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Seni
Silat, the Malay Art of Self Defence
is believe to have been introduced into the Malay world in the 15th
century. Seni Silat took two different forms; one is used for
entertainment in a form of dance with graceful movements of the hands and
arms coupled with nimble footwork. The other mean is associated with
self-defence, parrying and dodging plus attacking.
Seni Silat has a lot of aesthetic and highest cultural values. A
person who practice wilat is called pesilat. An expert pesilat is
always alert and aware of his/her surrounding. To achieve these
values, the pesilat shall maintain a pure soul and healthy body.
In the past, knowledge of silat as self-defence was an important
tool. Now Seni Silat is being promoted not only as traditional
past-time but as an element of promoting godliness, loyalty and
self-discipline.
Today, Seni Silat moves has been reconstucted to adapt itself as a martial
art sport, which use the pesilat agility in attacking and defending
himself/herself. During social functions, competitions or practise
sessions, youths meet in the arena to test their skills and abilities in
this unique martial arts. This contest will see two groups competing
against each other in order to find out who is more agile and the best
pesilat.
As a highly discipline art of self-defence, silat consisted of a several
specific rules and regulations. A pesilat cannot hit his or her
opponent with extremely violent techniques: He is forbidden to hit the
opponent's head or cause his songkok (headgear) to fall, for this will
embarrassed the opponent. Those who go against these regulations are
considered ill mannered and considered to be inappropriate to perform in
official functions.
Today, to fit itself among various type of sports, silat has standardised
a set of unique and distinctive rules. If the pesilat do not harm
their opponents and have a good sporting spirit, the interest in the art
of silat as non-violent martial arts sports will certainly develop and
spread widely to the public among the public. Besides that, safety
should be emphasized to instill confidence and to make sure that this art
of self-defence remain to be a sport which everybody can enjoy.
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