Silat Cekak

Silat Cekak is one of the Malaysia's largest Silat schools.Currently, Silat Cekak is only limited to the Muslims and Malays so its not open yet for international members.

Silat Cekak is among hundreds of the silat styles that are exists in Malaysia.Its prominent features, among many are its straight postured approach in its defensive or offensive moves.Silat Cekak is different from other martial arts that it doesn't employ any evasive or side stepping moves.Instead, Silat Cekak moves forward in order to defeat the enemy. Therefore, this Silat can be aplied while fighting on the tight quarters such as on the boat or inside the passenger's airlines.

Silat Cekak is also diferent from other Silat since this Silat is not for entertainment (such as Silat Pulut) or for sport/sparring (such in Silat Olahraga). Therefore this silat doesn't have any dance-like moves and doesn't require huge amount of energy to defeat the enemy since Silat Cekak uses enemy's force to defeat the enemy itself.

Silat Cekak employs straight postured position as opposed in using the stance in order to teach its practitioner calm, patience and courage.Therefore, this Silat will only teaches its students the offensive move at the end of the syllabus.

Unlike other silat styles, this silat does not have its dance-like movements which are available in other silat, since this silat is only to be used in combat.Therefore, this silat does not require any traditional malay musical instruments.

The Meaning of Cekak

In Malay language, the word cekak can be translated into the different meanings.

In the State of Kedah, the word "Makan Cekak" are often used to show that an individual who say it is willing to perform any task.Therefore, this silat is for everyone who wants to take care of themselves.

In Minangkabau language, the word "cekak" is pronounced as "cakak/chakak" which means fight (gaduh in Malay carries the same meaning).Therefore this silat is meant for fighting (Silat Gaduh) and not to be played around.But this silat does not teach its students to start any fight but this silat can be used should the danger approached.

In Java language, the word "cekak" means simple.This silat is simple enough to learn and its moves are easy to remember. And this silat does not require strength to defeat its opponent so even a woman and the old can learn this silat.

The Malay word equivalent to "cekak" is "genggam" which means a handful.Therefore this silat's syllabus is short and few but can be used in any situation.This silat only teaches the essential and not the superflous.

The Syllabus

Silat Cekak's syllabus are divided into four main stages.There are 21 self defense moves (the buah, in Malay), which are taught gradually in order to make it easier to memorize.

Buah Asas (The Basic Buah)

Students will be teach on the basic foundation of this silat.That includes the basic deflection method and the basic for those 21 buahs (thus the name,Buah Asas.Asas means the basics, in Malay).

Buah Jatuh (The Takedown Buah)

Here the students will be teach on the complete set of all those 21 buahs.

Buah Potong (The Counter Movements)

Here the students will be trained on how to disarm the opponent if they're using any one of those 21 buah against them.Here, the students will also be trained in weapon disarmament empty handed. It is Silat Cekak's objective to seize the enemy's weapon and to use it against the opponent.

Peringkat Tamat (The Finishing Level)

Here, the students will be trained on Silat Cekak's offensive move (Buah Serang).The only time where Silat Cekak's students are allowed to attack is only when he have no other alternative but to do so.