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

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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 !

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

Silat
you
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to
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and
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versa
and
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than
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200
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Kung
years.
well
the
Chinese
Fu
empire
known
trading
The
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!be
arrivals
as
might
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arts
goods.
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were
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of
Of
the
modified
or
borrowed
constant
course
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with
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attack
some
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and
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Indian
of
from
a
are
elements
fair
their
also
Siam
amount
traders
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to
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elements
that
combat
come
the
fought
along
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with
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them
these
them
is
martial
for
Asian
and
Kuntau
In
Malaysia
Jawa,
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Kuntau
is
tekpi
usually
and
kown
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as
SILAT
Sendeng
KUNTAU.
Silat.
Popular
Malaysian
Kuntau
styles
are
them
is
the
centuries.
bad
in
only
the
times
way
World
Malacca
with
to
solve
War
the
empire
together
pendekars
problem
fought
with
does
the
the
Indonesia.
days
Portuguese,
army
and
of
the
Next
the
Pendekars
Great
Dutch
came
British
and
the
had
Japanese
English
Empire.
afight
lot
Armadas.
of
Unfortunately,
practice
1940's.
The
throughout
We
Dutch
fought
fighting
and
achievements
Inosanto
modern
world's
this
Malaysia
ancient
the
making
deadliest
world
to
in
Malay
meet
,days.
Japanese
positive
to
we
fighting
do
art.
had
and
research
comments
genuine
trained
martial
arts.
and
We
under
martial
arts
about
also
write
under
several
have
artists
books
Silat.
his
world
Silat
like
on
belt,
Asian
famous
Guru.
Shihan
are
late
martial
impressed
With
Shin
martial
Draeger
an
arts.
impressive
artist
with
considered
F.
like
the
came
nature
Guru
records
to
Silat
who
Indonesia
Dan
of
as
travelled
of
combat
one
As
the
complete
situations.
surrounding
unusual
around
shark
by
man!
abest
most
practitioner,
struggling
or
or
effective
art
with
Silat
alien
environment
.with
It
you
combat
is
to
(if
I,Seni
martial
flexible,
believe
possible)
breath
to
your
strategies
and
arts
on
Silat
opponent's
to
land
fight
for
air
him.
is
all,
or
one
fighting
and
the
Using
water.
but
of
disadvantage.
techniques
opponents
itChinese
the
you
is
the
Silat
world's
best
floor
armed
will
for
using
are
,all
fit
most
the
me.
When
with
all
into
concepts
walls
about
(I
complete
one
all
am
this
combat
and
short
adaptations.
happens,
the
and
whatever
fighting
,styles
best
environments
fat
techniques
and
weapon
itDraeger
art.
is
existing
Adapting
slow).
like
It
may
which
having
ever
and
It
things
to
is
not
created
is
athe
a
be
life
Pentjak
,to
Pencak
or
kali
Silat?
The
confused
same.
Silat
actual
world
or
his
combat
as
Pentjak
the
late
practitioners
today.
Pentjak
way
strategies,
Bruce
with
spelling
are
explore
or
Sometimes
the
the
the
is
Lee
the
art
also
four
same.I
used
the
philosophies,
once
spelling
of.
used
terms
art.
by
you
said,
don't
Ilike
the
always
this
can
used
written
`It
Malay
blame
spelling
methods
also
is
before
give
just
by
language
find
the
Shihan
a
him
for
name.
the
shihan
or
spelling
writing
credits
even
word
Draegger
in
Don't
at
Indonesia,
special
like
Silat.
the
for
fuss
for
Penchak
name
his
The
in
his
tips
effort.
over
his
word
Malaysia
of
spelling.
to
books.
their
in
itclaims
do
Pencak
!Shin
old
Pentjak
'constant
Silat.
Don't
texts.
He
The
and
can
Itin
was
get
and
Dutch
the
.could
Pencak
Pencak
be
mixed
foreigner
rest
Pencak
referred
be
Indonesian
of
,East
up
is
classified
Penchak
the
the
is
or
trying
as
Silat
the
Seni
of
Silat.
is
the
used
Pencak
art
by
of
many
Silat
Seni
is
practitioners
Silat
actually
is
the
Indonesian.
art
in
of
Malaysia,
Silat,
However
which
Singapore
carries
pencak
the
and
and
same
Brunei
seni
meaning
to
reflects
describe
as
the
Pencak
their
same
versions
thing.
Silat.

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

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

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

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