Black Triangle Silat | The Lightning Fast, Bone Crushing Malay Art of War

Thursday, 25 November 2010 22:14

This is an old revived and updated article by my weapons teacher Maha Guru Jak Othman. In
this piece Guru Jak introduces the martial arts community to his ancient family lineage
Javanese fighting system known as Harimau Bernatai Silat (Chained Tiger Silat).

He also notes the various pencak silat styles and their respected teachers being practiced today
around the world. This background information into pencak silat is insightful and should be
considered by all pesilats (silat players).

Sharing knowledge is key to becoming a better prepared fighter and instructor.

—Pendekar Scott McQuaid

The Lightning Fast, Bone Crushing Malay Art of War

By Guru Jak Othman

Silat is often misunderstood as the Indonesian Martial Art. May be this is because most styles of
Silat that reached the foreign shores are from Indonesia. We have the old styles like Harimau
Minangkabau from Sumatra, Cimande from Java. American base Silat body or styles like Serak
from the De Thouars family and Mande Muda by the late Guru Herman Suwanda who had

1/4
Black Triangle Silat | The Lightning Fast, Bone Crushing Malay Art of War
Thursday, 25 November 2010 22:14

taken elements from more then 20 Indonesian Silat styles into his system. We have Maplindo
Silat by Guru Dan Inosanto combining Madjapahit, Indonesia and Philippines Silat styles into his
system. The styles mentioned above are among the famous ones outside the countries of origin
for Silat.

Looking at the countries of origin for Silat in South East Asia, Indonesia has more than 400
styles of Silat registered with the National Silat Federation (Ikatan Pencak Silat Indonesia)
,more than 250 styles likewise in Malaysia (Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia), 20 styles
in Brunei (Persekutuan Silat Brunei) and 25 styles in Singapore (Persekutuan Silat Singapura).
There are also Silat governing body in Mindanao, Philippines and Patani, Southern Thailand
which can also be categorized as countries of origin. The four National Silat Federation from the
countries of origin formed the International Silat Federation (Persekutuan Silat Antarabangsa) or
Persilat for short. Now Silat bodies from more than 25 countries around the world are affiliated
to PERSILAT. Silat is not only Indonesian, but also belongs to the Malays in South East Asia.
As a matter of fact, Silat is the art of war of the ancient Malay empires.

The first Malay empire was Kedah which was situated north on the west coast of the Malay
Peninsula (West Malaysia). The downfall of this first great Malay empire saw the rise of the Sri
Vijaya in Sumatra . Next was the Madjapahit empire in Java. After Madjapahit was Malacca
(Melaka) which was also situated on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Madjapahit and
Malacca empires were so strong that the ancient nations of Burma , Vietnam ,Cambodia,
Philippines and southern Thailand were under them. Being the main centre of trade for the old
India and China route has made the ancient Malay empires the melting pots of Asian cultures.
We have Indian , Chinese , Persians, Okinawa, Japanese and all South East Asian traders
coming to the main cities of our ancient empires to trade their goods. Being popular and rich
also made the Malay empires constant targets to foreign forces attacks . Malacca fought the
Portuguese, Dutch and English for more than 150 years. The Indonesian faced the Dutch until
the day of independence. The Southern Philippines fought the Spaniards and Americans in
some great wars. These foreign forces were well equipped with sophisticated weapons and
vehicles of war. Despite of all these advantages, they had their biggest nightmares when they
faced the pendekar (Malay warriors). The pendekar fought the invaders using the ancient Malay
art of war called SILAT !

2/4
Black Triangle Silat | The Lightning Fast, Bone Crushing Malay Art of War
Thursday, 25 November 2010 22:14

Silat
you
foreign
words
family
had
The
more
arts
Kuntau
In
and
As
the refer
to
is
foreigners
vice
Arts
deadlier
complete and
!the
Malaysia
them
is the
situations.
surrounding
unusual
around
shark
by
Seni
of man!
abest
most
Pentjak
The use
achievements
Inosanto
modern
world's
this often
forces,
When
together
ancient
versa
and
than to
than
Jawa,
centuries.
bad
in
onlythe
Malaysia country
today
times
ancient
the
practitioner,
confused
same.
Silat
actual
world
or
his
combat
as Silat.
isstruggling
Pentjak
the
late oror
,to
the
used bigger
history
related
those
.times
200
Some
effective
art
with
PencakSilat
alienforeign
Kedahyou
.with
Kung
Kuntaw
way
making years.
well
Kuntau
World
Malacca
deadliest
world
towith
into
Malay
meet
environment
Pencak
practitioners
today.
Pentjak
way
strategies,
Bruce
with
or It
spelling
are
exploreyou guns
,days.
combat
is
to
(if
Sometimes
art
bythe
the
the
is
ofLee honor!
will
theof
I,Seni
the
many to
is
solve
War
the
Japanese
positive
towe the
forces
Chinese
Fu
empire
known
martial !be
flexible,
art
Silat believe words
possible)
breath
to
also
four
Senisame.I
used
the yourin
trading
The
We
tekpi ancient
And
the
able
usually
empire
together
fighting
doart.
had
and
research attack
and
pendekars
problem
comments
genuine
trained
strategies
or and
arts
philosophies,
once
spelling
of.
is used
terms
art.
by
youon
Silat
Ilike like
Philippines
arrivals
as
might
were
arts this
to
goods.
Kuntau
kown
fought
martial
arts.
opponent's
kali
said,
don't
theto
land
fight
for
always
this
can
used
practitioners
Silat
actually
is air
him.
is
Silat?
written
the`It understand
Malay
weredeadly,
mean
under
have
of
Kuntau
with
does
and
We
all,
Malay
blameor
oneyour
Of
the
as
the
underthe
martial
arts
fighting
and
the
Using empires
water.
but
spelling
methods
also
isbefore
give
just
byof country
the
!)
modified
or SILAT
about
also
write devastating
borrowed
constant
course
Kuntaw.
Sendeng
Indonesia.
days
under
several
havefight
why
itChinesewith
disadvantage.
techniques
opponents
the
language
find
the
Indonesian.
artin of Shihan
a
him
for you
is
the
Silatwe ,Many
world's
best
name.
the
shihan
Malaysia,
Silat,or floor
armed
spelling
writing which
KUNTAU.
Portuguese,
army andof
artists
books
Silat.
his the
world Ito
attack
some
will
credits
even
word Silat
foram
There
and
had
Silat.
Next
the
Silat
like
on
belt,
using
are
Draegger
in
However
which Don't
at the
Silat
,all
fitor
most
the
me.
Whensure
were
Pendekars
Great
Dutch
came
Asian
famous
Guru.
with
all
Indonesia,
special
like
Silat.
the
Singapore for
carries death
even
Indian
of
from
aare
elements
into
fuss
for fair
their
Popular
Shihan
are late
concepts
walls
about
(I
Penchak
name
his
pencakThe you
described
under
alsosavage
!of
Siam
British
and
the
martial
complete
one
in all
am
histhis
tips AMUK
will
amount
traders
fighting
had
impressed
With
Shin
martial
Draeger
combat
and
effort.
over
his
the
and short 'constant
itclaimsafight
(Thai).We
to
Malaysian
Japanese
English
anEmpire.
arts.
!Shin
adaptations.
happens,
word the
Malaysia
of and
spelling.
to
andbooks.
their
in
same do whateverby
!He
lot
fighting
Pencak
Brunei old using
brought
beof
,styles
best
Pentjak
seni (The
all
some
elements
that
combat
come
Armadas.
impressive
artist
with of
Itin
environments
fat
techniques
Silat.
Don't and
texts.
He
The
and
meaning
to weapon
can
wasget
reflects out
attack
these
American
the
art.
is
and
Dutch
the
.could
describe people.
to
fought
along
South
Kuntauwith
Guru defend
Kuntaw
from
Unfortunately,
considered
F. practice
1940's.
itDraeger
like
the
came nature by
records
Pencak
Pencak
be
mixedto
existing
Adapting
slow).
like
It extreme
their
Thethem
Silat
who
may the
these
,EastBut
them
styles army
Indonesia
foreigner
asrest
Pencak
the Dan
which
having
ever
referred
be of
and
It
Indonesian
of
Pencak
theirup
is is
as your
if
martial
throughout
We Dutch for
Asian
fought and
are
fighting
travelled
of
combat
things
to
is
not
created
is
athe
classified
same Penchak
the
the
is
or a one
be
trying
as life
Silat
the
versions
thing.
Silat.

Kali
Martial
language
river
shape
last
mentioned
They
I am visit
writer
Gayong
one is
Anotherwhen
theories
which
must
moves
do
Since
weapon
not
United
Silat call
highlight
berpencak
Bersilat
is
teachingbereferred
into
instructor.
Lincah. arts
to
(grandmaster)
We of /their
concerned
claimed
my
Manchester.
are
practised
Guru among
also
organization
opened
Cimande
MacDonald. Guru
as Kali
term
that
majority
Isystem
journalist
Kedah
ancient
(malay
Ireland. know
instructors
family has must
the
have
to
aboutyou
whatever
Mindanao,
Arnis
bright
Kingdom
origin
dagger)
Kedah experts.
Harimau
have
Richard
the He
by means
martial
describe
Silat to
this
usedfight.
combative
punish
Jurulatih
in
been be
where
been
silat
in
this Silat
called
in or
empire
Pancasila
taught
Lobo
is
experts
Pusakaone
Sifu Filipino
which
is
(smart).
the
fast
called
England. theEskrima,
a,IHarimau
by Remember
container
origin
with.
practitioner
country
based
that
Ajar
Black
in aand do
river
arts
IGuru
itmost
style found
Malaysian
mini
comes
(Instructor)
the
about
of Pancasila
Steve
De-Bordes
the ajar
who
Pencak not
deadly
Ireland
UK
Malaysia.
Silat.
qualified
by
his
is
Triangle
UK, art
was version
several
can Silat.
(flowing
Jurulatih
behind
Gayong
now
me.
an for
Senihas
(Guru) know
they
usedout
characteristics
Satan.
Beautiful
Silat
of
are this
Chris
Powell
helpedmore
willor
mistake.
roughly
from.
and
Clive However
as
taught
is
So of
environment
that
martial
Silat.know
short
word.
Berantai
it's
articleGayong
respected
Ireland
of
Silat
Silat close
Actually,
heading Liam
have
for
instructor
(Mr
Gayong
Megat
of
Palero the
Silat
and Ilike
bemention
Silat
elusive
Parker.
own
Harimauthan the
meaning
Lightning
by
of
for
Larnder,
Lobo)
by the
promote
from
and Jeet
school more
Mr. ait.
Bersilat
arts
graceful
doors.
Mac
it's
my
never
is from
river).
However,
is itthan
native
translated
Moslem
Harimau
15
Pencak
is
Silat
Seni Unfortunately,
fighting
against
SIKILAT
like was
During
own
Glenn earlier
writers
is
is the
the
qualified
another
Beringin years.
another
pendekar
America.
the in Donaldat
toThis
of
Richard
A
teaching
Ainuddin
Kunethis
USA amartial
do
asthat
is
movements
so
Gurus,
(Malay
Ievil island
very
Kali
Silat
lightning
find
or
fast
representatives
good
taught
Hong 200
Silat
Silat.
students,
Silat
Do the
Lobo'sILincah
famous
style
of famousam
is
Mr.
teaching
Sakti
More
has and
Kong. a isparticular
in
unique
Bersilat
Silat.
to do
!Lloyd
theoneshort
and arts
is
of
when
Filipino
It
representatives
years
example
knife
of 80's
throughout
the
The
sure manIlike
the
version
the,Karl
student
Lobo
but
past
Harimausilat
Sifu
recently to Mindanao,
can
and
art is
visit
for
LIGHTNING
!most
like
once
there
fighting
silat was concept
art
fight
Malaysian
for
not
his Seni
UK air
called
Iqualified
will
in
of
oftime
mentioned
Alex
style
Pendekar
during
representative
Pendekar a
in
family
Pencak
his language,
thefor
or
Malaysian
lightning
You also
the
of of
popular
can
struck
Ireland.
war
promoting
andthis
be
are
Siam and
any
water.
Silat!
be
course).
/SilatSilat,
lightning
is
feel Philippines
of
Tarling
country.
techniques
Fighters
Silat
from
Tanswell
the
student the
of quality
situation.
used
!Ireland fighting
instructors
more
SilatJavanese
Europe
system
William
inMegat
late not
Itbut
Kali
Please
believe
The
anamongSilat.
it's
object
There
Silat
in
(Thailand).
the
Guru will
as Kali
in
presence
the
to
Irepresentative
Gayong,amGurus
pendekar
aare
Malaysia.
style
ofJanuary
80's.
Guru
has By
fromstyle
now
forof research.
nobody
adapt
!To
Sorry,the
by
qualified
Silat
in
March
called
Defence
called
Terawis.
Saunders but
the
This
that
his
Scott During
Berseni
stop
the silat.
American
practitioner
itbe
are
sky. flow
Malay
Nottingham's
Senibefore
England
Mr.promoting
of
This
2001.
Silat
ownis style.
Silat
from
Pancasila
Mahaguru
isSeni
Lobo or
usingknows
When
like
my
take
I2002,
destroys.
old
the
many must
silat
,Penjurit
His
gurus
but
angels
Keris
Silatme
The
Unlimited
the
McQuaid
of
Guru from
the
and
Silat a
inI!
or
you
my
was
style
Pukulan
Liam

3/4
Black Triangle Silat | The Lightning Fast, Bone Crushing Malay Art of War
Thursday, 25 November 2010 22:14

Another
have
in
traditional
Silat
Andit. of
styles
USA The
and
.British
Malaysian
like
Brotherhood
publication
Originally most
Keris
Chinese
toSilat
course
Serak,recent
weLok
organization
silat
Martial
9Triangle
Bukti
isBlackhave
most
published Malay
introductory
master,
Arts
Silat
Negara,
the Jeet
important
in 2001
2010 on and
Association
Guru
from
of
Mande
inkune
Silat Silat
silat
Yeop
Malaysia.
do
Silat...
Guru
2010.Jak Association
into
Muda,who
Ariffin
the
groups is
inUK
Buka
Othman’s is
now
of
inwas
the United
London
a qualified
Jalan
UK by
website. Sifu
and
andKingdom
Now
http://www.jakickboxing.com/Silat.html teaching
Nigel
instructor
Maphlindo
Ireland Sutton
with
Silat
which
updated several
in
Silat
for Haq
of
Lian
Zhong
Melayu.
padukan
silat
practice
website. direct from
exclusive Ding
styles
Silat We
the

4/4