Video: Silat, a Martial Art of Malaysia
The most popular martial art of the Malay world, Silat, encompasses a variety of regional disciplines but has also grown into a popular international competitive sport.
Silat is a widely practiced branch of martial arts hailing from the Malay World, most notably the nations of Malaysia and Indonesia. Silat encompasses many different branches and styles based on where it is practiced and who is teaching it. The art is based on martial traditions from regions that can be hundreds of miles apart, each of which share common traits but may appear very different. For example, one common element in Silat is styles based on the movements of animals. These animal-derived styles include tiger, monkey, snake, and crocodile, among others.
Over time, Silat has transformed alongside the philosophies and religions practiced in the Malay World. Like many martial arts, Silat emphasizes mental health just as much as physical. Beyond exercises, it also incorporates musical elements and rituals to promote community and personal harmony. From roots informed by Hinduism and Buddhism, the practice has since embraced Islamic, particularly Sufi, teachings as well. The sport began to formally organize in the 1940s and really hit its stride in the 1970s and 1980s. This is also when the various practices of Silat, while not merging, came together to recognize a standardized version of the sport for competition. More recently, Silat has gained popularity and visibility through televised competitions and action dramas.
This video, courtesy of UNESCO, takes us into the world of Malaysian Silat in particular. It also explores the increasing presence of women in Silat and how the once somewhat secretive practice has entered the global mainstream. So if you’re looking for a new athletic outlet, Silat might be the answer!
References
Grave, Jean-Marc de, and Douglas Farrer. “Silat.” Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation, edited by Thomas Green and Joseph Svinth, ABC-CLIO, 2010, pp. 324–30.
About TOTA
TOTA.world provides cultural information and sharing across the world to help you explore your Family’s Cultural History and create deep connections with the lives and cultures of your ancestors.
