Silat: A Perspective on a Malay Martial Art

Writing this book took over three years. I document my journey in the martial arts, in a specific martial art – Silat Chakak (pronounced: sea-latt cha-hah-kak). It was the fourth type of silat that I learnt, but also the one that I am most fond of.

Compact and condense, it only has six core techniques – the ‘rangkaian enam’ (pronounced: rang-quay-an eh-numb) – but is incredibly versatile. ‘Rangkain enam’ in english is: chain of six.

Rich in history, Silat Chakak is rooted in the Malay culture of Brunei Darussalam. It was practised behind closed walls of the royal palace grounds; as well as amongst the common folk: in the private homes of practitioners in the water villages, at wedding functions, as well as more discretely in the shadows. In the shadows, where prying eyes kept well away and where grievances could be settled privately.

This book goes through the six techniques of attack in Silat Chakak and its applications – empty handed and with various weapons. It goes through salutations, movement patterns, and blocking sequences.