Silat (Indonesia, Yogyakarta)

In Indonesia , Pencak Silat goes beyond the notion of a martial art: it is a living cultural system that combines self-defense , choreography , music , spirituality , and the transmission of community values . Recognized in 2019 by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage , it symbolizes the unity in the diversity of the archipelago.

In Yogyakarta , a royal city and a center of Javanese culture, silat is taught from a very young age, in public schools , pesantren (traditional Islamic schools) and perguruan (local clubs), each of which transmits a distinct regional style . There are Minangkabau , Bugis , Chinese , or Sufi influences, depending on the lineage.

This photograph shows a group training session in the alun-alun , the large public square located in front of the kraton (sultan's palace). These gatherings are common during national holidays , grade assessments , or social cohesion events. The choice of a red uniform is not insignificant: in Indonesia, red is associated with vital force and fighting spirit .

In several marginalized regions such as Papua , Aceh , or the urban peripheries of Java , silat also becomes an act of cultural resistance : it allows a local identity to be affirmed in the face of national homogenization, and to transmit community values ​​such as respect, discipline and the memory of elders.