Pencak Silat Traditional Minang society was based around matrilineal custom, so pencak silat was commonly practiced by women. As pencak silat became widespread in Srivijaya, the empire was defeated by the Tamil Cholas of south India in the 13th century. The Tamil stick fighting art of silambam is still the most common Indian fighting system in Southeast Asia today. During the 13th century, Ken Arok, a thug turned into a self made hero and ruler, took over the power from Kediri Kingdom and established the Rajasa Dynasty. This is pretty much reflected the "jago" (people's champion) culture of ancient Java, where a
Pencak Silat Sunda" or "silat Bandung". In the Sundanese language they are generically referred to as "penca" (dialect form of pencak), "ameng", "ulin" or "maen po" (from the word "main" meaning "play"). Ameng is the more respectful term, while ulin and maen po are of lower speech levels. Sunda systems are easily identified by the prefix "ci" (spelled "tji" by the Dutch). Pronounced "chi", it comes from the Sundanese word "cai" meaning river water, alluding to the fact that they were originally developed in river-basin areas. The deep, wide stance and resulting gait attests to this, owing to the practice of carefully