It is said that Silet was inspired after a woman observed a fight between a tiger and an eagle. At a time when Minang royalty commanded fields and hills as big as mountains, they were very keen on teaching their kin philosophy and self-defense. Silet masters were considered wise, full of patience, and deeply powerful. They taught the arts in secrecy to royal families only, until it became what almost saved the province from intruders. The altitudes and the greener complimented the fighting style of pencek silek since it was inspired from the animals of the region.
