Pencak silat
Pencak silat (Indonesian pronunciation: [ˈpent͡ʃaʔ ˈsilat]; in Western writings sometimes spelled "pentjak silat" or phonetically as "penchak silat") is an umbrella term for a class of related Indonesian martial arts. In neighbouring countries, the term usually refers to professional competitive silat. It is a full-body fighting form incorporating strikes, grappling, and throwing, in addition to weaponry. Every part of the body is used and subject to attack. Pencak silat was practiced not only for physical defense but also for psychological ends. There are hundreds of different pencak silat styles (aliran) and schools (perguruan) which tend to focus either on strikes, joint manipulation, weaponry, or some combination thereof.
Pencak silat | |
Pencak silat of Silek Minangkabau duel, one of the combatants is using kerambit | |
| Also known as | Pencak silat Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Focus | Self-defense |
| Hardness | Full-contact, semi-contact, light-contact |
| Country of origin | Indonesia |
| Famous practitioners | Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Cecep Arif Rahman |
| Olympic sport | No |
| Traditions of Pencak Silat | |
|---|---|
Two men performing silek lanyah (one style of pencak silat), traditional martial arts of the Minangkabau people in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Silek lanyah is always performed in a muddy paddy field. | |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Criteria | Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship |
| Reference | 1391 |
| Region | Asia and the Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | (14th session) |
| List | Representative List |
| Silek (inc. Silat Harimau), Mancak, Ulu Ambek/Alau Ambek, Sewah, Galuik (West Sumatera); Bepencak (Bangka); Pencé (Banten); Silat (West Java, Special Capitol Region of Jakarta, Banten, Central Java, East Java, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Bali); Penca, Amengan, Ulinan, Maénpo, Usik, Heureuy (West Java); Maen Pukulan (Special Capitol Region of Jakarta); Akeket, Okol, Penthengan (Madura, East Java); Encak, Pencakan (East Java); Pencak (Special Region of Yogyakarta, East Java, Bali); Kuntau (West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan); Langga (Gorontalo), Amanca (South Sulawesi); Pakuttau (West Sulawesi), Mencak, Kuntuh (West Nusa Tenggara). | |
| Highest governing body | International Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF) |
|---|---|
| First played | Indonesia |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | Dependent on type of Pencak silat |
| Team members | Individuals or Team |
| Mixed-sex | Yes |
| Type | Martial art |
| Venue | Fighting arena |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Worldwide, South East Asia primarily |
| Olympic | (Unofficial Sport) |
| World Championships | World Pencak Silat Championships |
The International Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF), or PERSILAT (Persekutuan Pencak Silat Antarabangsa), is the international pencak silat governing organization and the only pencak silat organisation recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia. The organisation was established on 11 March 1980 in Jakarta and consists of the national organisations of Brunei Darussalam (Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan Brunei Darussalam) (PERSIB), Indonesia (Ikatan Pencak Silat Indonesia) (IPSI), Malaysia (Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan) (PESAKA), and Singapore (Persekutuan Silat Singapura) (PERSISI).
Pencak silat is included in the Southeast Asian Games and other region-wide competitions. Pencak silat made its debut in the 1987 Southeast Asian Games and 2018 Asian Games, both held in Indonesia.
Pencak silat was recognized as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity from Indonesia by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) on December 12, 2019.