Seni Gayung Fatani is a martial art, specifically a style of silat from Malaysia based on the art of war, the combination punch and kick striking, joint-locking and grappling techniques, and various type of melee weapon.[2][3]InMalay, the word seni means art and gayung is a word for martial arts, synonymous with silat.[1]Fatani means wise in Arabic and was chosen in 1976 by the councils of Guru Tua (Senior Masters). The first grandmaster of the silat is Tuan Guru Hj Anuar Abd. Wahab (1976–2009).[1] The second grandmaster was Tuan Guru Aminuddin Haji Anuar (2009–2023) and the current grandmaster of Seni Gayung Fatani Malaysia (from 2023) is Grandmaster Mohd Safwan Abu Hassan.[4]
Seni Gayung Fatani originated from the Malays Empire.[4] In 1840, it was brought to Kedah by Syeikh Abdul Rahman. The style was expanded upon by his son Tok Yah Ramli. Another of Abdul Rahman's students was Pak Teh Mat Ali who taught this style to Pak Andak Embong, who in turn passed it down to Tuan Guru Anuar Abdul Wahab.[5] When it was registered in 1976 as an association under the government's Society Act, it was formally renamed the Seni Gayung Fatani Association.[6]
Silat practitioners learn different styles of attacking and defensive skills such as Elakan (avoidance techniques), Tangkisan (blocking techniques), Tangkapan (catching techniques), Potong (counter-strikes), Amuk (rampaging with due diligence), and weaponry systems such as sickles, swords, cudgels, kris (a short wavy dagger), ropes, walking sticks made of hardwood, daggers with straight cutting edges, and trisulas.[4] Practical self-defense, unarmed self-defense, and self-defense with knives will also be taught at each silat level.[1]
This comprehensive training ensures that silat practitioners are prepared to handle various types of strikes, whether in one-on-one situations or group encounters.[4] The syllabus at each level explains how to navigate different fighting scenarios, reminiscent of strategies employed in ancient Malay warfare.[1] It is crucial to understand that Silat Malaysia teaches its students that prevention is better than cure; it's preferable to avoid a fight than to engage in one.[7] In silat, harming or killing others is prohibited, except in desperate situations where there is no alternative for defending oneself.[7] Fighting is seen as a last resort when there are no other solutions to prevent being killed.[5]
The organization produced martial arts books in Malay through collaboration with the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) in 2016.[8]
^ abcdeShapie, M.N.M., Elias, M.S., Anuar, A. (2016). Silat: The Heritage of Malaysia (Silat: Warisan Bangsa Malaysia). The National Department for Culture and Arts, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [In Malay]. (ISBN978-967-5552-62-5)
^Shapie, M.N.M., Elias, M.S., Ismail, S. and Hamid, N.A. (2015). Sumbangan Kurikulum Seni Silat Malaysia kepada Warisan dan Tamadun Melayu (Seni Silat Malaysia Curriculum contribution to Heritage and Malay civilization). In “e-Proceedings of the International Conference of Malay Heritage and Civilization (ICOMHAC), 16-17 Disember 2015, Century Helang Hotel, Pulau Langkawi,” Ibrahim S, Salamat ASA., and Zamhury N (eds.); p. 381-404. Langkawi: Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Kedah, Malaysia.
^ abShapie, M.N.M. and Elias, M.S. (2015). Silat Olahraga: The Malay Combat Sports. In: Kalina RM (ed.) Proceedings of the 1st World Congress on Health and Martial Arts in Interdisciplinary Approach, HMA 2015, 17–19 September 2015, Czestochowa, Poland; 2015. p. 212 Warsaw: Archives of Budo. (ISSN 2450-2650)
^ abcdeShapie, M.N.M. (2021). The Warrior Attitude (Sikap Pendekar) in Malay Silat Encouraging Malaysian Interest in Global Martial Arts and Combat Sports. In “Southeast Asian Martial Arts: A Unique and Complex Cultural Phenomenon,” Ryu, S., Lee, K. & Hwang, J. (eds); p. 26-95. Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea: International Centre of Martial Arts for Youth Development and Engagement under the auspices of UNESCO [ICM]: Chungju-si. (ISBN979-11-91300-23-9)
^ abAnuar Abd. Wahab (2007). Silat: The development history of traditional Malay silat and development of modern Silat Malaysia curriculum. Hizi Print, Bandar Baru Bangi
^Shapie, M.N.M. and Elias, M.S. (2016). Silat: The curriculum of Seni Silat Malaysia. Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas, 11 (2s), 122-125.
^ abAnuar, A.W. (2002). Pendidikan dan Nilai-nilai Murni dalam Seni Silat (Education and Noble Values in Martial Arts). In Ministry of Culture, Art and Heritage, Manual jurulatih dan ringkasan mengajar (Instructor manual and summary of coaching), Tahap 1, Seni Silat Malaysia Untuk Jurulatih (First level, Seni Silat Malaysia for coaches). Paperwork. Kuala Lumpur: Ministry of Culture, Art and Heritage.
^Shapie, M.N.M. (2020). Sports Science in SILAT: Application of Sports Science in Silat Training and Performance. Pertubuhan Seni Gayung Fatani Malaysia. Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. (ISBN978-983-44076-2-9)
^Shapie, M. N. M., Wahidah, T., Kusrin, J., Elias, M.S., Abdullah, N.M. (2019). Silat Tempur: An Overview of the Children’s Combat Sports. Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, Idokan Poland Association, 19 (1s), 55-61
Malaysia