HERE IS one story about how pencak silat, or the art of "fighting by many technique of self-defence", came to be.

A Sumatran woman who was fetching water from a well witnessed a fight between a tiger and a large bird. Both died in the battle.

The woman's angry husband arrived later to reprimand her for her tardiness with the water.

He became violent. But she repelled his attacks, using the movements of the fighting animals she saw earlier.

The couple made up and subsequently formalise the moves. Thus was silat founded.

It is just one legend the surrounds silat's origins in the Indonesian-Malay archipelago. Some historians trace its source way back to the Majapahit dynasty in Java in the 14th century.

It was since leapt into the global arena, spread in Indonesian immigrants who settled in Holland following the Dutch colonisation of the sprawling archipelago.

In Singapore, close to 15,000 people from age three to 80 practice the sport. Only 200 are non-Malays.

One reason for the lack of popularity among other races might be the perception the silat is a mystical art linked to religion, and Islam in particular.

Most martial arts involve an understanding of a particular belief or spritual system. And, as many silat teachers are Muslims, their belief systems inevitably reflect the tenets of Islam.

In Singapore, the sport took hit when four members of a clandestine silat group went around spreading rumors of an impending racial riots in 1987.They claimed the Chinese-Malay clashes would break out here on MAy 13, 1987, the anniversary of the 1969 riots in Malaysia.

The four wore red sashes and white sleeveless T-shirts bearing inceptions of Quranic verses, which they believed would protect them from bullets.

They also practiced their silat moves with sharpened daggers, swords and knives.

Before they could wield their weapons, they were arrested by the Internal Security Department in April 1987.

Eddie Nalapraya, the Indonesian president of the International Silat Federation, noted that, with 600 styles of silat in Indonesia alone, some would inevitably involve praying.

"But even these are not limited to Islam. In the US and Europe, practitioners who are not Muslim also say their own prayers during training to ask for blessings.

"These are definitely not common though."

This perception that silat is only for Muslims, as it involves Islamic rituals, is something the Singapore Silat Federation wants to eliminate.

Formed in 1976, it has been working with the international body to establish silat as a purely competitive sport.

Said its chief executive Sheik Alauddin: "We have cut out all aspects of religions or spirituality from modern-day silat to make it a global sport that is accessible to everyone."

While individuals are free to say their own prayers, the federation keeps a close eye on clubs and schools to prevent a repeat of the events of 1987.

To make the aport more accessible, the federation has been printing its publicity materials and posters in English instead of Malay from about 10 years ago.

Of the 103 community centers in Singapore, close to 95 per cent offer silat training. There are also 35 silat clubs.

The sport is being offered asa co-curricular activity in 13 primary and secondary schools and is part of the curriculum at Singapore Sports School.

Sheik thinks the all-black uniforms worn by silat practitioners may have contributed to its mystical image.

"Black uniforms are more intimidating than the white outfits used by other martial arts like judo or karate.

"People have also tended to see silat as a ritualistic 'kampung' sport."

This "kampung" sport, however, won for Singapore three golds at the 1999 South-east Asia Games.

It was the first time silat had achieved such success at the SEA Games and Sheik, who was one of the winners, believes this kicked off its widening popularity here.

And , slowly but surely, more non-Malays have been picking it up.

Jacklyn Kuah, 28, a freelance theatre performer, tool up the sport six months ago with two colleagues to improve their fitness.

"We never really had the perception that it was only for Malays or Muslims," she said.

"We knew that it had its origins in Malaysia and Indonesia. But that's the same as karate having its roots in Japan.

It does not mean that only Japanese people can practice karate."

In other parts of the world, silat exponents see the arts as simply a sport.

Belgian university student Kristof van Bladel, 24, picked it up at the age of six.

"My uncle was practicing it and we have a silat club in Amtwerp that is 25 years old.

"There, silat has even been adapted to suit the taller, less flexible physiques of Europeans."

He is here for the Singapore Open Championship, which started on Friday and end today. The event was held alongside the 2nd World Junior Championships.

American Taylor Elkins, 15, who was taking part in his forth tournament here after picking up silat a year ago, views it as a practical from a self-defence.

"I never thought too much about the origins. It just appealed to me as a very practical arts without too many flashy moves.

"I enjoy it very much and would definitely recommend it to my friends."

With more pugilists like Taylor, it will not be long before silat kicks down the doors of tradition and becomes a main-stream martial art.

SILAT, like most martial involves the use of kicks, punches, throws and leg sweeps to defeat an opponent.

Hits to the head are banned, and heavy chest padding and groin- and mouth guards are worn.

There are two competitive categories in silat: the artistic (Seni) and match sparring (Tanding).

In both categories, tactical ability and technique, self-control, artistry and physical fitness and endurance all play a part.

In Tanding, two opponents square off for three two-minutes rounds separated by a minute's rest.

Judges award single points for a successful punch, two for a kick and three for dropping an opponent on the ground, either by throwing or sweeping him of his feet.

There are different weight classes and age groups.

Before engaging their opponents, exponents stalk each other while using stylish movements that are part of the cultural heritage of the sport.

But, once the action heats up, it is all about power, speed and agility.

In Seni competition, there are three events: singles, doubles and trios.

For the single and trios' events, exponents perform technical movements for three minutes and must executes these in a standard order, with correct form, rhythm and balance.

In the doubles they perform choreographed movements to attack and defend. They use both bare hands and weapons within a three-minute period.

The weapons used include the keris (dagger), pedang (sword), parang (machete) and lembing (spear).

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