Padang (ANTARA) - The Tuo Silek Minangkabau association Luak Limopuluah, Irwandi, Pandeka Tareh Batimba said the issue that called learning Minangkabau silek must be in the night and secretly was just a myth.
"Learning Minangkabau silek can be morning or evening. It doesn't have to be at night, "he said at Payakumbuh on Tuesday.
He admitted that the previous generation indeed usually study at night in the teacher's house in secret. However, it is only a habit not an obligation.
According to him the habit originally originated from the use of silek as a self-fence. A master does not want his abilities to be measured by people so he goes to study at night.
After that, silek teachers usually also work during the day so they can only teach at night.
Then during the Dutch and Japanese occupation, the people were not allowed to gather together, and learn self-defense. Therefore silek learning is carried out clandestinely.
However, it turned out to bring up the myth that if the study is not night, it means not Minangkabau silek.
Irwandi said that this habit is now one of the obstacles that makes it difficult for young people to learn silek.
"Now we approach the tuo-tuo silek (master of silat) in order to open in the morning or evening. So that the younger generation wants to go back to learning silek, "he said.
He said Silek Art Festival, which was collaborated with Payakumbuh Alek Silek 2019, could also be an effort to bring people closer to their own traditional arts.
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Editor: Mutiara Ramadhani
Translated by: Internship Student of ANTARA 2019
Tuo silek: Learning silek minangkabau doesn't have at night
Tuo Silek Minangkabau Association Luak Limopuluah Irwandi, Pandeka Tareh Batimba (wearing a cap) with pandeka from the area and pandeka from Malaysia in Payakumbuh. (ANTARA SUMBAR / Miko Elfisha)
