Silat in the literary tradition can be traced back to the old hikayat or epics which became popular as literacy spread among Southeast Asian commoners, specifically commoners from the Malay Peninsula beginning around the 13th century.

Realistic Timeframe for Learning Silat On average, a beginner level in Silat can take anywhere from 1 to 2 years to achieve, while an intermediate level can take 2 to 3 years. An advanced level can take 3 years or more, depending on the individual's progress and commitment to their practice.

Silat is actually an umbrella term for martial arts in Indonesian Archipelago + Malay Peninsula and some island of Phillipines just like Kungfu for Chinese Martial Arts. It was called by different names such as Silek in West Sumatra, Penca in West Java, and Pencak in rest of Java.

One of the key reasons why Silat is so effective in street combat is its emphasis on fluidity and adaptability.