Unlike most silat styles, Silat medan has no pre-arranged forms but instead relies on freestyle sets and extensive sparring with sticks and dulled blades. Such training allows for the learning of various techniques and applications without having to teach set moves. The etymological root of the word silat is uncertain and most hypotheses link it to any similar-sounding word. It may come from Si Elat which means someone who confuses, deceives or bluffs. A similar term, ilat, means an accident, misfortune or a calamity. Another theory is that it comes from silap meaning wrong or error. Some styles contain a set of techniques called Langkah Silap designed to lead the opponent into making a mistake. The word Melayu means Malay and came from the Sanskrit term Malaiur or Malayadvipa which can be translated as "land of mountains", the word used by ancient Indian traders when referring to the Malay Peninsula. Silat is sometimes called gayung or gayong in the northern Malay Peninsula. In other regions the word gayung refers to the spiritual practices in silat. Silat Melayu is sometimes mistakenly called bersilat but this is actually a verbal form of the noun silat.
The first martial skills in the Malay Peninsula were those of the indigenous tribes (orang asal) who would use hunting implements like spears, machetes, blowpipes and bows and arrows in raids against enemy tribes. Certain tribes were well-known warriors which modified their system of silat melayu for specific use on the battlefield making it even more deadly. As a result of their experience in wars, commanders saw the use of the modified form of silat more effective for the army of warriors Silat Medan was known to have been held in high esteem by the Malay kings for its effectiveness in the art of war, as mentioned in the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals).
The Malays had already established regular contact with both India and China before the 1st century. Silat was largely shaped by Chinese and Indian martial arts, as evidenced by Kedah's 2nd-century Bujang Valley civilisation which housed various Indian weapons including an ornate trisula. The local adoption of the Indian religions of Hinduism and Buddhism resulted in the founding of early Malay kingdoms throughout the region, notably Langkasuka (1st century), Gangga Negara (2nd century), and the Kedah Kingdom (7th century).
From these ancient Malay city-states, the earliest forms of silat Melayu were developed and eventually used in the armed forces to defend the land was called Silat Medan. Tradition credits silat tua (lit. "old silat") as the first system of silat Melayu to have been founded on the peninsula. The area from Isthmus of Kra to the northern Malay peninsula, a border area between Malaysia and Thailand where it was created, is culturally significant and considered to be the "cradle of Malay civilization and culture".
Gangga Negara, one of the peninsula's oldest kingdoms, was eventually destroyed by Rajendra Chola I of the Tamil Chola empire. Today, most Malaysian Indians are Tamils, who influenced several Southeast Asian martial arts through silambam. This staff-based fighting style was already being practiced by the region's Indian community when Malacca Sultanate was founded at the beginning of the 15th century. During the 18th century silambam became more prevalent in the Malay Peninsula than in India, where it was banned by the British government. The bamboo staff is still one of silat's most fundamental weapons. The seventh century was the beginning of the Srivijaya civilization in Palembang, Sumatra and the influence of silat from the mainland Malay society was consolidated by Ninik Dato' Suri Diraja (1097–1198) to create silek (Minang silat) of Sumatra.
In Malay the practice area is called a gelanggang. They were traditionally located outdoors, either in a specially constructed part of the village or in a jungle clearing. The area would be enclosed by a fence made of bamboo and covered in nipah or coconut leaves to prevent outsiders from stealing secrets. Before training can begin, the gelanggang must be prepared either by the teachers or senior students in a ritual called "opening the training area" (buka gelanggang ). This starts by cutting some limes into water and then walking around the area while sprinkling the water onto the floor. The guru walks in a pattern starting from the centre to the front-right corner, and then across to the front-left corner. She/he then walks backwards past the centre into the rear-right corner, across to the rear-left corner, and finally ends back in the centre. The purpose of walking backwards is to show respect to the gelanggang, and any guests that may be present, by never turning one's back to the front of the area.
Once this has been done, the teacher sits in the centre and recites an invocation so the space is protected with positive energy. From the centre, the guru walks to the front-right corner and repeats the invocation while keeping his/her head bowed and hands crossed. The right hand is crossed over the left and they are kept at waist level. The mantera is repeated at each corner and in the same pattern as when the water was sprinkled. As a sign of humility, the guru maintains a bent posture while walking across the training area. After repeating the invocation in the centre once more, the teacher sits down and meditates. Although most practitioners today train in modern indoor gelanggang and the invocations are often replaced with a prayer, this ritual is still carried out in some form or another.
Weapons
| Weapon | Definition |
|---|---|
| Kris | A dagger which is often given a distinct wavy blade by folding different types of metal together and then washing it in acid. |
| Parang | Machete/ broadsword, commonly used in daily tasks such as cutting through forest growth. |
| Golok | |
| Tombak | Spear/ javelin, made of wood, steel or bamboo that may have dyed horsehair near the blade. |
| Lembing | |
| Tongkat | Staff or walking stick made of bamboo, steel or wood. |
| Batang | |
| Gedak | A mace or club usually made of iron. |
| Kipas | Folding fan preferably made of hardwood or iron. |
| Kerambit | A concealable claw-like curved blade that can be tied in a woman's hair. |
| Sabit | Sickle commonly used in farming, harvesting and cultivation of crops. |
| Serampang | Trident originally used for fishing. |
| Trisula | |
| Tekpi | Three-pronged truncheon thought to derive from the trident. |
| Chabang | |
| Chindai | Wearable sarong used to lock or defend attacks from bladed weapons. |
| Samping | |
| Rantai | Chain used for whipping and seizing techniques |
