Pencak silat was recognized as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity from Indonesia by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) on December 12, 2019. Pencak silat made its debut in the 1987 Southeast Asian Games and 2018 Asian Games, both held in Indonesia. Pencak silat is included in the Southeast Asian Games and other region-wide competitions. The organisation was established on 11 March 1980 in Jakarta and consists of the national organisations of Brunei Darussalam ( Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan Brunei Darussalam) (PERSIB), Indonesia ( Ikatan Pencak Silat Indonesia) (IPSI), Malaysia ( Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan) (PESAKA), and Singapore ( Persekutuan Silat Singapura) (PERSISI). The International Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF), or PERSILAT ( Persekutuan Pencak Silat Antarabangsa), is the international pencak silat governing organization and the only pencak silat organisation recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia. There are hundreds of different pencak silat styles ( aliran) and schools ( perguruan) which tend to focus either on strikes, joint manipulation, weaponry, or some combination thereof. Pencak silat was practiced not only for physical defense but also for psychological ends.

Every part of the body is used and subject to attack. It is a full-body fighting form incorporating strikes, grappling and throwing in addition to weaponry. In neighbouring countries, the term usually refers to professional competitive silat. Pencak silat ( Indonesian pronunciation: in Western writings sometimes spelled 'pentjak silat' or phonetically as 'penchak silat') is an umbrella term for a class of related Indonesian martial arts. International Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF) Silat Harimau), Mancak, Ulu Ambek/Alau Ambek, Sewah, Galuik ( West Sumatera) Bepencak ( Bangka) Pencé ( Banten) Silat ( West Java, Special Capitol Region of Jakarta, Banten, Central Java, East Java, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Bali) Penca, Amengan, Ulinan, Maénpo, Usik, Heureuy ( West Java) Maen Pukulan (Special Capitol Region of Jakarta) Akeket, Okol, Penthengan ( Madura, East Java) Encak, Pencakan ( East Java) Pencak (Special Region of Yogyakarta, East Java, Bali) Kuntau ( West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan) Langga ( Gorontalo), Amanca ( South Sulawesi) Pakuttau ( West Sulawesi), Mencak, Kuntuh ( West Nusa Tenggara). Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship

Silek lanyah is always performed in a muddy paddy field. Two men performing Silek lanyah (one of pencak silat), traditional martial arts of the Minangkabau people in West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Aliran pencak silat