Indonesians present Pencak Silat, Minang culture

The Indonesian embassy in Doha, in collaboration with Qatar Museums, Qatar Foundation and with the support of the Indonesian Community Association in Qatar (Permiqa) as well as the ministry of education and culture of Indonesia, held an event on February 14 to promote the philosophical tradition of Pencak Silat in Qatar.
Five renowned athletes and performers of Pencak Silat demonstrated their skill at Multaqa Plaza, Education City, at the event, held in conjunction with the celebration of Qatar National Sport Day and Qatar-Indonesia Year of Culture, an embassy statement said.
'Pencak Silat' is a traditional sport deeply rooted in cultural heritage, values, and philosophies.
‘Pencak’ means traditional movements in traditional attire accompanied by traditional music, while ‘Silat’ means the techniques of self-defence.
Pencak Silat is a complex form of traditional martial art which also emphasises mental, spiritual, self-defence, and artistic aspects.
The evidence of Pencak Silat’s origin starts from the 6th century, but it might be inherited long before any documented records.
Traditional sports are usually taught and passed down from generation to generation orally. In 2019, Pencak Silat was inscribed on the 'Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity' by Unesco, which recognised that the traditional sport has become the identity and unification of the Indonesian nation, because it contains the values of friendship, mutual respect, and promotes social cohesion.
"I believe nothing unites the world better than sport," said Indonesian ambassador to Qatar, Ridwan Hassan.
IKM (Minang Family Association in Qatar), in collaboration with Indonesian embassy in Qatar, Permiqa and with the support from Qatar's Ministry of Culture and Qatar Museums held an exhibition of Minang Culture at Bait al-Sulaiti, on February 16.
A wide variety of cultural performances such as traditional dances, music, and a three-dimension story about Minang culture enriched the event, held as part of the celebration of Qatar-Indonesia Year of Culture 2023, a statement from the embassy said.
Minang or Minangkabau is an indigenous ethnic group that inhabits the Minangkabau Highlands in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The Minangkabau customary principle is reflected in the statement 'Adat Basandi Syarak, Syarak Basandi Kitabullah' meaning that Minangkabau principles and customs are based on Shariah (Islamic law), sourced from the Holy Qur'an. In social life, people in Minangkabau uphold egalitarian values or togetherness, as stated in the statement 'Duduak samo randah, tagak samo tinggi', meaning 'sit low, stand high', aims to always be on the same level as others.
Also presented at the event was the world-renowned Minang cuisine, heavily influenced by Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine with the richness of spices. The Minang cuisine also reflects a set of local wisdom and values.