Traditions of Pencak Silat (Indonesia)
Nomination: Representative List 2019
EN: The social function of Pencak Silat is to strengthen comradeship among school members, maintain social order and provide entertainment for ritual ceremonies.
EN: Pencak Silat moves and style are a unity of body movement (wiraga), movement feeling (wirasa) and movement fit the accompaniment music (wirama). The supporting equipment for Pencak Silat includes costumes, music instruments and traditional weapons.
EN: Every region has assimilated the Pencak Silat traditions with their local culture, such as types of accompaniment music along with the musical instrument, costumes, forms of oral tradition and expressions, weapons, etc. without removing the values of Pencak Silat.
EN: The supporting equipment for Pencak Silat includes costumes, music instrument and traditional weapon.
EN: Knowledge of Pencak Silat values and meanings are shared by coaches or masters. The mental spiritual education process starts immediately once the disciple is accepted to the school.
EN: These practitioners are also trained in various techniques to deal with attacks or other dangerous situations based on principles to protect him or herself as well as others, avoid harming the offender and build comradeship.
EN: Pencak Silat is commonly taught through non-formal education in Pencak Silat schools using methods and traits of transmission that are accustomed to each school.
EN: Pencak Silat can be learned by anyone, both men and women of all ages and nationalities, including the disabled.
EN: Skills particularly related to style and technique are taught to the disciples by example. Several schools also teach disciples on how to adjust styles and techniques according to the accompaniment.
EN: Pencak Silat practitioners are taught to maintain their relationship with God, human beings and nature.
