Silat Martial Art Form For Self Defence

Silat Martial Arts Form

Silat is a martial art form famous as Seni Silat, Gayong and Gayung in various places. This martial art is a combination of survival and fighting. Silat originated in Malaysia and Indonesia centuries ago and spread to other parts of South East Asia. Once upon a time, the practice of art was a tradition and social culture in Asian countries. The people practise martial art to form liberation from foreign invasions.

Importance of Silat Martial Art in Daily Life

Since the centuries, this martial art has been incorporated into many new techniques and styles. These changes attracted foreigners to learn for a better living. So that Silat is famed as an international martial art. There are many benefits to learning this art. The learner can not only keep his body stiff but also make his mind sharp. So many Silat training institutions came into force to teach Silat to newcomers. Many students are very interested in learning this martial art for maintaining mental balance and physical fitness.

Silat as Folk Dance

Silat is also treated as other martial arts Karate and Kung fu. However, there is a difference in performance in that Silat is not only a combat form but performed with traditional musical instruments like kendang. For instance, the folk dance-based Silat has been performing till now in the Minangkabau area, Indonesia. Here it is famous as the Minang Kabau folk dance. In the ancient scripts of Malaysia, the Silat was mentioned as Silat pulut. This was one type of dance accompanied by traditional music. Some believe that some other forms had been moulded themselves as Silat martial art in sequent years. In Java province, the dance was accompanied by local musical instruments.

History of Silat Martial art Form

Anyway, Silat has many different forms according to various regions. Even though the theme of the art is the same for strengthening the mind and personality development. The practice of martial art started during the 7th century A.D. all over the Malay Archipelago. There is no proper historical evidence about the origin of the art. However, in the 14th century, Islam started to spread in Malaysia. Spiritual leaders teach the art it preaches. The widespread of Silat martial art attracted the sultans of Malaysia, who adopted the skill to train the soldiers to make them physically and mentally fit to defy the enemies. The legendary figure Hang Tuah modified this art as a famous martial artist, so the Malaysians called him the father of Silat. Now martial art has become a sports game and part of Asian games.