Indonesian martial art granted UN heritage status

JAKARTA－Anwar bin Sholeh had something to cheer when he showed up at a Jakarta training center to practice pencak silat: The Indonesian martial art had been added to UNESCO's prestigious heritage list last week.

"It's an honor that pencak silat has been recognized internationally," said the 38-year-old, who has been practicing the art since elementary school. "This will motivate us to preserve our traditions and culture," he added.

Dating back to as early as the 6th century, one legend has it that the ancient martial art－which blends self-defense and artistic elements－originated after a woman watched a tiger do battle with a giant hawk, and copied their techniques to fight off a pestering group of drunken men.

The term pencak silat describes hundreds of indigenous combat styles in Southeast Asia, with fighters wielding a terrifying array of weapons such as knives, sickles and machetes.

The martial art won greater recognition outside Indonesia after being featured in Star Wars and John Wick films in recent years.

"I'm glad that pencak silat is now not only recognized in Hollywood," said practitioner Rian Irawan bin Maswan Hasan.

"It's a unique martial art because it is not only for health and self-defense, but it also builds solidarity and brotherhood among it members," he added.

The inclusion on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage practices was decided during a committee meeting in Bogota last week.

"In addition to their sporting element, traditions of pencak silat also encompass mental-spiritual, self-defense and artistic aspects," the United Nations Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organization said.

"The moves and styles of pencak silat are strongly influenced by various elements of art, involving a unity of body and movement fitting the accompanying music."

The martial art was featured at last year's Asian Games, where host Indonesia swept the gold medal tally.