Bali silat

Infobox_martial_art

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name = Bali Silat
aka = Pencak Silat, Silat
focus = Hybrid
country = Bali,Indonesia
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famous_pract = Made Sujana Balok, Nengah Sukama Spd. MM, Komang Edy
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website = http://www.bali-silat.com

Bali Silat is primarily a defensive martial art practiced in almost every town and village by both men and women. It takes its forms from nature and has a deep philosophical basis. Meditation and a clean spirit is required to reach the higher standards of practice.

In Bali Silat has some unique differences to other forms practiced throughout South East Asia. Bali has a 94% Hindu population whereas in the rest of Indonesia Islam is the majority. It is in this context that Silat in Bali has its distinct look and philosophy.

History

Originally imported from Java the forms and philosophies of Silat in Bali are intertwined with the distinct Balinese culture. In Bali there are two organizations which represent the Silat family; Bakti Negara and Kertha Wisesa. There are also national Indonesian styles that appeal mostly to non-Balinese ("pendatang"), like Perisai Diri and Satria Muda Indonesia (the style created by the endeavor of Prabowo Subianto).

Community

Two pencak silat organizations (Kertha Wisesa and Satria Muda Indonesia) joined together to welcome leaders from around the world to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change whose next major meeting is December 3rd 2007 until December 14th 2007 in Nusa Dua Bali Indonesia. It is the hope of these two community based organizations to present to the world their support for this historic conference through a Silat demonstration called "Fighting For Change!"

Traditional Costume

Masters of Bali Silat wear loose black pants and a black tunic as with many martial arts, but when combined with the ceremonial Balinese head dress and traditional sarong; the effect is a unique and spectacular fighting costume.

External Sources

[http://www.bali-silat.com Bali Silat UN Bali Conference on Global Climate Change - December 3rd-14th 2007]