Pencak silat is an Indonesian martial art that has gone global. The term "pencak" is widely used in Java, while the term "silat" is used in Sumatra and Kalimantan. This martial art was originally spread through oral and various stories, such as legends in one region to another until it spread throughout the archipelago. Not surprisingly, during the royal era, the kingdoms of Majapahit and Sriwijaya were said to be very good at fighting. This is because these two kingdoms had warriors who mastered high pencak silat knowledge, so they could win when fighting against enemies.

Of the many martial arts in the archipelago that are spread from Sabang to Merauke, one of the most famous is Silat Harimau from Minangkabau. The Minang people believe that tiger silat is Silek Tuo. Although one of these cultural treasures was almost eroded by the influx of cultures from outside Indonesia, this silat still survives and is starting to become popular again through action genre films that contain scenes with this martial art, not only in Indonesia but worldwide.

In silat tiger, there is a great teacher named Datuk Edwel Yusri Datuak Rajo Gampo Alam. Datuk Edwel received his tiger silat heritage directly from his great-grandfather, Inyiak Angguik, who was known for his hereditary telepathy with Sumatran tigers in his jungle home during the colonial era. From that tiger, Inyiak Angguik practiced his silat moves under his stilt house, and this silat was born.

The moves in the tiger silat style are truly inspired by the movements of the tiger. Starting from the stance, the alert attitude, and the attacking movements exactly resemble the movements of a tiger. Not only that, this martial art also has a weapon called kurambik, a small knife that represents a tiger's claw. There is also a myth that develops that if a fighter who masters tiger silat, then he will later transform into a tiger.

Tiger silat has beautiful and agile movements, but behind the beautiful movements are deadly attacks that are used to immobilize opponents very quickly. Sounds scary, right? But don't worry, the fighters are taught two purposes of learning this martial art, which is not to hurt others but for self-defense. In addition, silat also teaches its fighters to form good mentality and morals, instill family values, and friendship.

"Alam takambang jadi guru", that is the philosophy adopted by the Minang people, which means that humans live learning from nature and all living things in it. Life follows the rules of nature so that human relations with nature become harmonious and respectful. The tiger becomes a teacher, and humans imitate the tiger's strong, charismatic and agile character. Silat Harimau is one example that nature teaches humans many things.

If nature is destroyed and tigers become extinct, the long-standing relationship between humans and nature is severed. This means that the very spirit of the culture that is part of our identity will be lost.