The roots of Pentjak Silat date back over 2000 years to Indonesia. This archipelago consists of over 18,000 islands of which 6,000 are inhabited. The principal islands are: Java, Sumatra, Borneo, New Guinea, and Sulawesi.

Beginning in the first century, immigrants from South India began to settle in Indonesia marrying into the local population. There were many local kingdoms and various periods of warfare during which formal martial arts developed.

In the 1500s European explorers arrived. The Portuguese were first in 1527 followed by the Dutch. In 1602 the Dutch established the Dutch East India Company to organize merchant trade, and by 1623 had secured a trade monopoly. At various times the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and British ruled portions of the region, but the primary colonial rulers were the Dutch.

The objective of the Dutch was domination of the Indonesian spice trade, and sharp fighting occurred with several Indonesian kingdoms. As the Dutch prevailed, they brought with them brutal repression of the population. Under Dutch rule, the practice of Silat was banned, but it survived underground and was incorporated into Indonesian dance. As a result of this union, Silat has a very lyrical, graceful aspect which belies its true destructive nature.

With the coming of Indonesian independence in 1949, many Dutch Indonesians were forced to return to Europe. Silat was introduced into Europe in the early 1960s, and by the latter part of the decade it was introduced to America.

Because of the fragmented geography of the region, the multitude of kingdoms, and the need to train in secret under the Dutch, Silat evolved into hundreds of diverse styles. Many are taught in secret, and masters are selective in who they will teach. Some styles originated from the royal houses, but fundamentally the art is of the peasant farmer as a way to defend himself and his family. It is an art that uses weapons common to the farmer including sticks and bladed implements as well as empty hand techniques.

Manyang, or Way of the Hornet, is a royal style that originated on the island of East Java in the village of Sumberpucung. It is recognized by various Silat organizations, sister styles, and Grand Masters including:

• Pencak Silat PAMOR & BADAI under Sepuh Guru Maha (Advisor and Creator of the styles) Dave Nelson.
  
  
• Pencak Silat Serak under Sepuh Guru Besar (Advisor and Grand Master)  Dolf de Vries.
  
  
• Pencak Silat Serak under Guru Besar Maurice de Thouars.
  
  
• International Pencak Silat Federation, and Pentjak Silat USA, AnakSerak    under Guru Besar Dr. Andre KnustGraichen.