Historical background

Pencak silat is the collective noun for the martial arts from the Indian archipel. This combat sport is found in all South-east Asia. Pencak silat probably originated in the island of Sumatra. In the old classical era this island was part of a vast and powerful Hindu kingdom. Merchants from China and India travelled to this kingdom to sell their goods. These journeys were dangerous and the goods had to be protected well. This was undertaken by professional warriors and figthing monks. These warriors probably laid the foundation for the contemporary pencak silat. The fact that Indonesia consists of many islands caused the pencak silat to develop in each island in a different way. Movements and positions were adapted to the local situation. Thus each region developed its own style with its own peculiar characteristics. Experts can trace back the origins of a style from the way the movements are made. Initially this type of martial arts was practised only by the nobility and the soldiers. Later, when the Islam introduced itself, the social structure of the society changed and the ordinary people made acquaintance with pencak silat. Daily used agricultural instruments were introduced into this combat sport and so the armament was adapted. Being the colonial power the Dutch forbad the practice of pencak silat, which caused this combat sport to vanish into anonymity. After the independence of Indonesia (1949), its government considered the pencak silat as one of its cultural expressions and the first recognized academies were founded. Next