Silat (also called Pencak Silat, which means « to defend oneself ») is a family of martial arts native to Southeast Asia. It is believed to have originated from ancient Malaysian, Indonesian and Majapahit (southern Filipino) civilisations. It is not easy to trace the history of Silat because written documentation is limited and the art has been essentially handed down orally from the gurus or masters. Still, all the experts believe that our Malay ancestors created and used Silat as a form of self-defense already in prehistoric times.

Maphilindo Silat (Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia) is a blend of various systems, created by Guro Dan Inosanto, to honour the teachings of his different Silat masters. Maphilindo combines these Silat styles, using empty hand strikes, elbows, knees and kicks, and gives particular emphasis to off-balancing the opponent and destroying vital nerve points. It also integrates the use of different knives and blades, such as the kerambit (the tiger’s claw), and soft weapons such as the sarong, malong and ika, which appear as ordinary garments but serve as efficient tools of self-defense.

Designed for survival rather than for sport or tournaments, Maphilindo Silat teaches students how to rapidly neutralise an attacker with the least amount of effort. Because many of the sweeps, throws and off-balancing techniques are based on body physics rather than brute strength, the techniques can be used effectively by anyone, regardless of size or strength. In addition to being a formidable method of combat and survival, Maphilindo Silat is an art that strengthens and restores the body in the same way as Yoga and Qi Gong.

In Switzerland, the Martial Institute Geneva is the only school that offers Maphilindo Silat classes based on the curriculum of Magulang Na Guro Dan Inosanto.