Weapons of silat
Encyclopedia
Listed here are the weapons of silat
. The most common are the kris
, spear, machete, stick, kerambit, sickle and sarong
. Edged weapons are given priority in silat, but the stick and sarong are also popular for self-defense. Because Southeast Asian society was traditionally based around agriculture, many of these weapons were originally farming tools.
The badik or badek is a small, straight knife originating among the Makasar and Bugis people. They may be double or single-edged and range in length from twenty to forty centimetres.
Chipan / Jipan
The chipan (also spelled cipan or jipan) is a battle-axe, the weaponised form of the domestic kapak (axe) or beliong (hatchet). Two are sometimes wielded at once, with one in each hand. While the kapak and beliong were originally designed for cutting wood or chopping down trees, they could be improvised as chipan if needed.
Kerambit
The kerambit or gerambi is a narrow-bladed curved weapon resembling the claw of big cats. It is held by inserting the first finger into the hole in the handle, so that the blade curves from the bottom of the fist. Although usually wielded singly they may also be paired. Not only are they difficult to disarm, the kerambit is also easily hidden on account of its compact size. This concealability was the main reason for the weapon's fame. The kerambit was often regarded as a lady's weapon because women would tie them into their hair.
Kris
The kris or keris is a type of dagger, often with a pistol-gripped handle. It is the main weapon of most silat styles. The kris is characterised by its distinctive wavy blade, but originally most of them were straight. The blade is given its characteristic shape by folding different types of metal together and then washing it in acid. Traditional kris were said to be infused with venom during their forging but the method of doing this was a closely guarded secret among blacksmiths. Even a scratch from a poisonous kris might be fatal and a clean hit could reputedly kill a person in seconds, depending on the blacksmith's skill and the type of venom used. The kris is usually wielded on its own but it can also be paired.
Kujang
Kujang is a curved blade native to Sundanese people
of West Java
, Indonesia
. Often used in Pencak Silat
combat in Sundanese style, especially Cimande school.
Parang
The parang is a chopper or cleaver which, like a machete, is used to cut through overgrowth. They may be curved or straight and range in size from small handheld knives to the length of a sword. Because they are so widely available, parang are one of the most popular weapons in silat
. A variant of the parang is the golok
.
Pedang
The pedang is Malay-Indonesian word for "sword". The Indian-style long sword has been introduced in the region since the adoption of Hindu-Buddhist faith as early as 4th century, and was found in the bas reliefs of temples in Java. The 9th century statue of Durga
and Manjusri
in ancient Java art often carrying a sword. According to Sanghyang siksakanda ng karesian
canto XVII dated 1518, pedang and kris were the weapons of ksathriyas (kings, knights and nobles).
Pisau (knife)/ Churiga
Pisau is a generic word for blade. It comes from the Cantonese term peng sau and can refer to a sword or knife, both double or single-edged. The wooden sheaths of most edged weapons can be used for blocking, parrying or striking. Knives, or churiga, can almost always be paired but this isn't always done with swords in silat. The modern word for sword is pedang but this term is ambiguous since it could be translated as scythe. Southeast Asian swords differ considerably from one community to another but they are generally made for one-handed use. Varieties of swords include the pedang jenawi or longsword, the kujang from the Sunda Islands
, the gedubang or Aceh
nese sabre, and the long-handled dap. Java
nese swords were derived from those of India
. Some are straight while others have a "bent" curve. Swords on the Malay Peninsula
are usually one-edged with a slight curve, resembling the Burmese dha
and the Thai sword used in krabi krabong
.
Rencong
The rencong or renchong is a pistol-gripped knife created by the Minangkabau who originated in West Sumatra
. It is popularly known as tumbuk lada (or tumbuak lado in the Minangkabau language
), meaning "pepper crusher". The blade is straight but with a slight curve. In terms of social stature, the rencong is in Minang culture comparable to the kris
in other parts of Maritime Southeast Asia
.
Sabit
/ Celurit
Similar to Japanese Kama
, the sabit is a sickle originally employed when harvesting crops. It may be paired and, like the parang
, it is very popular among silat
practitioners, especially Madurese people of East Java
.
Sundang
The sundang is a sword created by the Bugis
who originated in Sulawesi
. As with the kris
, the sundang usually features a wavy blade, but straight-bladed specimens also exist.
Cakera (also spelled chakra
, chakera or cakra) literally means wheel or disc. In silat
, the word can refer either to energy centres along the body or a circular weapon made of steel. It was based on the chakram
or war-quoit but, unlike its Indian counterpart, the cakera is torus-like rather than flat or sharp. The cakera is often paired and it can either be thrown or wielded as a blunt weapon in close combat.
Gada / Gedak
The gedak is a steel mace, essentially consisting of a sphere connected to a handle. Originally from India
, it is often associated with the monkey god Hanuman
. It is possible to use two gedak at once but, because of their size and weight, this is best suited for larger and more muscular fighters.
Toyak / Tembong
The words toyak, belantan or tembong refers to a cudgel, cane or short stick. Sticks are also commonly called kayu which means literally means wood, though it could be made of any material. The techniques used with the stick could also be applied to similar objects for the purpose of self-defense. Most notable among these is the seruling
or flute played during silat
demonstrations as well as other cultural performances.
Literally meaning stingray
tail, the ekor pari is a whip. Also known as a sauku, it is usually made of rope. Whips were originally used for urging animals forward or punishing criminals, and also as a form of torture. It was carried by wrapping it around the waist underneath the sarong. The whip was said to be popular among female silat
exponents because of its light weight.
Rantai
The rantai is a chain which can be swung or used to lock and seize opponents. It can sometimes be substituted with a length of rope (tali). In some styles, a spearhead is attached to one end of the chain or rope.
The batang or galah is a staff, pole or rod. Silat
exponents regard it as the most versatile of all weapons. They are typically made of bamboo
or wood but some are also made from steel. The word galah refers to the pole used for knocking fruit down from trees or when punting a boat. Staves can also be referred to as tiang, kayu or tongkat, the latter term meaning walking stick. Depending on its shape, the handle of a tongkat may be used to sweep an opponent or catch their weapon. Aside from the staff's shorter variations, some styles also use large, thick poles. A longstaff is called galah panjang.
Chakok
The chakok or golok chakok is a hooked staff or billhook, originally used to prune or lop branches from trees. Its weaponised form is a hook-spear, a polearm combining the head of a hook and spear. This implement was most often used as an elephant-goad. Southeast Asian royals and generals would ride elephant
s either into war or during processions. Every elephant was guarded by one to four handlers, each of whom carried a chakok.
Cangkul
The changkul is a hoe used for loosening and breaking up hard soil, or for drawing up earth around plants. It consists of a sharp-edged, steel rectangle mounted to the end of a pole.
Geranggang / Seligi
The geranggang or seligi is a primitive spear or javelin constructed from a sharpened stick of bamboo
. The difference between the terms is that seligi refers to the dart or spear intended for throwing. Sumatra
ns would make short lances from nibong or sago-wood. Over a period of days or weeks, the sharpened end would be buried in ashes, steamed, smoked and charred. The finished weapon could be thrown or used hand-to-hand, and was said to be able to pierce armour more efficiently than iron.
Penchakar
The penchakar (lit. "scratcher" or "clawer") is a rake, a toothed crossbar connected to the end of a pole. It was originally used by farmers to level, clear, or break up ground and for smoothening loose soil.
Tombak / Lembing
The tombak is a lance while the lembing is a spear. Both terms are often used interchangeably but tombak actually refers to non-missile weapons which are circular at the base of the blade, rather than spatulate. Lembing can be used for either a spear or javelin. Early spears were made entirely of wood. The steel-tipped spear was, along with the kris and shield, one of the main weapons used by soldiers in Maritime Southeast Asia
. The most common type is the tombak benderang
which has red-dyed horse hair attached near the blade. Contrary to the common misconception that it is used to distract the opponent, the horse-hair's true purpose is to prevent the enemy's blood from dripping onto the handle.
Trisula
The trisula is a trident, the weaponised form of the serampang or three-pronged fishing-spear. A related weapon is the lembing tikam pari or three-barbed spear. Asian mythology links the trident with the supernatural, so it is sometimes called tongkat sakti or magic staff.
also (chabang or Tekpi
).
Literally meaning "branch", the tjabang is a iron truncheon with two prongs similar to the Okinawan sai. Called tjabang in Indonesian
and tekpi in Malay
. The origin of the tjabang may have come from the influence of the Hindu
culture on Indonesia between 300A.D. and 400A.D. The Indian trisula is thought to have been the prototype for the tjabang. Tjabang are traditionally paired and can be used in striking, locking or throwing techniques. The two outer prongs are used for trapping the weapon or breaking the opponent's weapon. Among silat practitioners, the tjabang is known as the king of weapons because of its usefulness when defending against blades.
Kipas
The kipas is a folding fan which people used to keep themselves cool in Southeast Asia's tropical heat. Although created in China
(where it is known as tieshan), the fan is common to many Asia
n cultures, as can be seen in traditional Indonesian-Malay dances. As a weapon the fan should be able to open and close easily with one hand, particularly if two are being wielded at once. Usually made of bamboo
, more combat-worthy kipas are constructed from harder wood or iron.
Perisai / Jebang
The perisai is a shield, typically paired with a spear or javelin. Shields in silat
are generally round bucklers made of rattan
. However, the indigenous tribes of Malaysia and Indonesia
commonly wield the jebang, a long hexagonal wooden shield.
Samping / Chindai
The samping is a wearable sarong
usually tied around the waist or draped across one shoulder. Related weapons include the linso or kerchief, and the chindai or Sindh
i waist-sash made of silk
. Students first use it for practicing hand movements but in advanced stages it is applied as a weapon. Samping techniques include locks, grabs and choke-holds. It can also be used to trap the opponent's weapon or attacking limb. The samping is particularly useful against bladed weapons since the wrapped cloth provides some protection from cuts.
The gandewa is a bow, though it is more often referred to as a busar or busur today. It was a common hunting weapon even among the region's aboriginal tribes (orang asal), but was later replaced by the senapang or rifle. The gandewa is very rarely taught in modern silat schools.
Sumpitan
The sumpitan is a blowpipe, a hollow bamboo
tube through which poisonous darts (damak) are shot. It is one of the oldest weapons in the region, having been used as a hunting tool by Proto-Malays since prehistoric times. The blowpipe is also the most popular long-range weapon in silat
and was most often used to kill someone unawares. It typically measures 1.8m long and is made from two pieces of bamboo, one for the barrel and one for the casing. In close combat, it could be wielded as a stick. In Malaysia, the orang asli
are considered the greatest masters of the blowpipe. Tribes such as the Iban
of Sarawak
used a hollow spear which could shoot arrows, thus combining the characteristics of a projectile and hand-to-hand weapon.
The jian is a straight Chinese double-edge sword. It is one of the oldest known weapons to have been adopted from outside Southeast Asia
, and is depicted on bas-reliefs in Srivijaya
dating back more than one thousand years. Because it is lightweight and easily broken, the jian is hardly ever used for blocking. Instead, the fighter must rely on agility to dodge and avoid attacks. In silat, the Chinese sword can be used singly or in a pair.
Katana
The katana is a Japanese sword with a slight curve and a single edge. When it was first brought to Southeast Asia is unclear but the katana became more widely adopted in the region around the time of the Japanese Occupation
. Its application in silat is quite distinct, more reminiscent of krabi krabong
or banshay
than actual kenjutsu
.
Silat
Silat Melayu is a blanket term for the types of silat created in peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The silat tradition has deep roots in Malay culture and can trace its origin to the dawn of Malay civilization, 2000 years ago...
. The most common are the kris
Kris
The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger or sword nowadays most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia, Southern Thailand and Brunei. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade , but many have...
, spear, machete, stick, kerambit, sickle and sarong
Sarong
A sarong or sarung is a large tube or length of fabric, often wrapped around the waist and worn as a kilt by men and as a skirt by women throughout much of South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and on many Pacific islands. The fabric most often has woven plaid or...
. Edged weapons are given priority in silat, but the stick and sarong are also popular for self-defense. Because Southeast Asian society was traditionally based around agriculture, many of these weapons were originally farming tools.
Bladed weapons
BadikThe badik or badek is a small, straight knife originating among the Makasar and Bugis people. They may be double or single-edged and range in length from twenty to forty centimetres.
Chipan / Jipan
The chipan (also spelled cipan or jipan) is a battle-axe, the weaponised form of the domestic kapak (axe) or beliong (hatchet). Two are sometimes wielded at once, with one in each hand. While the kapak and beliong were originally designed for cutting wood or chopping down trees, they could be improvised as chipan if needed.
Kerambit
The kerambit or gerambi is a narrow-bladed curved weapon resembling the claw of big cats. It is held by inserting the first finger into the hole in the handle, so that the blade curves from the bottom of the fist. Although usually wielded singly they may also be paired. Not only are they difficult to disarm, the kerambit is also easily hidden on account of its compact size. This concealability was the main reason for the weapon's fame. The kerambit was often regarded as a lady's weapon because women would tie them into their hair.
Kris
Kris
The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger or sword nowadays most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia, Southern Thailand and Brunei. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade , but many have...
The kris or keris is a type of dagger, often with a pistol-gripped handle. It is the main weapon of most silat styles. The kris is characterised by its distinctive wavy blade, but originally most of them were straight. The blade is given its characteristic shape by folding different types of metal together and then washing it in acid. Traditional kris were said to be infused with venom during their forging but the method of doing this was a closely guarded secret among blacksmiths. Even a scratch from a poisonous kris might be fatal and a clean hit could reputedly kill a person in seconds, depending on the blacksmith's skill and the type of venom used. The kris is usually wielded on its own but it can also be paired.
Kujang
Kujang (weapon)
The kujang is a blade weapon native to the Sundanese people of West Java, Indonesia. According to Sanghyang siksakanda ng karesian canto XVII, kujang was the weapon of farmers and has its roots in agriculture purpose. Kujang is one of the traditional weapon in Sundanese school of Pencak Silat....
Kujang is a curved blade native to Sundanese people
Sundanese people
The Sundanese are an ethnic group native to the western part of the Indonesian island of Java. They number approximately 31 million, and are the second most populous of all the nation's ethncities. The Sundanese are predominantly Muslim...
of West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. Often used in Pencak Silat
Pencak Silat
Pencak silat is an umbrella term for the indigenous martial arts created in Indonesia. The leading organization of pencak silat in Indonesia is IPSI...
combat in Sundanese style, especially Cimande school.
Parang
Parang
Parang is a popular folk music originating out of Trinidad and Tobago, it was brought to Trinidad by Venezuelan migrants who were primarily of Amerindian and African heritage, something which is strongly reflected in the music itself. The word is derived from two Spanish words:'Parranda', meaning...
The parang is a chopper or cleaver which, like a machete, is used to cut through overgrowth. They may be curved or straight and range in size from small handheld knives to the length of a sword. Because they are so widely available, parang are one of the most popular weapons in silat
Silat
Silat Melayu is a blanket term for the types of silat created in peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The silat tradition has deep roots in Malay culture and can trace its origin to the dawn of Malay civilization, 2000 years ago...
. A variant of the parang is the golok
Golok
right|thumb|Golok copying the Martindale No 2 designThe golok is a type of machete or broadsword originating in Southeast Asia. The word golok is of Indonesian origin but is also used in Malaysia and is known as gulok in the Philippines...
.
Pedang
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
The pedang is Malay-Indonesian word for "sword". The Indian-style long sword has been introduced in the region since the adoption of Hindu-Buddhist faith as early as 4th century, and was found in the bas reliefs of temples in Java. The 9th century statue of Durga
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
and Manjusri
Manjusri
Mañjuśrī is a bodhisattva associated with transcendent wisdom in Mahāyāna Buddhism. In Esoteric Buddhism he is also taken as a meditational deity. The Sanskrit name Mañjuśrī can be translated as "Gentle Glory"...
in ancient Java art often carrying a sword. According to Sanghyang siksakanda ng karesian
Sanghyang Siksakanda ng Karesian
Sanghyang siksakanda ng karesian is a didactic text, providing the reader with all kinds of religious and moralistic rules, prescriptions and lessons. The title means something like “Book of rules for the state of resi ”. This texts is preserved in the National Library in Jakarta and identified as...
canto XVII dated 1518, pedang and kris were the weapons of ksathriyas (kings, knights and nobles).
Pisau (knife)/ Churiga
Pisau is a generic word for blade. It comes from the Cantonese term peng sau and can refer to a sword or knife, both double or single-edged. The wooden sheaths of most edged weapons can be used for blocking, parrying or striking. Knives, or churiga, can almost always be paired but this isn't always done with swords in silat. The modern word for sword is pedang but this term is ambiguous since it could be translated as scythe. Southeast Asian swords differ considerably from one community to another but they are generally made for one-handed use. Varieties of swords include the pedang jenawi or longsword, the kujang from the Sunda Islands
Sunda Islands
The Sunda Islands are a group of islands that form part of the Malay archipelago.They are further divided into the Greater Sunda Islands and the Lesser Sunda Islands.-Administration:...
, the gedubang or Aceh
Aceh
Aceh is a special region of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. Its full name is Daerah Istimewa Aceh , Nanggroë Aceh Darussalam and Aceh . Past spellings of its name include Acheh, Atjeh and Achin...
nese sabre, and the long-handled dap. Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
nese swords were derived from those of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Some are straight while others have a "bent" curve. Swords on the Malay Peninsula
Malay Peninsula
The Malay Peninsula or Thai-Malay Peninsula is a peninsula in Southeast Asia. The land mass runs approximately north-south and, at its terminus, is the southern-most point of the Asian mainland...
are usually one-edged with a slight curve, resembling the Burmese dha
Dha (sword)
Dha is the Burmese word for "knife." The term dha is conventionally used refer to a wide variety of knives and swords used by many people across Indochina, especially present-day Myanmar , Thailand, Yunnan, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.-Origins:The broad use and diffusion of the dha across Southeast...
and the Thai sword used in krabi krabong
Krabi Krabong
Krabi krabong is a weapon-based martial art from Thailand. It is closely related to other Southeast Asian fighting styles such as Indonesian-Malay silat, Burmese banshay and the armed component of Cambodian bokator...
.
Rencong
Rencong
A rencong is a traditional weapon from Aceh, Indonesia. It is slightly similar in appearance to a kris. As with krisses, people attribute mystical powers to rencongs. The rencong is still worn during traditional ceremonies....
The rencong or renchong is a pistol-gripped knife created by the Minangkabau who originated in West Sumatra
West Sumatra
West Sumatra is a province of Indonesia. It lies on the west coast of the island Sumatra. It borders the provinces of North Sumatra to the north, Riau and Jambi to the east, and Bengkulu to the southeast. It includes the Mentawai Islands off the coast...
. It is popularly known as tumbuk lada (or tumbuak lado in the Minangkabau language
Minangkabau language
The Minangkabau language is an Austronesian language, spoken by the Minangkabau of West Sumatra, the western part of Riau, South Aceh Regency, the northern part of Bengkulu and Jambi, also in several cities throughout Indonesia by migrated Minangkabau, who often trade or have a restaurant...
), meaning "pepper crusher". The blade is straight but with a slight curve. In terms of social stature, the rencong is in Minang culture comparable to the kris
Kris
The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger or sword nowadays most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia, Southern Thailand and Brunei. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade , but many have...
in other parts of Maritime Southeast Asia
Maritime Southeast Asia
Maritime Southeast Asia refers to the maritime region of Southeast Asia as opposed to mainland Southeast Asia and includes the modern countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, East Timor and Singapore....
.
Sabit
Sickle
A sickle is a hand-held agricultural tool with a variously curved blade typically used for harvesting grain crops or cutting succulent forage chiefly for feeding livestock . Sickles have also been used as weapons, either in their original form or in various derivations.The diversity of sickles that...
/ Celurit
Celurit
Celurit is a sickle with a pronounced crescent-blade patterns and a long handle, used in pencak silat. When compared to the arit, the celurit is slightly larger. The celurit is an arm typical to the Madurese and frequently used by them as well as by the leaders who called themselves Sakera....
Similar to Japanese Kama
Kama (weapon)
The is a traditional Filipino and Japanese farming implement similar to a small scythe used for reaping crops and also employed as a weapon...
, the sabit is a sickle originally employed when harvesting crops. It may be paired and, like the parang
Parang
Parang is a popular folk music originating out of Trinidad and Tobago, it was brought to Trinidad by Venezuelan migrants who were primarily of Amerindian and African heritage, something which is strongly reflected in the music itself. The word is derived from two Spanish words:'Parranda', meaning...
, it is very popular among silat
Silat
Silat Melayu is a blanket term for the types of silat created in peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The silat tradition has deep roots in Malay culture and can trace its origin to the dawn of Malay civilization, 2000 years ago...
practitioners, especially Madurese people of East Java
East Java
East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and islands to its east and to its north East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and...
.
Sundang
The sundang is a sword created by the Bugis
Bugis
The Bugis are the most numerous of the three major linguistic and ethnic groups of South Sulawesi, the southwestern province of Sulawesi, Indonesia's third largest island. Although many Bugis live in the large port cities of Makassar and Parepare, the majority are farmers who grow wet rice on the...
who originated in Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi is one of the four larger Sunda Islands of Indonesia and is situated between Borneo and the Maluku Islands. In Indonesia, only Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua are larger in territory, and only Java and Sumatra have larger Indonesian populations.- Etymology :The Portuguese were the first to...
. As with the kris
Kris
The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger or sword nowadays most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia, Southern Thailand and Brunei. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade , but many have...
, the sundang usually features a wavy blade, but straight-bladed specimens also exist.
Blunt weapons
CakeraCakera (also spelled chakra
Chakra
Chakra is a concept originating in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its name derives from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning" .Chakra is a concept referring to wheel-like vortices...
, chakera or cakra) literally means wheel or disc. In silat
Silat
Silat Melayu is a blanket term for the types of silat created in peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The silat tradition has deep roots in Malay culture and can trace its origin to the dawn of Malay civilization, 2000 years ago...
, the word can refer either to energy centres along the body or a circular weapon made of steel. It was based on the chakram
Chakram
The chakram , sometimes called a war quoit, is a throwing weapon from India. Its shape is of a flat metal hoop with a sharp outer edge from in diameter...
or war-quoit but, unlike its Indian counterpart, the cakera is torus-like rather than flat or sharp. The cakera is often paired and it can either be thrown or wielded as a blunt weapon in close combat.
Gada / Gedak
The gedak is a steel mace, essentially consisting of a sphere connected to a handle. Originally from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, it is often associated with the monkey god Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
. It is possible to use two gedak at once but, because of their size and weight, this is best suited for larger and more muscular fighters.
Toyak / Tembong
The words toyak, belantan or tembong refers to a cudgel, cane or short stick. Sticks are also commonly called kayu which means literally means wood, though it could be made of any material. The techniques used with the stick could also be applied to similar objects for the purpose of self-defense. Most notable among these is the seruling
Sralai
The sralai is a wind instrument used in the pinpeat of Cambodia. Its quadruple reed is made of palm leaf, and its body has a slightly conical bore. Its cousin, the Western oboe, has a double reed and a conical bore. The pinpeat instruments tune to the sralai's pitch, and the player must learn...
or flute played during silat
Silat
Silat Melayu is a blanket term for the types of silat created in peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The silat tradition has deep roots in Malay culture and can trace its origin to the dawn of Malay civilization, 2000 years ago...
demonstrations as well as other cultural performances.
Flail weapons
Ekor pariLiterally meaning stingray
Stingray
The stingrays are a group of rays, which are cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. They are classified in the suborder Myliobatoidei of the order Myliobatiformes, and consist of eight families: Hexatrygonidae , Plesiobatidae , Urolophidae , Urotrygonidae , Dasyatidae , Potamotrygonidae The...
tail, the ekor pari is a whip. Also known as a sauku, it is usually made of rope. Whips were originally used for urging animals forward or punishing criminals, and also as a form of torture. It was carried by wrapping it around the waist underneath the sarong. The whip was said to be popular among female silat
Silat
Silat Melayu is a blanket term for the types of silat created in peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The silat tradition has deep roots in Malay culture and can trace its origin to the dawn of Malay civilization, 2000 years ago...
exponents because of its light weight.
Rantai
The rantai is a chain which can be swung or used to lock and seize opponents. It can sometimes be substituted with a length of rope (tali). In some styles, a spearhead is attached to one end of the chain or rope.
Long weapons
Batang / TongkatThe batang or galah is a staff, pole or rod. Silat
Silat
Silat Melayu is a blanket term for the types of silat created in peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The silat tradition has deep roots in Malay culture and can trace its origin to the dawn of Malay civilization, 2000 years ago...
exponents regard it as the most versatile of all weapons. They are typically made of bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
or wood but some are also made from steel. The word galah refers to the pole used for knocking fruit down from trees or when punting a boat. Staves can also be referred to as tiang, kayu or tongkat, the latter term meaning walking stick. Depending on its shape, the handle of a tongkat may be used to sweep an opponent or catch their weapon. Aside from the staff's shorter variations, some styles also use large, thick poles. A longstaff is called galah panjang.
Chakok
The chakok or golok chakok is a hooked staff or billhook, originally used to prune or lop branches from trees. Its weaponised form is a hook-spear, a polearm combining the head of a hook and spear. This implement was most often used as an elephant-goad. Southeast Asian royals and generals would ride elephant
Elephant
Elephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
s either into war or during processions. Every elephant was guarded by one to four handlers, each of whom carried a chakok.
Cangkul
Kuwa
The Kuwa is one of the many Okinawan weapons, in this case based on a hoe.-External links:*http://www.okinawanweapons.com/kuwa.html*http://www.ikigaiway.com/2009/kuwa-okinawan-hoe-and-tool-of-self-defense/...
The changkul is a hoe used for loosening and breaking up hard soil, or for drawing up earth around plants. It consists of a sharp-edged, steel rectangle mounted to the end of a pole.
Geranggang / Seligi
The geranggang or seligi is a primitive spear or javelin constructed from a sharpened stick of bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
. The difference between the terms is that seligi refers to the dart or spear intended for throwing. Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
ns would make short lances from nibong or sago-wood. Over a period of days or weeks, the sharpened end would be buried in ashes, steamed, smoked and charred. The finished weapon could be thrown or used hand-to-hand, and was said to be able to pierce armour more efficiently than iron.
Penchakar
The penchakar (lit. "scratcher" or "clawer") is a rake, a toothed crossbar connected to the end of a pole. It was originally used by farmers to level, clear, or break up ground and for smoothening loose soil.
Tombak / Lembing
The tombak is a lance while the lembing is a spear. Both terms are often used interchangeably but tombak actually refers to non-missile weapons which are circular at the base of the blade, rather than spatulate. Lembing can be used for either a spear or javelin. Early spears were made entirely of wood. The steel-tipped spear was, along with the kris and shield, one of the main weapons used by soldiers in Maritime Southeast Asia
Maritime Southeast Asia
Maritime Southeast Asia refers to the maritime region of Southeast Asia as opposed to mainland Southeast Asia and includes the modern countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, East Timor and Singapore....
. The most common type is the tombak benderang
Qiang
The Qiang people are an ethnic group of China. They form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China, with a population of approximately 200,000, living mainly in northwestern part of Sichuan province....
which has red-dyed horse hair attached near the blade. Contrary to the common misconception that it is used to distract the opponent, the horse-hair's true purpose is to prevent the enemy's blood from dripping onto the handle.
Trisula
The trisula is a trident, the weaponised form of the serampang or three-pronged fishing-spear. A related weapon is the lembing tikam pari or three-barbed spear. Asian mythology links the trident with the supernatural, so it is sometimes called tongkat sakti or magic staff.
Melee weapons
TjabangSai (weapon)
The sai is a traditional Okinawan martial arts weapon. The basic form of the weapon is that of a pointed, dagger-shaped metal truncheon, with two curved prongs called yoku projecting from the handle...
also (chabang or Tekpi
Tekpi
The tekpi is a three-pronged truncheon resembling a sai, from Southeast Asia. The name tekpi comes from Malay, and it is known as chabang in Indonesian and trisoon in Thai. The tekpi is believed to have been derived from the Indian trishula. More than a weapon, it was also important as a...
).
Literally meaning "branch", the tjabang is a iron truncheon with two prongs similar to the Okinawan sai. Called tjabang in Indonesian
Indonesian language
Indonesian is the official language of Indonesia. Indonesian is a normative form of the Riau Islands dialect of Malay, an Austronesian language which has been used as a lingua franca in the Indonesian archipelago for centuries....
and tekpi in Malay
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
. The origin of the tjabang may have come from the influence of the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
culture on Indonesia between 300A.D. and 400A.D. The Indian trisula is thought to have been the prototype for the tjabang. Tjabang are traditionally paired and can be used in striking, locking or throwing techniques. The two outer prongs are used for trapping the weapon or breaking the opponent's weapon. Among silat practitioners, the tjabang is known as the king of weapons because of its usefulness when defending against blades.
Kipas
The kipas is a folding fan which people used to keep themselves cool in Southeast Asia's tropical heat. Although created in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
(where it is known as tieshan), the fan is common to many Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n cultures, as can be seen in traditional Indonesian-Malay dances. As a weapon the fan should be able to open and close easily with one hand, particularly if two are being wielded at once. Usually made of bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
, more combat-worthy kipas are constructed from harder wood or iron.
Perisai / Jebang
The perisai is a shield, typically paired with a spear or javelin. Shields in silat
Silat
Silat Melayu is a blanket term for the types of silat created in peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The silat tradition has deep roots in Malay culture and can trace its origin to the dawn of Malay civilization, 2000 years ago...
are generally round bucklers made of rattan
Rattan
Rattan is the name for the roughly 600 species of palms in the tribe Calameae, native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australasia.- Structure :...
. However, the indigenous tribes of Malaysia and Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
commonly wield the jebang, a long hexagonal wooden shield.
Samping / Chindai
The samping is a wearable sarong
Sarong
A sarong or sarung is a large tube or length of fabric, often wrapped around the waist and worn as a kilt by men and as a skirt by women throughout much of South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and on many Pacific islands. The fabric most often has woven plaid or...
usually tied around the waist or draped across one shoulder. Related weapons include the linso or kerchief, and the chindai or Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
i waist-sash made of silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
. Students first use it for practicing hand movements but in advanced stages it is applied as a weapon. Samping techniques include locks, grabs and choke-holds. It can also be used to trap the opponent's weapon or attacking limb. The samping is particularly useful against bladed weapons since the wrapped cloth provides some protection from cuts.
Range weapons
GandewaThe gandewa is a bow, though it is more often referred to as a busar or busur today. It was a common hunting weapon even among the region's aboriginal tribes (orang asal), but was later replaced by the senapang or rifle. The gandewa is very rarely taught in modern silat schools.
Sumpitan
The sumpitan is a blowpipe, a hollow bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
tube through which poisonous darts (damak) are shot. It is one of the oldest weapons in the region, having been used as a hunting tool by Proto-Malays since prehistoric times. The blowpipe is also the most popular long-range weapon in silat
Silat
Silat Melayu is a blanket term for the types of silat created in peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The silat tradition has deep roots in Malay culture and can trace its origin to the dawn of Malay civilization, 2000 years ago...
and was most often used to kill someone unawares. It typically measures 1.8m long and is made from two pieces of bamboo, one for the barrel and one for the casing. In close combat, it could be wielded as a stick. In Malaysia, the orang asli
Orang Asli
Orang Asli , is a generic Malaysian term used for people indigenous to Peninsular Malaysia...
are considered the greatest masters of the blowpipe. Tribes such as the Iban
Iban
IBAN or Iban may refer to:People* Ibán Espadas , footballer* Iban Iriondo , bicycle racer* Iban Mayo , bicycle racer* Iban Mayoz , bicycle racer* Iban Nokan, anthropologist and ethnographer...
of Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
used a hollow spear which could shoot arrows, thus combining the characteristics of a projectile and hand-to-hand weapon.
Imported weapons
JianJian
The jian is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. The first Chinese sources that mention the jian date to the 7th century BCE during the Spring and Autumn Period; one of the earliest specimens being the Sword of Goujian.Historical one-handed versions have blades...
The jian is a straight Chinese double-edge sword. It is one of the oldest known weapons to have been adopted from outside Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, and is depicted on bas-reliefs in Srivijaya
Srivijaya
Srivijaya was a powerful ancient thalassocratic Malay empire based on the island of Sumatra, modern day Indonesia, which influenced much of Southeast Asia. The earliest solid proof of its existence dates from the 7th century; a Chinese monk, I-Tsing, wrote that he visited Srivijaya in 671 for 6...
dating back more than one thousand years. Because it is lightweight and easily broken, the jian is hardly ever used for blocking. Instead, the fighter must rely on agility to dodge and avoid attacks. In silat, the Chinese sword can be used singly or in a pair.
Katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
The katana is a Japanese sword with a slight curve and a single edge. When it was first brought to Southeast Asia is unclear but the katana became more widely adopted in the region around the time of the Japanese Occupation
Japanese Occupation
Japanese Occupation may refer to:*Occupation of Japan, the occupation of Japan by United States forces following World War II*Japanese occupation of Burma*Japanese occupation of Cambodia*Japanese occupation of Guam*Japanese occupation of Hong Kong...
. Its application in silat is quite distinct, more reminiscent of krabi krabong
Krabi Krabong
Krabi krabong is a weapon-based martial art from Thailand. It is closely related to other Southeast Asian fighting styles such as Indonesian-Malay silat, Burmese banshay and the armed component of Cambodian bokator...
or banshay
Banshay
Banshay is a weapon-based Burmese martial art focusing primarily on the sword, staff and spear. Influenced by both Chinese and Indian sources, it is also closely related to krabi krabong and thang-ta....
than actual kenjutsu
Kenjutsu
, meaning "the method, or technique, of the sword." This is opposed to kendo, which means the way of the sword. Kenjutsu is the umbrella term for all traditional schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration...
.