Skip to content
Pencak Silat, Across Indonesia
Back to Culture

Nusa Culture

Pencak Silat

Across IndonesiaSumatraTraditions

Indonesia's martial art, part self-defence, part dance, part philosophy.

Pencak silat is the umbrella name for hundreds of martial art schools across the archipelago. It combines striking, grappling and weapons with graceful choreographed movement.

Many forms are performed with music at weddings and ceremonies. Regional styles, from Minangkabau silek to Betawi silat, each have their own character. UNESCO inscribed pencak silat in 2019.

Good to know

  • UNESCO intangible heritage (2019)
  • Hundreds of regional schools
  • Performed with music

Ask NUSANTARA AI

Curious about Pencak Silat? Keep exploring.

Explore With AI
Tell me more about Pencak Silat Where can I experience Pencak Silat? What places should I see in Sumatra?

Nusa Local

Experience it locally

Where Pencak Silat is still made, played or lived.

All local discoveries in Sumatra →

Continue discovering

Connected to Pencak Silat