|
The principal needs of human being are security and prosperity. To fulfil those needs, men invent and develop various means (techniques) and equipment. The men's inventions concerning the need for security, are physical means and equipment to deal with and overcome many kinds of threats, challenges, obstacles and annoyances. The means are among others the so called kiat-laga and weapon.
Kiat-laga is a fighting tricks, that is, the skill, techniques and methods o defeating or solving any physical threat of another man, which is at the owner's disposal (can be used as the owner's wish). These techniques is then compile into jurus, that is, the technique series of effective physical (body) movement directed to defend or attack the weak part o body and movement of oneself or the opponent, without or with weapon. Its early stage form was very simple, it was an imitation o animal's body movement conformed with human's anatomy. Then it was developed continuously, coinciding with the development of men's culture. The used weapon was also developed in the same way.
The Malay ethnic group people are agrarian society and their social relationship is accomplished through paguyuban (kinship/ Gemeinschaft) system. The social characteristics and social relationship of such a system have shaped the wisdom and way of life which hold the religious values and principles and the people's morality in high esteem.
In accordance with the social system mentioned above, kiat-laga should be used in a responsible way. It can be accomplished if the performer practices self-control. Kiat-laga can only be used for self-defense and accordingly its proper name is kiat-beladiri.
Man has also invented means (techniques) and equipment in different kinds to fulfil his prosperity (welfare), among others by developing kiat-beladiri into artistic and sports forms which can supply physical and mental welfare.
Through their social and cultural development the Malay ethnic group people have absorbed foreign influences into their life, which are in harmony with the religious and moral values and principles they hold in high esteem. Related with that development, the Hindu, Buddha and Islam philosophy have been absorbed and applied to put the wisdom and the way of life of this ethnic people in order.
Then this philosophy is applied in relation with the control of using kiat-beladiri. Since this applied philosophy focuses its attention on the budi pekerti luhur (the noble mind and character or the sublime ethic), so it is called falsafah budi pekerti luhur (the philosophy of noble mind and character).
The control of self-defensive, artistic and sports kiat-beladiri with its philosophy based on the high esteemed religious and moral values and principles as a unity and oneness, is called Pencak Silat.
When the living regions of the Malay ethnic people were under the authority of foreign colonial powers, the education of Pencak Silat which was regarded as a means to grow nationalistic spirit, was restricted and then prohibited. But the educational activities of Pencak Silat went on secretly.
During the Japanese occupation, the colonial Government allowed the people to develop their culture freely in order to get their support for the Japanese warfare against the Allied Powers. At this time, the education of Pencak Silat was conducted again as it was in the beginning and was spread widely.
After the living regions of the Malay ethnic people had been freed from the foreign authorities and then emerged independent countries, the growth and dissemination of Pencak Silat became faster, particularly after the establishment of the national Pencak Silat organization in those countries.
Pencak Silat has also developed and spread outside its original countries, particularly after the founding of Persekutuan Pencak Silat Antarabangsa (PERSILAT).
(Sources : The Treasury of Pencak Silat , Notosoejitno ; Rewritten by Andi Rafiandi) |
