Although better known worldwide as a type of martial arts, Pencak Silat is actually an Indonesian tradition that has been transmitted over many generations. In addition to its sporting aspect, the Pencak Silat tradition also encompasses the aspects of mental-spiritual, self-defense, and art. The term Pencak Silat is formed from two words, which are pencak and silat. The term "pencak" is better known in Java, while the term "silat" or "silek" is better known in West Sumatra, to describe a group of martial arts which have many similarities. In addition to using local terms, each region has their own move, style, accompaniment music, and unique supporting equipment. The moves and styles in Pencak Silat are strongly influenced by various elements of art. These moves and styles are a unity of body movement (wiraga), movement feeling (wirasa), and movement fit to the accompaniment music (wirama). The supporting equipment for Pencak Silat includes costumes, music instruments, and traditional weapons. Pencak Silat practitioners are taught to maintain their relationship with God, human beings, and nature. These practitioners are also trained in various techniques to deal with attacks or other dangerous situations based on principles to protect him or herself as well as others, avoid harming the offender, and build comradeships. Pencak Silat is often performed during various ritual ceremonies and celebrations. Men and women of all ages, as well as the disabled, can all practice Pencak Silat. They usually will learn in Pencak Silat schools or academic schools from kindergarten to college.

Indonesia 2019

Uzbek martial art originates from ancient times. This is evidenced by archaeological finds found in our country. Also in later times, Amir Temur also paid great attention to martial arts. His army consisted of horse and foot warriors. They used various weapons available at that time, incendiary mixtures and other devices. At the same time, it was required of the soldiers to master the art of hand-to-hand combat and delivering point blows to the enemy without weapons. Uzbek martial art has its own distinctive features in comparing the methods of combat without weapons mainly available to the peoples of the Far East.

The Chinese tradition of Yueju opera combines Mandarin operatic traditions and Cantonese dialect. Rooted in the Cantonese-speaking provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi in south-eastern China, Yueju opera is characterized by a combination of string and percussion instruments, with elaborate costumes and face painting. It also incorporates stunts and fights using real weapons and drawing on the Shaolin martial arts, as illustrated by the central Wenwusheng role that demands proficiency in both singing and fighting. It has developed a rich repertoire of stories ranging from historical epics to more realistic descriptions of daily life.

China 2009

The culture of pehlevans (pehlevanliq) refers to variety of traditional physical performances, training and competitions practiced and transmitted from generation to generation by ‘pehlevans’ (traditional athletes/wrestlers). It includes zorkhana games and sports, pehlevan wrestling (‘gulesh’), and individual pehlevan performances at outdoor celebrations and various popular events. While zorkhana games and sports used to be performed in special buildings bearing the same name (‘houses of strength’, with arenas (“sufra”), surrounded by spectators), they were destroyed in early 20th century during the Soviet period. Despite the destruction of zorkhanas, pehlevans’ performances continued to be transmitted and became popular in early 1990s, when Azerbaijan regained its independence. Communities continue to use the term ‘zorkhana’ to refer mainly to their performances. Originally framed as training activities of athletes for military purposes (State of Safavids, 16th century), zorkhanas, with time, completely lost their original function, while remaining a part of culture. Today, dozens of pehlevans perform in Azerbaijan. In zorkhanas, pehlevans use specific tools (‘mil’,‘yekba’,‘kebbade’), which imitate Middle Age weapons (sword, shield, bow), but are made heavier (originally, to allow pehlevans handle real weapons easily). The gulesh wrestling is a type of zorkhana performances, requiring specific skills and regulated by set of rules. The competitions are regulated by referees and accompanied by “Jangi” music or naghara drums fast beating. Pehlevans also perform outside zorkhana sports, through weightlifting, pulling heavy objects and other displays of bodily strength. The pehlevanliq culture represents integral part of popular culture and gives strong sense of identity to communities in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan 2022