Pencak silat, Indonesia's ancient martial art, gains new footing in UAE
The traditions of pencak silat entered the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List in 2019. While its earliest origins can be traced back to the seventh century, pencak silat has evolved over the centuries, with the term widely used today often credited to Indonesia's West Java province and Sumatra island.
The martial art is also popular in neighboring countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore, and has been included in the Southeast Asian Games since 1987 and at the 2018 Asian Games hosted by Indonesia.
In the UAE, there has been a growing interest in pencak silat, with Abu Dhabi hosting the 20th World Pencak Silat Championship and the 5th Junior World Pencak Silat Championship simultaneously last December, marking the first time such tournaments took place in the Middle East.
'These two championships became the largest in pencak silat history, with 57 countries represented and over 1,100 athletes, officials, referees, and judges in attendance,' Muhammad Sadri, chief of the social and cultural affairs department at the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and a deputy chairman of the events' organizing committee, told Arab News.
'In the context of international relations, pencak silat serves as a powerful tool for soft diplomacy, fostering mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and friendship between nations.'
In recent years, pencak silat gained global traction through rising Indonesian martial artists, such as Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian, who performed the tradition in famous film franchises, including 'The Raid' and 'John Wick.'
While the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has been promoting pencak silat since 2000, its recent rise to international prominence has helped boost its popularity in the UAE.
Following the global pencak silat tournaments last year, the discipline has since been recognized by the UAE Sports for All Federation.
'The response from both the UAE government and the public has been overwhelmingly positive. Pencak silat has attracted growing interest not only from the Indonesian diaspora, but also from Emiratis and expatriates of various nationalities who have begun participating in regular training sessions,' Sadri said, referring to weekly pencak silat classes held at the embassy.
Indonesian authorities see pencak silat as 'one of the most unique and meaningful expressions' of Indonesia's heritage, and a 'living embodiment' of the country's core values of discipline, respect, humility, and strength in harmony.
The UAE 'provides an ideal and strategic platform to introduce and celebrate this treasured Indonesian tradition with the world,' Sadri said.
'By promoting pencak silat in the UAE, the embassy is not only preserving a vital part of Indonesian heritage, but also inspiring youth, strengthening people-to-people connections, and opening up new avenues for collaboration in the fields of sport, education, and cultural diplomacy.'
Beyond its sporting element, pencak silat also covers mental and spiritual aspects, as well as life philosophy, while its techniques range from unarmed skills to others incorporating the use of traditional weapons, such as machete, dagger, and trident.
It also draws heavily from nature, with many styles taking inspiration from the movements of animals and natural elements, such as the silat harimau, or tiger style, from West Sumatra, which mimics the ferocity and agility of a tiger.
In its inscription, UNESCO highlighted how the practice strengthens comradeship and maintains social order, while also providing entertainment in traditional ceremonies.
'Pencak silat is not merely about physical combat — it is about character-building, cultural identity, and human connection. It offers values that transcend borders: discipline, resilience, and harmony,' Sadri said.
He said the discipline 'is not only a reflection of Indonesia's past, but also a contribution to the future — as a universal platform for peace, empowerment, and international cooperation.'
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