Silat and the Keris (part 1)

When we talk about silat, the keris would be inevitably mentioned. What is the keris and why is it so important to silat practitioners? This can be a very long and complex topic. There are many theories and opinions on the matter. In my understanding, the keris is a symbol and pride of the Malay people. It is part of our culture and costume. Prior to the 1800s, every adult Malay male would have had a keris tucked into his sash. It was never regarded as a weapon but as part of our daily dress. A keris represented the identity of its wearer. Nonetheless, it was Raffle's intervention in the 19th century that caused the keris to be designated as a dangerous weapon. He banned the wearing of the keris. Thousands of keris were either confiscated, hidden or destroyed.

There is no reason to fear the keris. Like the Japanese katana, it is an exquisite work of art. Every keris is unique and no two blades are the same. As unique as a person's fingerprint or DNA. For this reason, the keris represented its wearer - it was a sign of where they came from,  their social standing and even their personality traits. In a way, the keris was it's wearer's twin. In modern times, a keris could be likened to an identification card or personal document. Everything about the owner could be found embedded in the likeness of a keris.

The keris has a deep spiritual connection with its wearer, and by spiritual connection, I did not simply mean a supernatural one! Every blade was custom made to cater to the needs of a specific person. Some keris were made as a companion, some were made for trade while others were made for war. It may seem that the keris was regarded as a talisman (which is not permitted in Islam), but in truth, the making of a keris had very close ties to the quantum theory.

The combination of steel, wood and other materials resonated with the spirit of the wearer. A good keris will give out positive vibes to its wearer. The pamor or damascene patterns resulting from the pattern welding process also resonated certain energies that promote certain qualities towards the wearer and their audience. This reaction occurs on an atomic level. Materials such as gold, silver and brass added into the blade is said to have specific effects. 

One may wonder, how does this work? Imagine how certain events or situations can effect the psychological state and well-being of the people involved. Every object send unseen signals that can be felt on a cellular level and this in turn affects the individual involved. A keris works in the same way. Each blade has a personality of its own, and as such it emanated different signals towards the wearer and the public. Upon looking at a keris, a person subconsciously received signals - or quantum waves - that will affect their course of action. Some keris instill fear in those who behold them, some awe, not to mention affection and majesty. 

This is only a small part of the "magic" of the keris as a cultural icon and identity of the Malays, and of silat in general. The keris is a cultural object that could be used as a weapon, only when it was truly necessary. It was a deterrent to conflict. The mere angle at which the keris hilt was pointing could decide between life or death, war or peace...

This is the Way. May peace be upon us all...

Silat and the Malay World

Silat is as a part of the Malay culture as the Malay language. It is the traditional Malay form of martial art that has been developed for hundreds of years (and it is still evolving to this day). Nonetheless, there are certain aspects of silat that cannot be altered, and is the identifying quality of silat. Its principles, culture and ethics make silat unique to the Malay people. Even before the coming of Islam to the Nusantara, the Malays have been practicing the art of silat. The arrival of Islam made silat a more complete form of martial art, reinforcing its core values with the sacred tenets of the Islamic faith.

Silat was not merely an art of war, but it became a Way of Life long before the Bushido code of the samurai came into widespread application. A true silat practitioner was the ideal gentleman. Honest, intelligent, courteous, courageous and bound to a strict code of honour. Despite being armed, it is not easy for a silat warrior to draw their weapons. Their strict code of conduct prevented them from harming innocent lives, only to use force as a last option.

As mentioned in the Al Tarikh Salasilah Negeri Kedah (The Kedah Annals), a warrior should exercise the "100 to 1" principle. In short, try 100 ways to avert aggression before resorting to violence as a last effort to defend oneself. This verse in the Annals emphasized the importance of patience is a warrior. Patience is also a cornerstone of Islam. This is one of the ways silat educates its practitioners towards maintaining peace and harmony.

Nonetheless, some of the Malays nowadays no longer practice silat, and even shun it. Practitioners are often ridiculed and looked down upon as being "out of date" and "living in the past". Some even say that people use guns nowadays, but fall silent when asked to produce their firearms! These sentiments show how ignorant people can be of their own culture and heritage. Silat is not about becoming a thug and beating people up. Silat is about becoming a well-mannered, well-behaved individual who is beneficial to the society.