Pencak Silat or Silat (“fighting by using techniques of self-defence”) is a Southeast Asian martial art with roots in the culture of the Malay World. This art is widely known in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore but can also be found in varying degrees within countries such as Thailand and the Philippines amongst others. The art has also reached Europe, and is especially popular in the Netherlands, where it is as popular as karate is in the United States. It is estimated that there are hundreds of aliran (styles) and thousands of schools. Many of the aliran find their origin in the observation of wild animals fighting. “Harimau” (Tiger) and “Helang” (Eagle) are some examples.
