Traditional and modern forms of pencak silat in Indonesia: The suku mamak in Riau

Abstract

Pencak silat ('the art of self defence') is a contemporary umbrella term used in Indonesia and Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia to designate the hundreds of traditional and modern martial art genres that are performed either solo or as a duel, and with or without musical accompaniment. The two components of the term designate the two parts of the one pencak silat genre: pencak, a performance art, and silat, a fighting and self defence art, with the latter sometimes involving the use of weapons such as a sword or dagger. The forms are associated with a range of local legends, religious concepts and philosophies, religions, and systems of customary law (adat), and are components of traditional education. This article explores traditional and modern forms of Pencak silat of the Suku Mamak in Riau, in which the collaborative roles of musicians, musical instruments and other participants are analysed. The article argues that the modern state-appropriated forms have developed in similar fashion throughout the Indonesian archipelago. © 2011 Musicological Society of Australia.