Silat Melayu
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| Silat | |
|---|---|
.JPG/200px-PENDEKAR(jpg).JPG) |
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| Also known as | Gayung, Gayong, Seni Silat, Bergayung |
| Focus | Striking, Locking, Disabling opponent(s) |
| Country of origin | Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore |
| Parenthood | Silat Pulut, Silat Melayu, Gayung Pulut |
| Famous practitioners | Hang Tuah, Tuan Haji Anuar Abd. Wahab AMN, Dato Meor Abdul Rahman, Ustaz Hanafi Hj Ahmad, Datuk Haji Omardin Mauju, etc. |
Silat is an umbrella term for a number of martial art forms originating from the countries of the Malay Archipelago. This art is widely known in Indonesia and Malaysia but can also be found in varying degrees among the Malay-affiliated communities in Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia. The art has also reached Europe, and is especially popular in the Netherlands and France. There are hundreds of aliran (styles) ranging from animalistic to human styles and schools or perguruan
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[edit] Terminology
Terms other than Silat are used in certain regions where it carries a specific or special meaning. For example, the term ‘gayung’ is generally used by the Malay community in the northern region of the Malay Peninsular. The word Gayung more specifically carries the meaning of spiritual practices in that are inherent in Silat. The word ‘pencak’ is more normally used in Indonesia, especially by the Javanese community. It is the name for thousands of styles in and originating from Indonesia. It is believed that the word pencak originates from the word panca or manca which originates from the pronouncement of the Minangkabau which carries the meaning of a Silat curriculum with five or seven langkah or steps. The term ‘kali’ or ‘basilat’ is used by the Philippine Malay community who developed the skill of tongkat (walking cane or staff) weaponry made of wood or cane.[1]
The origins of the word ‘Silat’ itself are uncertain and most hypotheses link it to any similar sounding word. There are two theories which are most widely accepted. One states that Silat may have originally come from sekilat which means "as (fast as) lightning". This may have been used to describe a warrior's movements and was eventually shortened to silat.
Another theory says that it comes from the term ‘Si Elat’ which is the name given to the practitioner where elat carries the meaning of efforts to confuse, deceive, trick the opponent. A similar term, ‘ilat’, means an accident, a misfortune or a calamity.[2]
[edit] History
Silat once played the role of forming the nation’s defence forces since the south east Asian empires of Malay Archipelago like the Langkasuka Malay, Gangga Negara, Champa, Funan, Pattani, Beruas, Minangkabau, Srivijaya, Majapahit, Melaka, Makassar and other kingdoms in the realm of the Malay Archipelago.[3]
Silat had existed in the Cham (Vietnamese Malay) communities approximately 2000 years ago with the discovery of a copper Keris in that region and also drawings on the Borobudur temple in the Javanese region. Commanders of Champa often earned places in and was held in high esteem by the Malay kings for possessing knowledge in silat and for being highly skilled in the art of war. Studies show that silat had a strong presence in the Malay community for 2000 years. The empires of Funan and Champa were two kingdoms that neighbored each other in the same cluster and era. Yet, in the same century, the kingdom of Champa frequently waged wars with China while refusing to submit to China.[4]
Silat was once placed under the protection of the palace, to form the king’s war troops. The Malay kings encouraged princes and children of dignitaries to learn Silat and any other form of knowledge related to the necessities of war. Prominent warriors were elevated to head war troops and received rank and bestowments from the king.[5]
In Sejarah Melayu (Malay History) it is told that Sultan Muhammad Shah had chosen a Cham official as the right hand or senior officer because the Chams possessed skill and knowledge in the administration of the kingdom. [6] Up until the 19th century, history has shown that Silat education continuously expanded and formed Malay leaders of war fighting against colonialists, such as Mat Kilau, Bahaman, Dato’ Sago, Tok Janggut, Raja Haji, Mat Salleh and others. The communist era saw figures such as Kiai Salleh, Kiai Osman, Kiai Samsuddin, and Haji Abbas among others. This means that Silat was not deprived of leaders who continuously invigorated and instilled the spirit of ‘love of country’ and ‘fighting to the last drop of blood’. Those mentioned above are among several names that have gone down in history that fought sincerely for their country. Their eminence has a history of and is closely related to the knowledge of Silat and other such knowledge that allowed them to become effective leaders.[7]
In Malaysia, Silat is not only a necessity in defending one’s self, but is also the symbol of the racial persona and cultural art of the Malay which has become accustomed to the rise and fall of the Malay kingdom through the times and together has endured the trials and tribulations in fighting for and establishing the sovereignty of the Malay race. [8]
Since its disassociation with the palace, Silat did not develop in the national defence institution as it had originally, for approximately 460 years (T.M. 1511-1957). Silat returned to the countryside community and focused on the teaching of the person and the skill of self defense without using weaponry or using one’s body to face an adversary with or without weapons. Silat only continued the training of skill in using traditional weapons such as the keris, sword, sickle, golok, lading, kelewang, tongkat (walking stick/staff), etc. In Silat, a weapon is an object that can be suited to circumstance and need. Silat also plays a role in the effort to contribute to the nation as an alternative to joining the Police or Askar Melayu (Malay soldiers). Wherever they may be, Silat is an inherent knowledge which will help them become good officers and workers who are productive.[9]
Throughout the British occupation in the Tanah Melayu (Malay Regions/Realm), Silat continued to be left out of the national educational curriculum. Silat did not receive a place and be arranged into a subject unlike other subjects such as lessons on exercise, dance, singing, workmanship besides health education, nature education, history, English language, Malay language and arithmetic. Until today, Silat continues to be left out of the national educational curriculum and is only accepted as a uniform corps holding the same status or level as other forms of self defense arts from foreign countries. Although so, Silat continues to be conveyed to the community by means of the ‘gelanggang bangsal’ Silat education system carried out by Silat teachers.[10]
[edit] Aspects
Silat education continuously faces transformation in its role and meaning in the socio-culture of the Indonesian, Malaysian people, relevant to time and the needs of the community. Silat education focuses on the development of the person internally and externally which will enable the formation of a community that embodies discipline, morals, patriotism, self identity and citizenship which can contribute towards the development of thinking and the forces of race, religion and country.
[edit] Combat
A student is first and foremost taught how to defend himself or herself. This is done in stages where the students learn the basics, such as langkah or steps (how to step, where to step) and techniques. Once the student has learned this, they are taught how to attack before being attacked, in self preservation. For that reason, Silat exponents are entrusted to ensure that their knowledge does not fall into the hands of the irresponsible, to use their knowledge confidently and to use or place their knowledge in its rightful place.[11]
[edit] Art Forms
The seni or art form in Silat is an integral part of it as it serves to distinguish one style from another and Silat from all other martial arts. The seni aspect, also known as bunga or tari is the aesthetic form of Silat. It is portrayed through slow, graceful movements performed for aesthetic value but rooted in an essential principal of Silat, which is trickery and deception. Through the performance of seni or bunga, an exponent is able to display his skill or hide it from the opponent in combat. In this sense, the exponent can trick the opponent into letting his guard down or committing blunders, making the opponent easier to defeat.
Despite this, the seni or art form in Silat is not rooted purely in aesthetics as there are certain styles where the seni or bunga holds its own meaning. In this case, the seni takes on a whole new dimension as it is used to practice techniques or stances that can be used in combat against an opponent.
[edit] Spiritual
To create a balanced person, Silat also focuses on the spiritual aspect. The aim of the practitioner is to free oneself of worldly conceptions and realize that our reality is an illusion. This was originally based on the meditative practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Kejawen and local forms of animism which is still evident in the older styles today. The later introduction of Islam into Southeast Asia brought influences of Muslim philosophy while retaining traditional Malay elements such as moksa and the Javanese concept of kebatinan in which the exponent searches for the harmony within themselves. Nowadays, spirituality in silat is largely based on tasawwuf (knowledge of Islamic esoteric teaching). In this way, the exponent learns to respect life and his surroundings and see it as a gift from God.
[edit] Cultural
Silat is essentially, a traditional martial art. It still continues to practice the values and practices carried out by the ancient warriors in their time. these practices extend to include the cultural aspects of Silat, such as clothing and music.
[edit] Clothing
All ethnics and cultures in archipelago has its own silat's clothing. For example here is in Malay tradition, especially in Malaysia. The full dress or clothing of a Malay warrior consists of the tengkolok, baju melayu and samping tied with a bengkung.
- The tengkolok is the traditional Malay headwear which is tied around the head. It has various styles, cloth types and ways of tying determined regionally and by status.
- The baju melayu is the traditional costume for Malay men. The style of the Baju Melayu varies according to the region.
- The samping is a piece of cloth tied around the waist of an exponent and is also part of the traditional Malay dress.
- The bengkung is a cloth belt or sash, tied around the waist of the exponent, on top of the samping, to show the exponent's status, level and also to secure the samping.
[edit] Music
Silat music accompanies all Silat performances.
Traditional Silat music in the Malay Peninsula (Malaysia) is known as gendang baku, muzik silat baku or gendang silat baku. It consists of a gendang ibu (literally, mother drum), gendang anak (literally, child drum), a gong and the serunai which gives the music its distinct sound.
The rhythms and melodies of the music is based on the pace of the game or Silat performance, the song itself and the region. Styles and melodies may differ from region to region. In addition to that, the type of serunai used also differs as there are two types of serunai, a longer one and a shorter one.
[edit] Silat Pulut
Silat is a type of sport which utilizes agility in attacking and defending one’s self [12]. This means that it is a type of traditional sport that which contends two exponents who are highly skilled in their knowledge of self defense whether with or without weaponry. Such a sport is to allow the identification of the best pesilat (silat exponent) or for performance purposes. Thus, this sport of silat or the traditional sport of the people requires skill and agility both mentally and physically.
This sport is held during leisure time, bertamat silat (finishing of one’s instruction in silat), official events, weddings or feasts which include the consumption of pulut (sticky/glutinous rice) accompanied by gendang bersilat. [13]
This sport of silat is frequently associated with the name silat pulut or gayung pulut because each player will receive a gift in the form of a bunga telur with a small lump of pulut. This means among all others, the word Silat in Malay socio-culture is better known as this traditional sport of the people, that is a sport that is able to uphold the ilmu kepahlawanan (values and skills of a warrior or in becoming a warrior) and the Malay art of war in the form of seni rakyat (the people’s art form). Thus, performances of this Silat sport or Silat competitions are accompanied by the rhythm of the pergendangan silat which is now known as the muzik silat baku Malaysia or the silat baku music of Malaysia. [14]
The regard of silat as a performing art or silat pulut follows the portrayal of Silat as a performing art or a sport/game. This meaning of Silat does not touch specifically on Silat educational services or Silat as an ilmu kepahlawanan or Malay art of war. Moreover, at that time Silat had long been disassociated from the palace. Silat did not have the space or the opportunity to develop and advance with the advancements of the defensive system alongside the developments in defensive systems in other countries around the world. This was due to the suppression of martial arts related activities by colonialists, namely the British during their occupation.
Western colonialists like the British introduced western defensive systems by incorporating the police and askar sepoi (soldiers who were local citizens) to handle the nation’s defence which at that time, was receiving opposition from former Malay fighters. Consequently, silat teachers were very cautious in letting Silat become apparent in the community because the colonialists had interpretations and experience in war against Malay warriors. [15] Thus silat pulut was developed as an avenue for pesilat to practice their skills without giving themselves away. The soft, slow, aesthetic and sometimes comical appearance of silat pulut led the colonialists to believe that it was merely a harmless folk game.
Silat was not seen as an educational institution of the kepahlawanan Melayu that would contribute to the shaping of socio-culture through the traditional gelanggang bangsal education system of silat (teaching of silat in a bangsal (shed or barn) as the gelanggang [place where one learns silat]) as how the infamous religious education in the Malay community through the pondok (hut) institution was. In the traditional Malay community, these two institutions contributed largely in the development of the physical and spiritual or the knowledge of life and the afterlife. The combination of the gelanggang bangsal and pondok institutions had formed an albeit deprived traditional Malay community which is able to defend its self, cultural and religious values from alternating colonialists. The education of the pendekar silat way of life which is balanced in each of the aspects of knowledge, practice and Silat skill can form a perfection of life or person. [16]
Despite its harmless and satirical appearance, the sport of Silat or silat pulut was an intricate game of steps and techniques that could be devastating when applied in combat. The slow, soft movements of the pesilat represented attacks made by opponents and techniques used to intercept them. This would go on with both pesilat disabling and counter-attacking their opponent with locking, grappling and other techniques.
[edit] Practices
As Silat is a traditional martial art, there are several inherent practices tied to the practice and learning of Silat. These elements are present in Silat education and transcends style and school.
- Jurus
- A set of movements, made up of strikes, blocks and maneuvers to teach students how to combine movements, langkah, tapak and to practice them in their strikes, blocks and fighting stances (sikap pasang).
- Bunga
- Beladiri
- Beladiri or self-defence is taught by all styles of Silat.
- Tempur
- Tempur basically means a battle, duel or fight between two pesilat but it can also be expanded to mean a battle or fight in general, disregarding the number of participants.
[edit] Weapons
Along with the human body, Silat employs the usage of several martial arts weapons. Among the hundreds of styles are dozens of weapons. Listed here are a few examples;
- Keris: A dagger often with a wavy blade made from folding different types of metal together and then washed in acid, giving the blade its distinct look.
- Pedang/Sundang: A sword, either single or double edged.
- Parang/Golok: A machete/broadsword, commonly used in daily tasks, especially those involving farming or harvesting.
- Lembing/Seligi: A spear/javelin made of either wood or bamboo.
- Kayu/Batang: Stick, staff or rod made of bamboo, steel or wood.
- Tekpi/Chabang: Three-pronged knife thought to derive from the trisula (trident)
- Kerambit: A small claw-like curved blade or dagger worn in the hair. Easily concealed and is known as a woman's weapon.
- Sabit: A sickle, commonly used in farming, cultivation and harvesting of crops.
- Tongkat: A walking stick carried by the elderly or travellers.
- Badek / Badik: Knife with one sided blade. From 20 up to around 40 cm in length.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa PESAKA (2006) [Istilah Silat by Anuar Abd. Wahab]
- ^ Silat Dinobatkan Seni Beladiri Terbaik by Pendita Anuar Abd. Wahab AMN (pg. 42 SENI BELADIRI June 2007, no: 15(119) P 14369/10/2007)
- ^ Thesis: Seni Silat Melayu by Abd Rahman Ismail (USM 2005 matter 188)
- ^ Thesis: Seni Silat Melayu by Abd Rahman Ismail (USM 2005 matter 188)
- ^ Thesis: Seni Silat Melayu by Abd Rahman Ismail (USM 2005 matter 188)
- ^ Sejarah Melayu by A. Samad Ahmad 1996: matter 75
- ^ Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa PESAKA (2006) [Sejarah Silat Melayu by Tn. Hj. Anuar Abd. Wahab]
- ^ Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa PESAKA (2006) [Sejarah Silat Melayu by Tn. Hj. Anuar Abd. Wahab]
- ^ "Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa" PESAKA (2006) [Istilah Silat by Anuar Abd. Wahab]
- ^ Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa PESAKA (2006) [Sejarah Silat Melayu by Tn. Hj. Anuar Abd. Wahab]
- ^ Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa PESAKA (2006) [Istilah Silat by Anuar Abd. Wahab]
- ^ Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Dictionary (Teuku Iskandar 1970)
- ^ Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa PESAKA (2006) [Istilah Silat by Anuar Abd. Wahab]
- ^ Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa PESAKA (2006) [Istilah Silat by Anuar Abd. Wahab]
- ^ Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa PESAKA (2006) [Istilah Silat by Anuar Abd. Wahab]
- ^ Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa PESAKA (2006) [Istilah Silat by Anuar Abd. Wahab]
[edit] References
- Sejarah Silat Melayu by Anuar Abd. Wahab (2006) in "Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa" PESAKA (2006).
- Istilah Silat by Anuar Abd. Wahab (2006) in "Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa" PESAKA (2006).
- Silat Dinobatkan Seni Beladiri Terbaik by Pendita Anuar Abd. Wahab AMN (2007) in SENI BELADIRI (June 2007)
- Silat itu Satu & Sempurna by Pendita Anuar Abd. Wahab AMN (2007) in SENI BELADIRI (September 2007)
