Self Defense Moves – What is Tempur Seni?

Website design By BotEap.comTempur silat is divided into two sections in self defense movements; Tempur Seni (the art of self-defense combat that is practically done with a partner) and Tempur Beladiri (the fast action of sparring combat that can be practiced with two or more opponents). Due to the lack of understanding of the term tempur seni itself, even in the silat community, this article will cover the term for these soft sparring actions, how to apply it, and why it is important to develop tempur seni along with other silat sparring skills. silat in martial arts fighting.

Website design By BotEap.comTempur seni is an application of silat fists with bare hand imitation for the act of striking styles such as stabbing with keris (kris) or badik (dolk), cutting with parang (machete), pedang (sword) or sundang, and cutting with sword, kapak (shaft) and so on. The methodology of the attack with combat weapons and the reception of blows are preserved in tempur seni, which are based on an action of striking with traditional silat weapons. A signal is given once the silat exponent tends to hit his partner with his bare hand using the weaponry symbol or sign.

Website design By BotEap.comThe tempur seni combat action is performed using specific arrangement procedures to preserve the originality of tempur seni which are based on the art of warfare in the Malay civilization. Here are the procedures;

Website design By BotEap.com1. Both silat exponents present their own Bunga Silat as a mark of respect to the guru and silat schools, either together or separately. Normally, the performance will be accompanied by standard Malaysian silat music.

Website design By BotEap.com2. Both silat exponents will perform the Tapak Empat. Tapak empat is a movement that needs the exponent to move in four angles (rectangular/square) through Tapal using langkah (step) silat. A Tapal means the way to an angle/direction. At all angles, the silat exponent will perform the Tapak Empat Beladiri (self defense moves) movements.

Website design By BotEap.com3. When both silat exponents reach the angle of the original/starting point, they will perform the Tapak Empat Beladiri towards the center of the Medan Laga (fight/compound area).

Website design By BotEap.com4. Both silat exponents must do Langkah Melilit (wrapped or circling each other) in Tapak Bulat (center of the ring) in advance, back up and change direction and will move using Galah Panjang (the movements while waiting or striking) either in one way or in the opposite way to each other.

Website design By BotEap.com5. Both silat exponents alternately perform a counterattack using the right or left hand. When one exponent attacks, another defends. Three types of Serang Seni (the art of attack), such as Tikam (stab), Parang (chop), and Tetak (hack or notch) will be performed between each exponent. While the art of receiving the attack known as Sambut Seni. The seven sambut seni are; Tangkap (to catch the blows), Sentak (to throw down), Kedu (to flex the arm down to counter), Tindih (to overlap the other’s weak point), Sisip (to insert the hand to free itself from being blocked) , Sagang (to be in a position of alertness) and Potong (to counterattack the opponent). These techniques will be developed in stages from selapis (when a person attacks another who receives or counterattacks), berlapis (attack and defend alternating with each other), berangkai (when both silat exponents separate due to the silat technique, both of them will continue back with another blow other than serang seni) and so on.

Website design By BotEap.com6. Various signals were composed to facilitate fighting techniques such as Simbor (the signal to change the striking technique) and Paras (to stop the fight). Both silat exponents will perform bunga silat at the end of the fight or match to close the match.

Website design By BotEap.comTempur Seni emphasizes ecstatic and scientific values. It is a game played by people in the field or gatherings that has its own fighting meanings and secrets. Tempur seni is also known as Silat Pulut or Gayung Pulut. It tests the level of fighting techniques for each silat exponent and at the same time shares the experience and increases the level of silat knowledge or movements between the exponents.

Website design By BotEap.comGenerally, the tempur seni training will be accompanied by silat music known as Muzik Silat Baku. The music team consists of Gendang Ibu (main drums), Gendang Anak (small drum), Gong and Serunai (bagpipes). The rhythm played is divided into two rhythms which are Irama Tari (dance tune) and Irama Tempur (fight tune). The dance tune is slower than the last one. While the fight tune is fast and can increase the spirit level. Any silat exponent who has already achieved a red or black belt can fight other opponents who are not in the same silat school. Therefore, it is important for the exponent to train harder to master all the self defense moves in tempur seni to face another opponent from a variety of silat martial arts styles.