page_title: Pencak silat
section_title: Modern era
hierarchical_section_title: Pencak silat / History / Modern era
caption_attribution_description: English: Pencak silat by Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate (PSHT) at Candi Barong, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Bahasa Indonesia: Pencak silat oleh Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate (PSHT) di Candi Barong, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
context_page_description: Pencak silat is an umbrella term for a class of related Indonesian martial arts. In neighbouring countries the term usually refers to professional competitive silat. It is a full-body fighting form incorporating strikes, grappling and throwing in addition to weaponry. Every part of the body is used and subject to attack. Pencak silat was practiced not only for physical defense but also for psychological ends.
  The leading organization of pencak silat in Indonesia is Ikatan Pencak Silat Indonesia. The liaison body for international pencak silat is the International Pencak Silat Federation or PERSILAT.
  Pencak silat is one of the sports included in the Southeast Asian Games and other region-wide competitions. Pencak silat first made its debut in 1987 Southeast Asian Games and 2018 Asian Games, both were held in Indonesia. The sport is recognized as a piece of intangible world heritage by UNESCO in December, 2019.
context_section_description: Conflict with the European rulers provided an impetus for the proliferation of new styles of pencak silat, now founded on the platform of nationalism and the desire for freedom from colonisation. The Indonesian Pencak Silat Association (IPSI) was founded in 1948 to bring all of Indonesia's pencak silat under a single administration. The world's oldest nationwide silat organisation, its basis is that all pencak silat is built on a common source, and that less functional styles must give way to the technically superior. IPSI has avoided the tendency of modern martial arts that gravitate towards sport. The resistance to sport has lessened over time, however, and sparring in particular has become less combative. While nominally an Indonesian organisation, many of the rules and regulations outlined by IPSI have become the de facto standard for silat competitions worldwide. Indo-Dutch Eurasians who first began practicing pencak silat in the 20th century spread the art to the west in the late 20th century.
  Today pencak silat is one of the extra-curricular activities taught in Indonesian schools. It is included as a combat sport in local, national and international athletic events such as the SEA Games and Indonesia's National Sports Week. Since 2012, the Pencak Malioboro Festival has been held annually and features demonstrations by the biggest silat schools in Indonesia. The art features prominently in the Hollywood blockbuster John Wick 3, with masters Yayan Ruhian and Cecep Arif Rahman appearing against Wick in the penultimate fight.
caption: Pencak silat in front of a Javanese temple.
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