In the so-called “pesantren”, a Hindu-Buddhist monastery, the aristocratic young students were trained in many things, including the fighting arts. Training in the art of fighting was survival training. Martial arts were first and foremost a practical necessity for survival in times of war. The courts of the sultans were often visited by traveling monks who would subsequently exchange knowledge on a variety of subjects, including fighting arts. As warlords, the sultans were responsible for the protection of their domains. Important elements in the early development of Pentjak Silat were the “keratons” (palaces) of the Indonesian sultans. As a result of Indonesia’s wide geographical expanse and diverse local circumstances, many forms or “styles” of Pentjak Silat have developed. From here, Pentjak Silat spread further into Indonesia. These islands are an important crossroads between India and China, and were settled by monks from both countries. According to cultural anthropologists, Pentjak Silat probably first developed among the Minangkabau on Sumatra and the surrounding islands, such as the Riau Archipelago. Little is known about the origin of fighting arts in Indonesia, except what has come down to us in a limited number of government records and legends.

Experts often point to priests and itinerant monks as the first to develop and spread the fighting arts in Asia. The exact source of the Eastern fighting arts is difficult to ascertain. In short, Silat refers to the application of the Pentjak for self-defense.Īll combined, “Pentjak Silat” can be translated as “to fight using specialized body movements”. This could be derived from “Bersilat’ which is formed from the components “Ber” (to do) and “Silat” (to fight). “Silat” literally means “to hit” or “to defend”. In this sense, the term can refer to the exercise itself as a form of gymnastics, which is not by definition intended for self-defense. “Pentjak” is usually explained as “skilful and specialized body movements”.

Opinions vary as to the exact meaning and origin of the terms “Pentjak” and “Silat”, most likely because of the large number of languages spoken in the Indonesian Archipelago. In Indonesia, some 16 million people practice one of the approximately 800 styles of Pentjak Silat, a number of which have spread outside Indonesia in the second half of the 20th century.

As such, it can serve as a development path for those who wish to practice this fighting art. It is a complete system of personal development, with its own philosophy and code of ethics. Pentjak Silat is characterized by graceful execution, distraction of the opponent with threatening moves and rapid surprise attacks.īut Pentjak Silat is more than just a form of self-defense or a fighting art. It is an effective form of self-defense, in which the user employs among others punches, chops, kicks, clamps, leg sweeps and scissors techniques. Pentjak Silat is the martial art of Indonesia.

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