Pencak silat, The Heritage Martial Art From Ancestor

The Indonesian ancestors had their own self-defense since centuries ago which was in­tended to protect and pre­serve their life or their group from the beast or natural challenges. They created martial arts by imitating the movement of animals in natural sur­roundings; like the movement of mon­key, tiger, snake, or even hawk. The origins of martial arts in this archipel­ago may also develop from the skills of indigenous in Indonesia during their hunting and fighting time using knives, shields, and spears, such as in the tradition of Nias tribe, which until the 20th century relatively untouched by outside influences.

Nia S. Amira
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Silat was expected to spread in the archipelago since the 7th century BC. Some great empires, such as Sriwijaya and Majapahit mentioned as the em­pires having well-known and skilled full warriors who mastered martial arts and were able to muster the sol­diers who are proficient in martial arts. Silat researcher Donald F. Drae­ger found significant evidence of mar­tial arts than can be seen from various artifacts weapons discovered from classical period (Hindu-Buddhist) and the sculptural reliefs containing the styles of silat horses in Prambanan and Borobudur temples.

Draeger wrote that the weapons and martial arts of silat are insepa­rable, not only in body work, but also in spiritual relations that is closely as­sociated with the culture of Indonesia. Meanwhile Sheikh Shamsuddin (2005) argued that there is a significant influ­ence of martial arts from China and India. This is because since the begin­ning, Malay culture has been influenc­ing by cultures brought by traders and immigrants from India, China, and other foreign countries.

Pencak silat or silat is a traditional martial arts that is originated from Indonesia. Pencak Silat is known as Gayong and Pekak in Malaysia and Singapore, in the southern Philippines called Pasilat, while in Southern Thai­land is called Bersilat.

Pencak silat is a martial arts and sport that requires a lot of concentra­tion. There are some other influences of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. In its development, pencak silat has its typical genre.

In West Java region, Cimande and Cikalong are well-known genre, while in Central Java Merpati Putih, and in East is Perisai Diri. Pencak Silat is a term used since 1948 with the aim of uniting various genres of this tradi­tional martial arts that can be devel­oped in Indonesia. The word of Pen­cak are name used in Java, while Silat is common used in Sumatra, the Ma­lay Peninsula and Kalimantan

Like most boys who adore sport or martial arts, Agil Dawud Karimullah or commonly called Agil was attracted to the martial arts. His cousin who is now the athletic of Pencak Silat in the Province of Jakarta had invited Agil to see him competing and later became the winner, at that time Agil was only 5 years old.

Agil (12) is the youngest of four sib­lings of Bambang Her­wanto and Aswalia. Agil studies in fourth grade at SDN 01 Sreng­seng Sawah Jakarta. Agil who loves pho­tography and blue color has just won the 2nd place of Pen­cak Silat Champion­ships at Elementary Level in South Jakarta area. Agil is currently member of ASAD Padepokan Lenteng South Jakarta and has been giving bril­liant achievements after winning sev­eral times in Pencak Silat competition since 2014 until he became the first champion at Pencak Silat Champion­ship Cup in 2016, prepared by SMI. Agil,the early teens always cheerful when someone takes his picture. Al­most every day this smiling teen likes to eat dumplings.

In its development, Pencak Si­lat now emphasizes the elements of art and the beauty of the movement’s appearance, while silat is the core of teaching martial arts in the fight. Current­ly, Pencak Silat in Indonesia already has hundreds of students in some countries like in Eu­rope and America. Keep practicing this lovely Martial Arts Agil and you will find a true martial arts that can take you flying carrying na­tional identity to the whole world as your dream to become a Pilot, flying through the air like a bird that flies with dashing and flapping its wings in the sky.