786 International Silat Federation of America at Yale

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Bapak Waleed Returns to Yale University

Bapak Waleed, Director of the International Silat Federation of America, has recently returned to the United States after his historical “International Tour” that included nearly six months spent in the homeland of Silat Tuo and Minangkabau: West Sumatra, Indonesia. One of his first stops upon returning stateside was Yale University. Bapak Waleed was invited to the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, where he met with David Heiser, Head of Education and Outreach. Bapak shared with David some of the many adventures he had while abroad, including pictures of the various historical sites and the traditional cultural festivals where he was honored as an official guest.

…at the Yale Peabody Museum, July, 2007

Bapak Waleed spent a lot of his time in Padang, West Sumatra as the personal invited guest of Drs. H. Fauzi Bahar, the Mayor of Padang. Bapak Waleed was asked to give presentations and collaborate with officials on programs for the cultural, community, and economic development of the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra. In addition, Bapak Waleed spent time visiting and building a documentary on the many historical and culturally significant sites as well as museums throughout the countryside.

Bapak also frequented the famous historic Pagaruyung Palace, both before and after it was burned by lightning. On the grounds of that site, an important cultural center of the Minangkabau, Bapak Waleed demonstrated Traditional Silat Tuo and later filmed a humanitarian appeal for relief with the Mayor of Padang. Also while in Padang, Bapak was invited to the Traditional Silat Festival 2007, hosted by the pendekars of Silat from the region, during which he was acknowledged and recognized amongst the elders and pendekars of Silat Tuo, Silek Minangkabau, and Seni Silat. Over 5000 students, spectators, and elder teachers from the schools and pesantrens throughout West Sumatra attended in order to showcase their traditional Silat demonstrations and present many other Silat systems as well. With excitement in the air, all attendees rushed to the center field as the call was sounded. Bapak was part of the circle of elders attending and he performed with other elders in the ‘play’ and the demonstration of the old ways.

Local dignitaries, the highly recognized pendekars of West Sumatra, and various teachers of other old Silat systems all pledged their support of Bapak Waleed and in his efforts toward reviving the traditional culture of West Sumatra, Indonesia. They have seen his success in sharing and spreading that culture around the globe and especially in the United States through theater, dance, productions, and community service. Bapak also shared with David Heiser some of his experiences and visits with the Mayor of Padang, Drs. H. Fauzi Bahar, and the joint initiatives and collaborative educational programs they collaborated on and are undertaking in reestablishing Silat in the school systems. Bapak Waleed was asked to spearhead different initiatives to develop programs for youths and university students alike.

David Heiser was very pleased to see and hear of Bapak’s successes and was excited about possible future collaborations, potential development of children’s programs, and ideas for unique displays touching the areas of ancient cultures, anthropology, and ethnic studies. These endeavors and exchanges would greatly benefit communities with new educational opportunities both here and in Indonesia.

On behalf of the International Silat Federation of America at Yale, we would like to thank David Heiser for his support and recognition here at Yale and the continuing efforts of building bridges between community and the university with educational and child development programs.

For more information on Bapak’s adventures in Indonesia, visit internationalsilatfederation.com. For more information on the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, see yale.edu/peabody.

Bapak Waleed at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History

Program Brief Description

Leonardo Stoute "Bapak Waleed", of the International Silat Federation of America, will guide participants in 'silat training' that develop skills for Self-Defense, methods for Self-Awareness, and a means by which to approach Self-Realization.

Bapak Waleed is a world renowned expert in the Sacred Arts of Silat Tuo, which focus on balance, coordination, and consciousness in motion to connect the body, mind, and spirit. While containing self-protection applications, Silat Tuo (and more specifically 'silat training'), concurrently teaches methodologies for healing oneself as well as others, respectively. In fact, healing of the body-mind-spirit, or perhaps better stated: "the balancing and fusion of the body-mind-spirit," is a necessary experience for silat practitioners.

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