Discipline hub

Silat

Strikes, sweeps, locks and blades in one flowing system – with hundreds of regional styles.

Origin: Malay Archipelago (Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, southern Thailand, the Philippines)
Region: Southeast Asia
Founded: centuries-old; international federation 1980
Category: Hybrid

Silat is the collective name for the martial arts of the Malay world. Hundreds of styles exist, from village systems passed down in families to the sport format pencak silat, organised internationally since the founding of PERSILAT in 1980. UNESCO listed Indonesian pencak silat and Malaysian silat as intangible cultural heritage in 2019. Most styles mix strikes, low sweeps and takedowns, joint locks and weapons, often with a strong cultural and artistic dimension.

Character

Low stances and sweeps: Taking the opponent's base is a core strategy.
Strikes: Open hand, elbows, knees and kicks, frequently from unexpected angles.
Locks and takedowns: Flowing out of a caught limb.
Weapons: Kris, machete (parang/golok), stick and sarong in many systems.

Who is it for?

Anyone who wants an art that is at once practical, athletic and cultural. Sport pencak silat offers competition in fighting and artistic categories; traditional schools focus on self-defence and form. Check which side a school leans towards before joining.