Editing Silat Melayu (section)

==History==
===Early period===
The genesis of traditional Malay martial arts has been attributed to the need for [[self-defense]], hunting techniques and military training in ancient [[Malay world]]. [[Hand-to-hand combat]] and [[weapon]]s practice were important in training warriors for combat in human warfare. Early traditional fighting styles believed to have been developed among various Malayic tribes from the dawn of the Malayic civilisation, 2000 years ago.<ref>{{harvnb|Alexander|2006|pp=51–52 & 225}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Abd. Rahman Ismail|2008|p=188}}</ref> Movements of these early fighting styles epitomize the movements of various animals such as the crocodile, tiger and eagle, and deeply influenced by [[Malaysian folk religion|ancient Malay animism]].<ref>{{harvnb|Farrer|2009|p=53}}</ref> As the expanding [[Iron Age]] civilisations on the [[Mainland Southeast Asia]] engaged in wars and diplomacy, it led to the advancement of the art of war, weaponry and martial arts skills.<ref>{{harvnb|Abd. Rahman Ismail|2008|p=18}}</ref>

Early Malays and the related [[Chams]], were the only sizable [[Austronesian peoples|Austronesians]] that had established themselves since the Iron Age on the Mainland Southeast Asia among the Austroasiatic inhabitants.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OQkiAQAAQBAJ&q=chams+in+Thailand&pg=PA22 |title=Islam in Modern Thailand: Faith, Philanthropy and Politics - Rajeswary Ampalavanar Brown - Google Books |via=Google Books |date= 2013-10-01|access-date= 26 January 2017|isbn=9781134583898 |last1=Brown |first1=Rajeswary Ampalavanar}}</ref> Some scholars like [[D. G. E. Hall|Hall]] and [[Robert Blust|Blust]] argued that even the earlier [[Funan]]ese were Austronesians, and by the early centuries of Christiann era, a single dialect chain of Austronesian languages would have extended almost unbroken from the [[Malay Peninsula]] to Champa. The expansion of the [[Khmer people|Khmers]] into the region of the [[Mekong Delta]] would then have divided an earlier language continuum into two separate and smaller dialects.<ref>{{harvnb|Thurgood|1999|p=17}}</ref> By the 2nd century CE, the early Austronesian settlements that centered around present day Southern Vietnam and the [[Kra Isthmus]] region of the Malay Peninsula and its peripheries, had developed into strong kingdoms like [[Champa]], [[Langkasuka]] and [[History of Kedah|Kedah]]. The Chams were particularly known as formidable warriors who were great exponents of martial arts. Their exceptional skills in warfare were gained through their long intermittent conflicts with neighbouring kingdoms. The discovery of prototypes of [[bronze]] [[kris]] in Southern Vietnam, with [[hilt]] decorated by human figure, dating back to more than 2000 years ago, further indicated that the Chams had developed an advanced martial arts tradition.<ref>{{harvnb|Farish A Noor|2000|p=244}}</ref><ref name="Abd. Rahman Ismail 2008 21">{{harvnb|Abd. Rahman Ismail|2008|p=21}}</ref> Even centuries later, their martial prowess were still held in high regards among people in Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, as the legends of prominent Cham warriors made its way in the [[Malay Annals]] and ''Tambo'' of [[Minangkabau people]]. ''Tambo'' for example, recounts the legend of a Cham warrior who goes by the name Harimau Campo ('tiger of Champa’). Together with Kuciang Siam, Kambiang Hutan and Anjiang Mualim, they developed the early Minangkabau ''silek''.<ref name="Abd. Rahman Ismail 2008 22">{{harvnb|Abd. Rahman Ismail|2008|p=22}}</ref>

The early fighting styles are also thought to have been developed in Langkasuka, another important Austronesian polity of Mainland Southeast Asia. Langkasuka that is widely regarded as the progenitor of [[Pattani Kingdom]], along with the culturally-related [[History of Kedah|Kedah]], are earliest kingdoms of the Malay Peninsula. The martial prowess of people in the Pattani region is well recounted in many Malay legends, an indication of a long established martial arts tradition since the ancient times. ''[[Hikayat Hang Tuah]]'' narrates that the people of Pattani were known for their advanced martial art skills and their army were not easily subdued by the Melakan forces.<ref>{{harvnb|Abd. Rahman Ismail|2008|p=24}}</ref> The oldest form of silat still in existence, ''[[Silat Pattani|Silat Tua]]'' ('ancient silat') which is strongly rooted in animism,<ref name="Sutton 2018 10">{{harvnb|Sutton|2018|p=10}}</ref> is originated from Pattani and according to the local legends, was once practiced by [[Hang Tuah]] himself.<ref>{{harvnb|Abd. Rahman Ismail|2008|p=25}}</ref>

An important development of martial arts of the Malay world is also attributed to the foreign influence. The infusion of foreign elements were not only obtained through wars and conquests, but also through trade and diplomacy. The growth in trade relations brought in foreign influence throughout the early primordial Austronesian ancient states, most importantly in cultural traits including the combative arts.<ref>{{harvnb|Mishra|2010|p=28}}</ref> The influence from both [[Chinese martial arts|Chinese]] and [[Indian martial arts]] can be observed from the use of weapons such as the Indian mace and the Chinese sword. During this period, formalised combat arts were believed to have been practiced in the Champa, Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.<ref>{{harvnb|James|1994|p=73}}</ref> From the 12th century, the martial arts were further developed in [[Langkasuka]] under [[Srivijaya]] after [[Chola dynasty|Chola Empire]] was expelled from Sumatra and Malay Peninsula.The [[Riau Archipelago]] is particularly noted in its role in the development of Malay martial arts. Its people [[Orang Laut]] also called Orang Selat are stereotyped as [[sea pirate]]s, but historically played major roles in the times of [[Srivijaya]] and later sultanates of [[Melaka Sultanate|Melaka]], and [[Johor Sultanate|Johor]]. The fighting styles developed in this area are described by different writers as a crude prototype of Malay martial arts and one of the progenitors of modern Malay Silat.<ref>{{harvnb|Farrer|2009|pp=27–28}}</ref>

===Islamic era===
[[File:Hang Tuah, Muzium Negara - cropped.jpg|thumb|right|A bronze mural of the legendary [[Laksamana]] [[Hang Tuah]] exhibited at the [[National Museum (Malaysia)|National Museum]], [[Kuala Lumpur]]. He was a renowned exponent of martial arts, recounted today as an integral part of the cultural legacy of Silat.]]
The Malay martial arts reached its historical peak with the rise of Islam during the 15th century under the [[Melaka Sultanate]].<ref>{{harvnb|Farrer|2009|pp=31–34}}</ref> The era is known for the infusions of Islamic philosophy and elements of [[sufism]], or Islamic mysticism, in silat. Literary texts mentioned some notable sufis like Makhdum Sadar Jahan who was a teacher for Sultan [[Ahmad Shah of Malacca|Ahmad Shah]],<ref>{{harvnb|Abd. Rahman Ismail|2008|p=30}}</ref> as well as Sheikh Mansur who taught [[Hang Tuah]] the knowledge of ''tasawuf''.<ref>{{harvnb|Abd. Rahman Ismail|2008|p=35}}</ref> The era also saw the introduction of [[Baju Melayu]]<ref>{{harvnb|Siti Zainon Ismail|2009|p=167&293}}</ref> that became the common uniform of silat practitioners until today.<ref>{{harvnb|Farrer|2009|p=122}}</ref>

The Melakan era that lasted until the early 16th century is also a popular setting for the stories and legends in classical Malay literature. Numerous exploits of warriors  are recounted in famous literary texts like  the ''[[Malay Annals]]'' and ''[[Hikayat Hang Tuah]]''.  In the ''[[Malay Annals]]'', the martial prowess of the Malay rulers and nobility is dramatically recounted in many colourful vignettes, for example, that of Sultan [[Alauddin Riayat Shah of Malacca|Alauddin]] personally apprehending thieves in flight. These legends are important because they establish the principle of the divine rule of kings, kings who are said to be the shadow of god on earth, and because they firmly tie divine right to the war machine, silat.<ref>{{harvnb|Farrer|2009|pp=32}}</ref> The ''Hikayat Hang Tuah'' narrates the life of the legendary [[Laksamana]] [[Hang Tuah]], a renowned formidable exponent of martial arts, whose exploits are still recounted today as an integral part of the cultural legacy of silat.<ref>{{harvnb|Farrer|2009|p=34}}</ref> His [[duel]] with one of his companions, [[Hang Jebat]] is the famous depiction of a silat duel in literature and art, and has also become the most controversial subject in Malay culture, concerning on the questions of unconditional loyalty and justice. In early literature, the Malay martial arts were generally known as ''ilmu perang'' ('military knowledge'), ''ilmu hulubalang'' ('knowledge of [[Hulubalang]]'), ''ilmu prajurit'' ('knowledge of soldiers') in literature.<ref name="Anuar Abd Wahab 2008 15"/>

Foreign influences, like in pre-Islamic era Malay Peninsula, plays important role in shaping various cultural aspects in Melakan society. The Malay Annals recorded an enclave of [[Chams]] among many foreign enclaves in the city of Melaka.<ref name="Abd. Rahman Ismail 2008 21"/> The Chams who arrived after the sack of [[Champa]]’s capital [[Vijaya (Champa)|Vijaya]] in 1471,<ref name="Thurgood 1999 22">{{harvnb|Thurgood|1999|p=22}}</ref> were said to be instrumental in the development of martial arts in Melakan era.<ref name="Abd. Rahman Ismail 2008 22"/> They were known to have been held in high esteem by the Malay kings for their knowledge in martial arts and for being highly skilled in the [[art of war]].<ref name="Abd. Rahman Ismail 2008 21"/> Since it was common back then for prominent fighters to be elevated to head war troops and received ranks or bestowals from the [[raja]], Chams also rose in ranks, filling important positions within the sultanate. During the reign of Sultan [[Mansur Shah of Malacca|Mansur Shah]], a Cham prince named Indera Brama was appointed as a senior minister in Melakan court, an indication of their importance.<ref name="Abd. Rahman Ismail 2008 21"/><ref name="Thurgood 1999 22"/>

From the 15th century onwards, [[Malayisation]] spread many Malay traditions including language, literature, martial arts, and other cultural values throughout [[Maritime Southeast Asia]]. Historical accounts note close relationship between Melaka and Brunei Sultanates, leading to the spread of Silat through the region from as early as the 15th century. Brunei's national epic poem, the ''Syair Awang Semaun'', recounts the legend of a strong and brave warrior Awang Semaun who contributed extensively to the development of Brunei, and who is also said to be the younger brother of Awang Alak Betatar or [[Muhammad Shah of Brunei|Muhammad Shah]] (1405–1415), the first Sultan of Brunei. The fifth Sultan, [[Bolkiah]], who ruled between 1485 and 1524, excelled both in martial art and diplomacy.<ref>{{harvnb|Zapar|1989|p=22}}</ref> Under the seventh Sultan, [[Saiful Rijal]] (1575–1600), the sultanate was involved in the [[Castilian War]] against the [[Spanish Empire]] in 1578, and they would have used Silat and invulnerability practices.<ref>{{harvnb|Dayangku Hajah Rosemaria Pengiran Haji Halus|2009|p=44}}</ref> Thereafter, several patriots excelled as warriors, including [[Bendahara Sakam|Pengiran Bendahara Sakam]] under the reign of [[Abdul Hakkul Mubin|Sultan Abdul Mubin]] (1600–1673).<ref>{{harvnb|Zapar|1989|p=21}}</ref> As Brunei rose to the status of a maritime power at the crossroads of Southeast Asia, it built the unity of the kingdom through war and conquest, and managed to extend its control over  the coastal regions of modern-day [[Sarawak]] and [[Sabah]] and the Philippines Islands, which were under the Sultanate's control for more than two centuries.<ref>{{harvnb|De Vienne|2012|p=44}}</ref>

===Colonial and modern era===
In the 16th century, [[conquistadors]] from [[Portugal]] attacked [[Malacca]] in an attempt to monopolise the spice trade. The [[Malay people|Malay]] warriors managed to hold back the better-equipped [[Europe]]ans for over 40 days before [[Malacca]] was eventually defeated. The [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] hunted and killed anyone with knowledge of martial arts so that the remaining practitioners fled to more isolated areas.<ref>{{cite book| title=Silat Tua: The Malay Dance Of Life |author=Zainal Abidin Shaikh Awab and Nigel Sutton |year=2006 |publisher=Azlan Ghanie Sdn Bhd |location=Kuala Lumpur |isbn=978-983-42328-0-1}}</ref> Even today, the best silat masters are said to come from rural villages that have had the least contact with outsiders.

For the next few hundred years, the [[Malay Archipelago]] would be contested by a string of foreign rulers, namely the [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]], [[Dutch people|Dutch]], and finally the [[British people|British]]. The 17th century saw an influx of [[Minangkabau people|Minangkabau]] and [[Buginese people|Bugis]] people into the [[Malay Peninsula|peninsula]] from [[Sumatra]] and [[south Sulawesi]] respectively. [[Buginese people|Bugis]] sailors were particularly famous for their martial prowess and were feared even by the [[Demographics of Europe|European]] colonists. Between 1666 and 1673, Bugis [[mercenaries]] were employed by the [[Johor Empire]] when a civil war erupted with [[Jambi]], an event that marked the beginning of [[Buginese people|Bugis]] influences in local conflicts for succeeding centuries. By the 1780s the [[Buginese people|Bugis]] had control of [[Johor]] and established a kingdom in [[Selangor]]. With the consent of the [[Johor]] ruler, the [[Minangkabau people]] formed their own federation of nine states called [[Negeri Sembilan]] in the hinterland. Today, some of [[Malaysia]]'s silat schools can trace their lineage directly back to the [[Minangkabau people|Minangkabau]] and [[Buginese people|Bugis]] settlers of this period.

[[File:Stamp of Penang - 1960 - Colnect 534973 - Bersilat.jpeg|thumb|Silat depicted on a 1960 postage stamp.]]
After [[Malaysia]] achieved independence, [[Tuan Haji Anuar bin Haji Abd. Wahab]] was given the responsibility of developing the nation's national silat curriculum which would be taught to secondary and primary school students all over the country. On 28 March 2002, his [[Seni Silat Malaysia]] was recognised by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, the Ministry of Education and PESAKA as [[Malaysia]]'s national silat. It is now conveyed to the community by means of the ''gelanggang bangsal'' meaning the martial arts training institution carried out by silat instructors.<ref>''Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa'' PESAKA (2006) [''Sejarah Silat Melayu'' by Tn. Hj. Anuar Abd. Wahab]</ref> Malaysian Silat by December 2019, received recognition from [[UNESCO]] as part of Malaysian [[Intangible Cultural Heritage]].<ref>[https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/12/547435/silat-ours Silat is ours] [[new Straits Times]]. Retrieved on 15 December 2019</ref>