Perisai Diri
Perisai Diri is a martial art originating from Indonesia. Silat is an Indonesian term given to the combatitive arts. "Perisai Diri" is practical and non sportative. The term "Perisai Diri" literally mean shield of oneself.
Perisai Diri was founded by the Pendekar Raden Mas Soebandiman Dirdjoatmodjo with the assistance of the Pendekar Imam Ramelan in Surabaya, Indonesia, on July 2, 1955. Dirdjoatmodjo or more popular with his nick-name Pak De, was born in the Paku Alaman Palace, Yogyakarta, on January 8, 1913. Perisai Diri was created by Pak De based on a combination of various silat styles such as East Javanese Silat (silat from East Java), Minangkabau (West Sumateran Silat), Betawi Silat (original Jakarta Silat), Cimande and Kuningan (West Java Silat), Wushu (Chinese martial arts), and other war styles of many tribes across Indonesia.
Pak De passed away in Surabaya in 1983. In order to honor his contributions to the development of silat, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia granted him with The Title of "Pendekar Purna Utama".
Today, beside those in Indonesia, Perisai Diri schools can be found in Australia, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Techniques of Perisai Diri
Perisai Diri was created with many different styles in mind. With the quick and elusive bird techniques and the vicious overwhelming power of the tiger and dragon technique. Also incorporated into Perisai Diri is the human techniques such as the warrior, monk and princess. The Princess and monk form are reserved for the higher levels as the require a higher understanding of the techique, however this does not mean lower levels cannot learn or use them
Technique Minangkabau
Technique Minangkabau originated in the Minangkabau region. According to Minang folklore a war broke out between the West Sumatrans and the Javanese. In order to decide the war a battle between each sides water buffoloes was conducted. The Javanese produces the most largest, vicious and angry buffalo. The West Sumatrans simply supplied a young calf with razors upon its young horns. The large buffalo not seeing the threat allowed the young calf close as it came to suckle milk. Upon it trying to suckle it sliced the large buffoloes stomach, making the young buffalo the victor.
The technique is much like the point of this story. Seemingly harmless yet brutal in its application.
Technique Minangkabau is very useful to be used in ground fighting.
Technique Burung Mliwis (Bird Technique #1)
Based on a very fast and agile water foul, that hopps around catching fish and insects, this technique uses light and evasive movements with powerful but precise strikes, made with the finger tips together to form a beak shape.