PENCAK SILAT

Martial arts have played a major role throughout Indonesia's history. The first people, who emigrated to the Indonesian Archipelago, already had self-defense methods. These methods were influenced by combat systems from other Asian cultures. The Minangkabau people of Sumatra developed these systems into a typical Indonesian style and gave them the name Pencak Silat. One of the legends tells of a woman who went to the river to get water. Once there, she saw a fight between a tiger and a large bird. She watched until both animals were killed. When she finally got home and the angry husband wanted to hit her, she avoided that attack in a way she had seen the animals do. It can be seen from this story that some movements in the Pencak Silat derived from the movements of animals.

From the 6th century to ca.1350 AD, the Srivijaya empire exercised its power over most of Indonesia and Malaysia. This vast empire could only be ruled by a large army with excellent fighting skills.

Undoubtedly there was a great influence of Indian and Chinese fighting techniques as the Visayans traveled from India through Burma, Vietnam and were armed and trained in warfare. And since the empire consisted of many vassals with their own kingdoms, internal battles for supremacy were fought. A well-trained army was a must to maintain the king's power.

Airlangga, son of Udaya of Bali, managed to expand his power from his kingdom in Pasuruan and it is under his rule that the Pencak Silat techniques became more formalized. The techniques were refined under the guidance of Ratu Dhoho (from Kediri) and, Ratu Joyoboyo. But the kingdom of Srivijaya was to be replaced by the mighty Mojopahit kingdom. Ken Arok, the first ruler of this empire, was known to travel with Empu Gandring, a wizard who taught him witchcraft and black magic. The Mojopahit keris is said to have the greatest magical powers of all keris.

Pencak Silat was further developed under the Mojopahit dynasty. The elite troops of Gajah Mada are known: the Bayangkara. The Mojopahit Empire was soon as big as the Srivijaya Empire had been.

During the rule of both empires, many temples (such as Borobodur, Prambanan, the temples of Dieng, and many others) were built and many monks from India and China lived and worked in them.

Many of these monks and priests mastered the art of self-defense and were often advisers to the ruling class. They not only advised in matters of the mind but also taught them their martial art skills. These skills were a privilege of the warrior class that refined them. This exclusivity explains the many styles existing within Pencak Silat. In fact, each royal or noble house had its' own 'family style'.

It was not until the 17th century that 'ordinary people' could learn and use these martial arts.

During the Dutch occupation of Indonesia, Pencak Silat was banned and practiced in secret, often disguised as a dance (similar to Capoeira in Brazil).

The primary goal of martial arts is self-defense, also in Pencak Silat. It is an evasive and defensive martial art and therefore the pesilat, a practitioner of the Pencak Silat prefers to wait for the moves of an opponent. However, this is not a requirement, because sometimes the pesilat chooses to attack. A pesilat also takes changing conditions of the climate into account. He/she will never underestimate an opponent who has fallen to the ground, as most practitioners of Pencak Silat have different ground techniques. The body of a pesilat must be very flexible so that he/she can quickly and easily avoid an attack. The frequent alternation of low and high postures also requires exceptional leg strength. Characteristics of the Pencak Silat are the fast punches and kicks, which have the effect of whiplash and are therefore very difficult for an opponent to intercept.

Many different styles have been developed within Pencak Silat. There are 150 different styles with different sub-styles and new styles are still being developed. A distinction is made between classic styles and modern styles.