Silat Seni Gayong The Malay Art Of Self Defense

Silat is a martial art that is recognized as a Malay combative art of fighting and survival and has been acknowledged as a genuine Malay art. Based on the findings of the historical evidence at Borobodur temple and Prambanan temple in Java, we can conclude that this martial art has already existed at Malay Archipelago since 8th century. This unique self defense is said to spread from Riau Archipelago to Minangkabau, Sumatra. In Sumatra, this art of combat is known as Pencak Silat.

Silat is used by the kingdom of Srivijaya (7th century – 14th century) to strengthen his empire. During the reign of Majapahit (13th century – 16th century), silat is said to reached its peak of perfection when the use of weapons are included. From Minangkabau, silat was introduced to the Malay Peninsula through the Land of Malacca. In the era of Malacca Sultanate, Silat was refined into the specialized property of sultans, panglima (general) and pendekar (warriors). Hang Tuah , the father of silat, is said to learn the art of silat from Sang Adi Putera at Gunung Ledang and Sang Persanta Nala at Island of Java (Majapahit).

Silat practitioner must know and understand the philosophy behind this art of self defense to reach the highest level of learning. Formerly, almost all people in Malay Archipelago learn silat, but only some of them who can hold the title of Pendekar. Only those who have high integrity and morals are able to achieve this stage.

Nowadays, we can see hundreds of silat association throughout the world. Each has its own style and distinctive way. But, the general principle of silat can be divided into two, ‘flower and fruit’. Flower is a dance movement that is soft and the purpose is to confuse the opponent. Fruit is steps that are hard, compact and dense to attack the opponent. But there also silat that do not teach flower such as Silat Cekak. The practitioner just has to stand upright and only do the counter when the attack has come really close.

Silat Gayong was brought to Malaysia by a Bugis from Sulawesi Island named Daeng Kuning or also known as Panglima Hitam. He and six of his brothers come to Malay Archipelago and spread their silat teaching to his descendants. Nowadays, we can see the fraction of that knowledge by the existence of various silat gayong universities in Malaysia such as Silat Gayong Patani and Silat Gayong Pesaka. But the most popular one is Persatuan Silat Seni Gayong Malaysia that is founded by Dato Meor Rahman, the grandson of Daeng Kuning and held the title of ‘Mahaguru’. Some of well known Pendekar (Warrior) who practice Silat Gayong are Mat Kilau, Dato Bahaman and Dato Maharaja Lela.