Is Kali similar to Silat?

[ahlspiess]

Is Kali similar to Silat? In my home town in San Antonio, Texas, USA I tried to see if there any Silat teachers in town. Unfortunately, all I was able to find was Karate, Aikido, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do, and Kali studios. The Kenpo Karate teachers were telling me that Kali and Silat are similar, but I am not very sure about this. If it is found that Kali and Silat are not similar, then my only recourse is to return to what I was originally trained in which was a combination of Savate and Military Jujitsu (Military H2H). I could even consider studyng Brazilian Jujitsu (BJJ) if there are no alternatives left. Whether or not Kali is similar to Silat, I am going to keep looking for a good teacher or coach.

[Sgt_Major]

Its not dis-similar, if you know what I mean.

Having no major knowledge on Kali, I cant really go into detail, but from what I've seen, they look similar in some ways

[Ular Sawa]

Yes there are definite similiarities. However, the term "Silat" should be used in this context in a very broad term just as you would use the term "Kali". There are many systems of Silat just as there are of Kali, or the FMA. Some emphasize different elements in training. Some are more close range than others. I have found that they compliment each other well. There are definite differences but whether they are close enough for you depends on what you are looking for.

[Gajah Silat]

Very similar, obviously depending on style, but certainly related. I've done FMA hand drills that are indistinguishable from 'ours'.

One of the main differences is kali teaches weapons first empty hands later and Silat vice versa.

Talk to the guys & gals in the FMA section, I'm sure they'd be happy to enlighten you.

[pakehraja]

Ahlspiess, a tricky question. As there are hundreds of silat style out there, I can say that there are silat styles similar to Kali and there are silat styles that look nothing like kali.

[ICT]

Is Kali similar to Silat? In my home town in San Antonio, Texas, USA I tried to see if there any Silat teachers in town. Unfortunately, all I was able to find was Karate, Aikido, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do, and Kali studios. The Kenpo Karate teachers were telling me that Kali and Silat are similar, but I am not very sure about this. If it is found that Kali and Silat are not similar, then my only recourse is to return to what I was originally trained in which was a combination of Savate and Military Jujitsu (Military H2H). I could even consider studyng Brazilian Jujitsu (BJJ) if there are no alternatives left. Whether or not Kali is similar to Silat, I am going to keep looking for a good teacher or coach.

Ahlspiess,

This has been discussed before in great detail! Go to this message:

Difference between Silat, Kali, Arnis, Eskrima?
http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6849

Sincerely,
Teacher: Eddie Ivester