Silat Harimau

In the world there are many different styles of martial arts silat. Silat Harimau or the Tiger Form whose steps reflect tiger-like movement.

Harimau means ‘tiger’ in English. Therefore silat harimau is based on tiger style fighting. This style is popular in southern Malay peninsular and Minangkabau. In Minangkabau also called silat kucing, but the word of tiger is more popular.

Tiger Fighting

The style is said to have developed out of the necessity for combat on wet and highly slippery surfaces where upright stances are impractical; also to offset the eventuality of falling down on the ground from upright combat, there to be helpless and in danger of losing one’s life.

In executing the ground tactics the Harimau fighters find their legs all important. The style is deceptive and many an upright attacker is surprised by the quick defeat rendered by his ‘tiger’ foe. The ground-hugging harimau fighter is evasive, clever, and not the sitting duck he appears to. The speed and power of his legs and feet can demolish and ordinary upright defense.

Tiger Style

Perhaps there is no silat as curious as the harimau style. Harimau silat is the most aggressive and dangerous style of Minang martial art, which is originated from West Sumatra.

Silat Harimau is the art of fighting without the use of weapon, such as knife, machete, stick, etc. therefore, empowering the hands becomes extemely important for hitting/slapping, gripping, and scratching/grating.

Techniques gripping

Training involves breaking one up to six coconuts shells with bare hands, by gripping. Training also applies low, medium and high-fencing positions while standing firmly on both legs, with hands in the form of tiger claws, ready to catching, hitting, slapping, grating and locking the adversary, in addition to evading,  catching and attacking the opponent with open-palm blows, kicking and locking techniques. Methods to unlock are also taught.

To learn the art of breaking away from a lock position, one had to undergo the evening ritual-bath of warmed coconut oil while focusing on mental image of a body too slippery to be captured, pinned down or locked.

Video Learning Silat Harimau