In Malaysia, seni silat (the art of silat) is one of the martial arts that has been categorized under co-curriculum activity for school uniform activity (Ministry of Education, 1997). In its curriculum, Seni Silat Malaysia teaches self-defence, seni (arts), techniques, combat and also trains exponents for Silat Tempur, Silat Seni and Silat Olahraga.
Seni Silat Malaysia is an original system whose syllabus does not hold techniques taken from other martial art forms or pencak silat styles. The system of Seni Silat Malaysia derived from original arts of war of Seni Silat Melayu (Malay martial arts) known as Seni Gayung Fatani.
Seni Gayung Fatani is the only styles to have truly originated from the Malay Peninsula. It has been acknowledged as a Malaysian heritage martial art and its curriculum has become the basis for the Malaysian Seni Silat Curriculum (Seni Silat Malaysia) practiced all over Malaysia today.
The comprehensive curriculum used ensures clear and concise execution and teaching.
The silat martial arts syllabus was divided into seven topics across seven levels in silat training system. At each level every silat exponent will learn seven topics of self defense moves which are:
1. Bunga (the pillars of silat attacking and defensive positions)
2. Jurus (the art of attack and defense either using weapon or bare hand )
3. Belebat (the techniques of receiving strikes and how to counter it back )
4. Tapak (the step pattern in silat movements)
5. Buah (the fast action of self-defence)
6. Tempur Seni (the art of combat)
7. Tempur Beladiri (the speed and power movements of self-defence combat)
Interestingly, these terms are widely used by other silat schools. For an example the word Bunga Silat also been used by others but with different terms such as Bunga Sembah, Lela Sembah and Kembangan.
Bunga Silat is the key to all silat knowledge which includes the 'langkah' (step), the 'kuda-kuda' (stance) and the 'limbai' (hand position). The Bunga will teach the exponent how to master the defensive and striking position in silat.
The silat syllabus has ascertained that the Jurus is a discipline that develop the striking and defensive skills either single or multiple strikes to the aimed enemy body. With Jurus, the exponent will learn the attack defense in silat movements.
The Belebat in self defense terms means 'Sambut' or to receive the strikes either from single exponent or multiple strikes from multiple exponents. The main objective of Belebat is to develop the self defense moves skills to receive perfectly the opponent strikes and to counter attack effectively back to the opponents, enemies or strikers. It also teaches the students the art of the defensive and counter attack movements in silat training system.
The Tapak is a footprint movement or step-pattern on the floor. This topic mainly trained to develop the ability to efficiently use certain space or room to strike or to counter-attack the enemy strikes. Using the Tapak the students will learn how to destroy their enemy through step pattern movement's analysis.
While, the Buah is the method to strike or to receive strikes in order to counter-attack either with single or multiple opponents. It is one of the main reasons why many experts want to learn Silat due to the effectiveness of the art of self defense in martial arts.
The Tempur Seni is the method of combat sparring but in the soft and graceful art application which consists of Tapak Empat, Lilit and Galah Panjang. Tempur Seni also will use '3 Serang Seni' or 3 types of strikes that based on traditional silat weapon that are; Tikam (stab), Parang (chop) and Tetak (hack or notch). These strikes usually will follow by '7 Sambut Seni' or 7 receiving strikes techniques which are; Tangkap (to catch), Sentak (to pull at or out with a jerk), Kedu (to flex the arm down), Tindih (one on the top of the other), Sisip (to insert), Sagang (to be in silat alert position) and Potong (to counter attack). The students will learn the art of self defense combat while practising this discipline.
The last topic is Tempur Beladiri. It is the opposite of Tempur Seni discipline which is the fast action of combat sparring between two or more silat exponents, enemies or fighters. Normally the students will learn the easy (unarmed self defense) Tempur before the advance (weaponry self defense) version from the white belt to black belt.
All the seven topics will be given orderly by the silat coaches in order to make sure that the students can master the skills from one topic to another topic within the specific time.
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