Silambam (Malaysia)

1. The Origin

The Silambam is a type of self-defense arts which has been spread out by Tamil people of India. The word Silambam has many meanings: 1. movements of self defense either devoid of using weapon or using weapons such as, wooden stick, sword, spear, and the like; 2. match; 3. action to threat others; 4. technique to rotate wooden stick. Apart from those meanings, the clearer thing is that Silambam is one of 64 types of self defense arts, which was spread out by the people of Tamil, with a purpose to help those who learn the techniques to become a perfect man. Silambam could also be used as a method to prevent and heal many kinds of illness, such as: stomachache, constipation, and cold.

Purportedly, this self defense art of Silambam has been existed since the pre-historic age or around 5.000 years ago (before the coming of Arya people to India). In China and Japan it had only been known in the early sixteen century. It was carried out by the Buddhist propagator. In those two countries, the Silambam had become an obligatory technique in the military training. Before the troops were allowed to use swords, they had to master this self defense art. However, in Malaysia, the technique had been well-known in eighteen century; it was when the British colonialism imported the workers from Tamil, India. The Tamil people were those who introduce the Silambam to Malay people.

In the Second World War era, the Silambam was very popular, especially in Kuala Selangor, Kapar, and Kelang. The British colonial government had forbidden it, but the self-defense art had still been taught secretly (in the forests or hidden places). Recently, the Silambam self defense art has developed and become a type of sport which is competed with special rules.

2. Special Techniques in the Silambam

In Silambam, one to be called an expert when he masters the technique and tactics to let fall his competitor within the move of 16, 32, and 64, by only moving four parts of the body (head, shoulder, waist, and feet). The other techniques which are specific of this art are movements to resemble: monkey, snake, frog, eagle, and elephant. An expert, in a contest, usually only watches the rival`s eyes since the opponent`s movements usually go with the eyes` movements. During the fight, a fighter generally uses special stick made from good quality of bamboo or rattan (the length is equal with the fighter`s height while the diameter is about 3 cm). Before being used as weapon, the stick is soaked in the water for several days. After that, the stick is beaten overtimes either into the stream of water or non-flowed water surface, in order to strengthen its` flexibility.

3. Rules in the Silambam

There are specific rules to be obeyed in Silambam competition.

1. Competitors should always rotate their stick during the match to get score;
2. Participants are forbidden to hold their opponent with one hand; and
3. Contestants are only allowed to hit certain determined target. If they disobedience to the rules, the contestants will be reminded and the score they got is reduced.

In addition to the above rules, the contest is divided into classes based on age and weight of the competitors. The classes are:

1. Sub junior (for the children aged under 10 years old);
2. Junior (for the fighter with weight between 30-40 kilo grams);
3. Senior (for whose weight between 50-75 kilo grams);
4. Veteran class (for the 45 years old contestants and over).

Besides individual competition, there is also group contest. The maximum groups are 20. Each group consists of 10 people; they have to show their mastery in rotating the stick with every technique. So, the group contest is not physical fight competition, but it is only a match to show the ability to swivel the stick. The winner is the group which has best technique of stick spinning (according to the juries).

4. Cultural Value

The Silambam as an art of self defense, if we pay deep attention, contains values which in turn could be used as a referent for daily lives. Those values are: health, discipline, self-confidence, solidarity, and sportive.

The health value in the Silambam is reflected from the steps and techniques of the actors, in exercises and competition. Practicing the steps and techniques, means the Silambam players have to move their head, shoulder, waist, feet, and hands. Moreover, when they should rotate the sticks in various techniques at the same time they use their energy to move their bodies. In doing so, they exercise most parts of their bodies. As the consequence, it will strengthen the muscles, swift blood circulation, and make healthy. It is undoubtedly that the Silambam practice contributes to physical health.

The next value of the Silambam is hard working spirit. Hard working is mirrored from the endeavors to master the steps and techniques in the self-defense art, especially when the competitor has to beat his opponent in the step 16, 32, and 64 only by moving out four part of his body (head, shoulder, waist, and feet). Without working hard, it is almost impossible to master all steps and techniques in the Silambam or beat the opponent in those steps. It is worth considering that hard working is a significant aspect in the Silambam.

Practicing the Silambam, like many other self defense arts, means preparing self to face unwanted possibilities, either related to self safety or to others who need help. Exercising the Silambam makes one having more self confidence, thus unafraid of the threat from others. Furthermore, he will hold spirit to help the unfortunate people. Based on the assessment, self confident is one of Silambam values.

Self discipline is another aspect required to learn self defense art of the Silambam. The discipline is both to the self and to the rules of the game. Without discipline, it is almost impossible to master all the steps and techniques in the Silambam. The indiscipline students will likely be dropped out from the institution. Thus, the discipline is very central value in learning the Silambam.

The Silambam self-defense art institution is much like a big family for its pupils. The students in the institution perceive others not only as friend but also as brothers and sisters. Friendship and brotherhood value will tie the pupils not to harm each other but to help one another. Even, they will sacrifice to save other pupils` safety. Hence, solidarity is most important point in the Silambam practice.

To sharpen the steps and techniques of the Silambam, self defense arts institution holds competing-exercises and real competitions. In those competitions, the spirit of sportive is required, since there will always the winner and the loser. Those who lose will accept the reality with big heart and acknowledge others superiority. Sportive spirit, in turn, is highlighted in the Silambam self defense art. (HQ/ter/80/11-07)

Source:

• http://asrul-manjoi.blogspot.com
• http://www.geocities.com  

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