Acehnese pencak silat borrows its foundation from silat Melayu and silek Minangkabau, particularly the arm-seizing techniques of the former and the ground-sitting postures of the latter. The Aceh style is comparatively more aggressive overall. Acehnese pencak silat favours bladed weaponry, specifically knives and swords. The primary weapon is the rencong, an L-shaped dagger used mainly for thrusting but also for slashing. The kris is used as well but the native rencong takes precedence. Located on Sumatra's north coast on the westernmost tip of the archipelago, Aceh was the first port of call for traders sailing the Indian Ocean. Unlike the more typical rattan shield, the Acehnese buckler is of Indian derivation, made from metal and with five or seven knobs on the surface.
