What is Pencak Silat?
A dynamic martial art with deep roots in Southeast Asia. Originally from Indonesia, now practiced in more than 130 countries. Pencak Silat combines explosive technique, artistic expression, and mental strength.
The four aspects of Pencak Silat
Within Pencak Silat, there are four core values that together form the basis for the development of every Pesilat. These aspects are inseparably connected: a full-fledged practitioner is not only physically strong but also possesses character, cultural awareness, and wisdom.
Sport and Competition
Physical performance and competitive sport
- Promoting physical fitness, sports performance, and competition-oriented skills
- Includes physical training, technique, tactics, and mental preparation for competitions
- Manifested in Tanding competitions and official national and international competitions
Jurus
The artistic and cultural dimension
- Showcasing the beauty of movement, rhythm, and cultural expression
- Preserving and passing on traditions and cultural heritage (UNESCO 2019)
- Visible in the competition categories Tunggal, Ganda, Regu, and Solo Creative
Bela Diri
Self-defense and protection
- Develop the ability to defend yourself and others
- Includes attacks, kicks, grips, holds, throws, and tactical combat skills
- The emphasis is on effectiveness, vigilance, and responsible use of these skills
Mental Spiritual / Pernafasan
The inner strength of the Pesilat
- Shaping character, personality, discipline, and self-control
- Embedding moral values, ethics, and respectful behavior
- Developing self-confidence, a sense of responsibility, and inner peace
These four aspects reinforce and complement each other. A Pesilat who balances these principles is not only a strong athlete but also someone with a strong character, respect for the cultural roots of the sport, and the ability to apply his or her knowledge responsibly. Within the international Pencak Silat community, these four pillars form the foundation on which modern practice is built.
International Rules & Regulations
The official competition rules established by IPSF-PERSILAT, the international Pencak Silat federation founded on March 11, 1980.
Competition Rules & Regulations
The full competition regulations for all international Pencak Silat championships. Contains rules for Tanding, Seni (Tunggal, Ganda, Regu, Solo Creative), weight classes, judging, and equipment.
Download PDFUpdated Rules & Regulations
The revised edition of the competition regulations, valid from February 25, 2026. These rules apply to all international championships officially recognized by IPSF-PERSILAT.
Download PDF (2026)Source: worldpencaksilat.org
Member countries
Pencak Silat is practiced in more than 130 countries, organized via national federations and continental bodies.
Afghanistan
Asia
No federation information
Albania
Europe
No federation information
Algeria
Africa
Comite National Pencak Silat Algeria
Andorra
Europe
No federation information
Angola
Africa
No federation information
Argentina
Americas
No federation information
Armenia
Asia
Armenia Pencak Silat Federation
Australia
Oceania
Australian Pencak Silat Federation
Austria
Europe
Pencak Silat Verband Osterreich
Azerbaijan
Asia
Azerbaijan Pencak Silat Federation
Bahrain
Asia
No federation information
Bangladesh
Asia
Bangladesh Pencak Silat Association
Belarus
Europe
No federation information
Belgium
Europe
Belgium Pencak Silat Federation
Benin
Africa
No federation information
Bolivia
Americas
No federation information
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Europe
No federation information
Botswana
Africa
No federation information
Brazil
Americas
Brazil Pencak Silat Federation
Brunei
Asia
Persekutuan Pencak Silat Kebangsaan Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Europe
No federation information
Cambodia
Asia
No federation information
Cameroon
Africa
No federation information
Canada
Americas
Canada Pencak Silat Federation
Chile
Americas
No federation information
China
Asia
No federation information
Colombia
Americas
No federation information
Congo
Africa
No federation information
Costa Rica
Americas
No federation information
Croatia
Europe
No federation information
Cuba
Americas
No federation information
Cyprus
Europe
Cyprus Pencak Silat Federation
Czech Republic
Europe
No federation information
Denmark
Europe
No federation information
Ecuador
Americas
No federation information
Egypt
Africa
Egyptian Pencak Silat Association
Estonia
Europe
Estonian Pencak Silat Federation
Ethiopia
Africa
No federation information
Fiji
Oceania
No federation information
Finland
Europe
No federation information
France
Europe
France Pencak Silat Federation
Georgia
Asia
No federation information
Germany
Europe
German Pencak Silat Federation
Ghana
Africa
Ghana Pencak Silat Federation
Greece
Europe
No federation information
Hong Kong
Asia
No federation information
Hungary
Europe
No federation information
Iceland
Europe
No federation information
India
Asia
Indian Pencak Silat Federation
Indonesia
Asia
Ikatan Pencak Silat Indonesia (IPSI)
Iran
Asia
Iran Pencak Silat Federation
Iraq
Asia
Iraqi Central Committee of Pencak Silat
Ireland
Europe
No federation information
Israel
Asia
No federation information
Italy
Europe
No federation information
Jamaica
Americas
No federation information
Japan
Asia
Japan Pencak Silat Association
Jordan
Asia
No federation information
Kazakhstan
Asia
Pencak Silat Association of Kazakhstan
Kenya
Africa
No federation information
Kuwait
Asia
Kuwait Pencak Silat Association
Kyrgyzstan
Asia
Kyrgyz Republic Pencak Silat Federation
Laos
Asia
Lao National Pencak Silat Federation
Latvia
Europe
No federation information
Lebanon
Asia
No federation information
Libya
Africa
No federation information
Lithuania
Europe
No federation information
Luxembourg
Europe
No federation information
Macao
Asia
No federation information
Malaysia
Asia
Malaysia Silat Federation
Mexico
Americas
No federation information
Moldova
Europe
No federation information
Mongolia
Asia
No federation information
Montenegro
Europe
No federation information
Morocco
Africa
No federation information
Mozambique
Africa
No federation information
Myanmar
Asia
Myanmar Pencak Silat Federation
Nepal
Asia
No federation information
Netherlands
Europe
Nederlandse Pencak Silat Federatie (NPSF)
New Zealand
Oceania
No federation information
Nigeria
Africa
Nigeria Pencak Silat Association
Norway
Europe
No federation information
Oman
Asia
No federation information
Pakistan
Asia
Pakistan Pencak Silat Federation
Palestine
Asia
No federation information
Panama
Americas
No federation information
Papua New Guinea
Oceania
No federation information
Paraguay
Americas
No federation information
Peru
Americas
No federation information
Philippines
Asia
Philsilat Sports Association
Poland
Europe
No federation information
Portugal
Europe
Portugal Pencak Silat Federation
Qatar
Asia
No federation information
Romania
Europe
No federation information
Russia
Europe
Russian Pencak Silat Federation
Saudi Arabia
Asia
No federation information
Senegal
Africa
Federation Senegalaise de Pencak Silat
Serbia
Europe
No federation information
Singapore
Asia
Singapore Silat Federation
Slovakia
Europe
No federation information
Slovenia
Europe
No federation information
South Africa
Africa
South Africa Pencak Silat Association
South Korea
Asia
Korea Pencak Silat Federation
Spain
Europe
No federation information
Sri Lanka
Asia
Sri Lanka National Pencak Silat Federation
Sudan
Africa
No federation information
Suriname
Americas
Surinaamse Pencak Silat Associatie
Sweden
Europe
No federation information
Switzerland
Europe
Pencak Silat Verband Schweiz
Syria
Asia
No federation information
Taiwan
Asia
No federation information
Tajikistan
Asia
No federation information
Tanzania
Africa
No federation information
Thailand
Asia
Pencak Silat Association of Thailand
Timor-Leste
Asia
No federation information
Tunisia
Africa
No federation information
Turkey
Asia
Turkiye National Pencak Silat Federation
Turkmenistan
Asia
Pencak Silat Federation of Turkmenistan
Uganda
Africa
No federation information
Ukraine
Europe
Federation of Pencak Silat of Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Asia
UAE Pencak Silat Community
United Kingdom
Europe
Pencak Silat Federation of United Kingdom
United States
Americas
United States Sport Silat Association
Uruguay
Americas
No federation information
Uzbekistan
Asia
Uzbekistan Pencak Silat Federation
Venezuela
Americas
Venezuela Pencak Silat Federation
Vietnam
Asia
No federation information
Zimbabwe
Africa
No federation information
Source: worldpencaksilat.org
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