistic aspect
4. the sports aspect including power, endurance, flexibility and coordination

Many schools focus on different elements in their training, but the above aspects should always be observed.

The people of the Minang Kabau of West Sumatra are said to be one of the founding groups of the martial art of Pencak Silat. According to their history, Pencak means artistic movements of the body for self defence, Silat stands for the real fighting. Characteristic for Pencak Silat is the integration of regional concepts. A style coming from a coastal region is using different, larger postures than a mountain style. It is said, that each region, even each village has its own style, kept secret from foreigners.

In times of oppression Pencak Silat was hidden as a dances to survive, which also greatly influence many traditional dances over the centuries. Today Pencak Silat is shows at celebrations and other festive events in a soft and aesthetic way. Training and presentations are often accompanied by traditional instruments like drums, gongs or flutes.