| Focus | Weapons |
|---|---|
| Country of origin |  Thailand |
| Creator | No single creator |
| Olympic sport | No |
Krabi krabong is a weapon-based martial art from Thailand. Its name refers to the system's main weapons, namely the sword (krabi) and staff (krabong). It is closely related to other Southeast Asian fighting styles such as Indon-Malay silat, Burmese banshay and the armed component of Cambodian kbachkun boraan and bokator. Unarmed krabi krabong makes use of kicks, pressure points, locks, holds, and throws. The royal bodyguard corps of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) are said to be highly trained experts of krabi krabong.
The weapons of krabi krabong include the following:
- ดาบ Krabi - sabre/single-edge sword
- กระบอง Krabong - staff/pole
- โล่ Loh - shield/buckler
- พลอง Plong - stick
- ง้าว Ngao - halberd
- ดาบสองมือ Daab Song Mue - double swords, one in each hand[more information requested]
- ไม้ศอก Mai Sawk/ Mai Sun Sawk - a pair of clubs worn on the forearms
Contents |
History
Krabi krabong had previously been used for warfare and was therefore probably developed by the ancient Siamese military. It may have been used in conjunction with muay boran but whether the two arts were developed independently or at the same time is uncertain. Archaeological findings and traditional dances bear testament to the myriad of weapons that were once used in Thailand. Some of them are no longer found in the country's martial arts today, such as the kris (dagger), hawk (spear), trisoon (trident), daab (straight sword), vajra and bow and arrow. These weapons, their design and even the traditional krabi krabong attire show evidence of Indian derivation combined with Chinese characteristics. South Indian scholars, holymen, settlers and traders were especially influential in the evolution of Thai culture and martial arts. The Tamil stick-fighting style of silambam was of particular importance to the history of numerous Southeast Asian fighting systems. During the colonial period, silambam became more common in Southeast Asia than in India where it was banned by the British rulers.[1]
As Indochinese trade extended to Japan, small communities of Japanese people were living and trading around the region. After the Battle Of Sekigahara in 1600, many of those from the losing side of the war came to Siam. Others were pirates or official traders who arrived on the Red Seal Ships. The Japanese fled Ayutthaya after the Burmese invaded in 1767 but they left their influence on the local fighting arts. Many of the stances, weapons, moves and throws of krabi krabong are similar to those found in jujutsu and various Japanese weapon-based styles.
In Siam, as with many other countries in South and Southeast Asia, monks acted as teachers to their local community. Young boys would be sent to the temples where, aside from learning about Buddhism, they would be taught subjects ranging from language astrology. One such establishment was the Buddhai Sawan temple in Ayutthaya where the monks taught sword-fighting to their students. The origin of these monks is unknown but they are believed to have come from Lanna in northern Thailand. The warrior kings Taksin and Naresuan both learned martial arts during the years they spent studying at this temple. The modern Buddhai Swan Sword Fighting Institute was led by Ajarn Sumai until his death in 1998. Khru Ajarn Pramote Mesamana began training in krabi krabong at the age of 6 under the tutelage of his father Semai Mesamana. According to Khru Ajarn Pramote, the art was passed down in his family from father to son ever since the Ayutthaya era. Today at 68 he runs the Buddhai Sawan Krabi Krabong association in Lad Prao.
See also
References
- ^ Crego, Robert (2003). Sports and Games of the 18th and 19th Centuries pg 32. Greenwood Press
- Donn F. Draeger and Robert W. Smith (1981). Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts. Kodansha International.
External links
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