Silat is a Southeast Asian martial art that has its roots in Indonesian and Malaysian culture. Silat is believed to have originated on the Indonesian island of Sumatra over a thousand years ago, based upon the movements and fighting techniques of animals.

There are a wide number of Silat styles and schools, many of which concentrate on different aspects. The four primary aspects of Silat are:

• Mental/spiritual - development of personality and nobility
• Bela Diri - self-defense, with an emphasis on self-confidence and perseverance
• Seni Budaya - culture and art, including traditional music and costumes
• Olahraga - sport, the physical aspect of competitions, including both demonstrations and full contact

The sport and self-defense aspects of Silat are some of the reasons that it has become popular in the West; however, it is important that all aspects are respected in true Silat.

Silat is a martial arts system that consists of a combination of positions and movements, in which practitioners are constantly in motion. During spars, opponents search for an opening in each other's defenses and then try to quickly finish with a fast attack. There is a vast array of defense and attacking techniques taught, including kicking, hitting, tripping, takedowns, throws, locks, strangles, joint breakings and sweeps. Silat practitioners take advantage of all parts of their body when attacking, including hands, feet, elbows, knees and legs.