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Silat marks_1
  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00001952
    Country Malaysia
    ICH Domain Performing Arts Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe
    Address
    Malaysia, after independence in 1957, begun to show the emergence of Silat throughout the country. Currently, there are 548 registered Silat communities in all 14 States in Malaysia. The mode of distribution of such communities with various names is mainly centered at the State of Selangor, 103 communities, following by the State of Johor 77 communities, State of Perak 69 communities and so on. They communities of Silat are expanding from year to year and cover the whole of Malaysia
Description Silat is a combative art of self-defense and survival rooted from Malay archipelago. It was traced at the early of Langkasuka Kingdom (2nd century CE) till the reign of Melaka (Malaysia) Sultanate era (13th century). Silat has now evolved to become part of social culture and tradition with the appearance of a fine physical and spiritual training. There are many styles of Silat which inspired by the movements of human anatomy, nature and animal in which the name of the Silat would be known, for instance, Silat Harimau (Tiger) inspired by the movement of tiger been creatively forms the art of self-defence and attack by initiating a tiger in positioning one's hands, legs and body texture movement. The imitation in an aesthetic rhythmic motion which actually portray the art of the particular Silat. There a variety of Silat styles. In Malaysia alone, there are more than 150 known Silat styles such as "Seni Silat Gayang Lima" "Seni Silat Pukul Buah" "Silat Gayong", "Silat Bunga", "Silat Melayu", "Silat Cekak", "Silat Pulut' and so on. Silat is a martial arts that consists of bodily, spiritual, intellectual and aesthetic emotional movements. The learning of Silat fosters agility, skill, thoughtful, strategic, bold, confident, diligent, creative and courteous. The names of different types of Silat which identify each of its community is derived from the names of natural elements such as animal, plants or any existent found in the environment of Malay nature itself.
Social and cultural significance Silat teaches its practitioners to achieve a more meaningful purpose of life by doing virtue and abstaining from all the disgraceful traits that can be harmful to the community and in the spiritual and physical aspects. Through basic education, Silat reinforces the socio-cultural Malay practice. Silat is seen as a catalyst for a civilised citizen with a sense of identity and love of the country, unity, mutual respect and self-discipline. The practice of Silat contains the elements of belief, language, customs, arts and history inherited from one generation to the next. The combination of these elements has formed Silat as the core of the Malay identity.
Transmission method Since the occupation of Malaya (now Malaysia), silat has been marginalized from the palaces. Silat Masters consisting of former warriors continued their struggle and established informal Malay Silat institutions and transmitted the teaching and skill from generation to generation. The Malay Silat was originally possessed by warriors since the time of the Langkasuka Kingdom and the splendour of the Malay Sultanate of Melaka. They are noble fighters and law enforcement of justice in military and defence institutions. Nowadays, the practitioners of Silat consist of Master/Guru/Teacher, Jurukaka/assistant/senior student and students regardless of gender, race, age, and background of their formal education. They are Silat practitioners who responsible for maintaining the practice of Silat and the continuation of Silat. They are members of the local community, living in the same vicinity. Masters are responsible for educating every student. The difference between the Jurukaka and the student is that Jurukaka is a senior student who has mastered some knowledge of Silat from his Master. Jurukaka is among the chosen individuals from the students and often has the potential to be a representative of the Master in training other students. Masters are individuals who are believed to have the skills and knowledge of the Silat. The position of a Master in Silat is highly respected. Master become references in the delivery of the Silat lesson and could be one of the community's leader.
Community Nowadays, the practitioners of Silat consist of Master/Guru/Teacher, Jurukaka/assistant/senior student and students regardless of gender, race, age, and background of their formal education. They are Silat practitioners who responsible for maintaining the practice of Silat and the continuation of Silat. They are members of the local community, living in the same vicinity. Masters are responsible for educating every student. The difference between the Jurukaka and the student is that Jurukaka is a senior student who has mastered some knowledge of Silat from his Master. Jurukaka is among the chosen individuals from the students and often has the potential to be a representative of the Master in training other students. Masters are individuals who are believed to have the skills and knowledge of the Silat. The position of a Master in Silat is highly respected. Master become references in the delivery of the Silat lesson and could be one of the community's leader.
Type of UNESCO List Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Incribed year in UNESCO List 2018
Keyword
Information source
The Malaysia Arts Cultural Practitioners Association (MACPA)

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