ABOUT PENCAK SILAT
Pencak Silat (“SILAT”) is a form of martial arts native to the Indonesian/Malay Archipelago, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.
Pencak Silat plays a significant role in the history and culture of the Indonesian and Malay peoples. Traditionally, Silat was a part of the education of all young people and an integral part of a boy’s journey to maturity.
The combination of the words “Pencak” and “Silat” into a single term first occurred on May 18, 1948. At that time, an organization was established in Surakarta to unite all styles of Pencak and Silat in Indonesia.
Silat employs the natural movements of the body, developing balance and economy of motion in each practitioner. It can be practiced purely for sport and fitness, for the aesthetic beauty of the art, or to explore one of the few remaining comprehensive systems of traditional martial arts in the world.
Silat enhances and strengthens self-awareness, self-discipline, honesty, responsibility, loyalty, and cooperation among its practitioners. Under the guidance of a qualified teacher, it allows students to grow physically, morally, and spiritually.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
The International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT) is the governing body for this martial art. It was established on March 11, 1980. The President of the International Federation, Eddie M. Nalapraya, is responsible for the development and promotion of Silat worldwide.
The Asian Pencak Silat Federation (APSIF) oversees the development and promotion of the sport on the Asian continent. The President is Sheikh Alauddin Yacoob Marican.
The global Pencak Silat organization consists of individual national federations in various countries. These federations establish and manage their own schools and clubs dedicated to Pencak Silat.
In each country where Silat is practiced, there is one organizational body (National Federation) that serves as the representative of the International Pencak Silat Federation.
HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT
In recent years, Pencak Silat has expanded beyond many Southeast Asian countries to include the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, South Africa, France, Japan, and numerous other nations. Since then, Pencak Silat has become a part of life and a means of bringing people together.
Currently, more than 70 countries practice sports Silat. As for traditional Silat, over 140 countries use it for self-defense. The armed forces of several countries incorporate Pencak Silat as a foundation for self-defense training.
Athletes practicing Pencak Silat participate in events such as the Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, Asian Beach Games, World Beach Games, and World Martial Arts Games.
A Pencak Silat World Championship is held every two years. The most recent championship took place in Malaysia in 2022.
An Asian Pencak Silat Championship is also held. The latest championship was hosted in Dubai (UAE), where Kazakhstan was represented by 19 athletes who won 11 medals: 1 gold, 3 silver, and 7 bronze.
