Silat martial arts form is profoundly entrenched in the Malay culture. It gradually popularized in Malaysia and soon became a part of their culture and customs. The origins and beginning of this martial arts form are vague and ambiguous. There have been many stories which describe the origin and establishment of this art form, but many believe that it origins from Malaysia. In its early days, Silat was considered to be a royal passion and only kings and prince used to learn this art form for attaining higher authority and power.
Silat martial arts form is regarded as an art for self defense, which helps people in achieving sound health and a strong body. In the past few years, people has shown great interest in learning this martial arts form because of its ability to furnish and endow them with tactics and skill for shielding and guarding themselves from the bad. It is an ancient martial art form.
Even today, Silat martial art has managed to encroach and reach different parts of the world. With establishment of Silat schools and clubs, many people have got a chance to become proficient in this art form and acquire this skill with mastery. With numerous styles and forms, Silat is a very diverse and unique form of martial arts.
People who are very much interested in learning different and numerous martial arts form, can rather become proficient with only Silat because it has a bit of Muay Thai, Kickboxing and even Judo. So, by learning Silat you are indirectly mastering so many other martial arts form as well.
In Malaysia, the Silat martial arts curriculum syllabus is divided into seven levels. Every level then is divided into seven topics or disciplines. The seven levels are divided into 3 elements; Tahap Rendah (Lower Phase which consists of 2 levels) and Tahap Menengah (Medium Phase which consists of 3 levels) and Tahap Tinggi (Higher Phase which consistes of 2 levels).?
Every silat exponents will be mark by bengkung or belt and also a title for every level achieved. Every silat exponents that just started silat class will be given ‘Anak Gelanggang’ or beginner title and will be wearing a white belt. Here is the phase, level, belt and title given in silat curriculum for every achievement made by the silat exponent:
First Lower Phase is known as First Level and will be wearing White Belt. The silat exponent will be given ‘Anak Gelanggang’ or Beginner Silat Exponent title.Second Lower Phase is known as Second Level and will be wearing Blue Belt. The silat exponent will be given ‘Pesilat Remaja’ or First Rank Junior Silat Exponent title.First Medium Phase is known as Third Level and will be wearing Brown Belt. The silat exponent will be given ‘Pesilat Perkasa’ or Second Rank Junior Silat Exponent title.Second Medium Phase is known as Fourth Level and will be wearing Yellow Belt. The silat exponent will be given ‘Pesilat Muda’ or Young Silat Exponent title.Third Medium Phase is known as Fifth Level and will be wearing Green Belt. The silat exponent will be given ‘Pesilat‘ or Silat Exponent title.First Higher Phase is known as Sixth Level and will be wearing Red Belt. The silat exponent will be given ‘Pendekar Muda’ or Junior Warrior title.Second Higher Phase is known as Seventh Level and will be wearing Black Belt. The silat exponent will be given ‘Pendekar’ or Warrior title.
Every Silat exponent that already finished the silat syllabus of learning is pronounced as a Pendekar, and entitles to go for Silat Coaching Course to be a silat guru or instructor. They will be given management, coaching, judiciaries, technical and other skills needed to be recruited as a guru silat. In this division their rank are based on the level of their achievement as a silat coach and silat guru.
The highest rank in silat is known as ‘Pendita’ or minister because of his or her contribution to found and uniform the Silat Martial Arts curriculum. Here are the phase, belt and title given for every silat coach and instructor based on his achievement or contribution in coaching Silat:
First Warrior Phase will be wearing Black belt with one white stripe and will be given ‘Jurulatih Muda’ or Junior Instructor title.Second Warrior Phase will be wearing Black belt with two white stripes and will be given ‘Jurulatih’ or Instructor title.Third Warrior Phase will be wearing Black belt with three white stripes and will be given ‘Jurulatih Kanan’ or Senior Instructor title.Fourth Warrior Phase will be wearing Black belt with four white stripes and will be given ‘Ketua Jurulatih’ or Head Instructor title.First Guru Phase will be wearing Black belt with one yellow stripe and will be given ‘Guru Muda’ or Junior Guru title.Second Guru Phase will be wearing Black belt with two yellow stripes and will be given ‘Guru’ title.Third Guru Phase will be wearing Black belt with three yellow stripes and will be given ‘Guru Kanan’ or Senior Guru title.Fourth Guru Phase will be wearing Black belt with one red stripe and will be given ‘Penolong Guru Utama’ or Grandmaster Assistant title.Fifth Guru Phase will be wearing Black belt with two red stripes and will be given ‘Timbalan Guru Utama’ or Deputy Grandmaster title.Sixth Guru Phase will be wearing Black belt with three red stripes and will be given ‘Guru Utama’ or Grandmaster title.Highest Minister Phase will be wearing Black belt with one gold stripe and will be given ‘Pendita’ or Minister title.
Every silat guru and instructor needs to become a silat coach before the committee awarded the level and title. The silat martial arts curriculum was made to ease the silat exponent to master every topic or discipline from the easiest to the hardest syllabus. With this every silat coach and silat exponent will get benefit from the proper and step-by-step practical self defense training.
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