Martial Arts Of The World - Webs

530 Silat
is composed of indigenous silat, jûjutsu, aikidô, karate, boxing, Kôdôkan
Jûdô, and other contemporary systems) proposed an eclectic approach to the
art and launched efforts to add a sporting dimension to silat. On Bali, Perisai
Diri adopted a belt ranking system modeled on those developed for the
Japanese cognate arts (e.g., jûdô). In general, these attempts have met with
only limited success, due largely to resistance by traditional gurus.
Bersilat
On the Malay peninsula the arts labeled silat in Indonesia are grouped under
the label of bersilat. The name bersilat is best translated by breaking it
into its two components: ber (“to do”) and silat (“fighting”). While this is
the most straightforward explanation for the derivation of the name, practitioners
often cite an origin legend focusing on a woman named Bersilat
who learned the art through her dreams. While bersilat is regarded by some
as distinct from Indonesian silat, there is a close relationship between the
two systems, dating from at least the fifteenth century. Like Indonesian
pentjak silat, bersilat manifests almost infinite variation, with each village
or teacher passing along a variant style. Moreover, Malaysian bersilat utilizes
hand and foot strikes, throws and locks, and attacks to vulnerable
points in the body, as is the case with Indonesian silat. Also, a wide range
of traditional Malay and Indonesian weapons are taught. Emphasis on particular
techniques varies from style to style, however.
Bersilat, like pentjak silat, was originally a combat art. Modern bersilat,
however, exists in two forms: silat pulut, a dancelike performance that
may have derived from kuntao (see Southeast Asia), and silat buah, a combat
form not publicly displayed that was probably influenced by Menangkabu
pentjak silat, according to the small body of scholarship devoted to
the art. Oral tradition also gives the art a Sumatran origin. The latter form,
according to most sources, has virtually disappeared in favor of the more
performance-oriented silat pulut. Public performances of bersilat suggest
that in its modern form of silat buah the system lacks combat reality.
Clearly the emphasis in modern bersilat is on physical exercise, performance,
and sport.
Filipino Silat
According to Ronald Harris, silat (in Pilipino, kidlat) means “lightning,”
referring to the speed of execution of the unarmed striking and weapon use
of Filipino silat. As is the case with both Indonesian and Malaysian styles,
the kris is the most commonly used weapon. The Filipino type is often labeled
kuntao-silat.
In the Philippine Archipelago, there are competing claims as to
whether silat is indigenous under Muslim influence or blended with Chi-