Bokator: Difference between revisions
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Boxkatorusa (talk | contribs) i have corrected the history and name of the Grand Master San Kim Sean and the history and description of the art. |
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[[Image:Bayonfight.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Angkorian warriors as depicted on bas reliefs at Angkor Wat]] |
[[Image:Bayonfight.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Angkorian warriors as depicted on bas reliefs at Angkor Wat]] |
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'''Bokator''', or more formally, ''' |
'''Bokator/Boxkator''', or more formally, '''Lbok katau''' (ល្បុក្កតោ), is an ancient [[Khmer]] martial art said to be the predecessor of all Southeast Asian kickboxing styles. Depicted in [[bas relief]]s at [[Angkor Wat]], Bokator was the close quarter combat system used by the ancient Angkor army. Bokator bears much of the responsibility for Cambodia's domination during the Angkorean era. It is believed that [[Jayavarman VII]], the illustrious ruler of the [[Khmer Empire]], was a practitioner of Bokator. Bokator weaves together Cambodia's ancient religious traditions of [[Buddhism]] and [[Brahmanism]]. |
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In ancient Cambodia, before the Mon-Khmer period, a martial art was created to hunt and defend oneself from the wild animals in the jungles of the land. During the Mon-Khmer period the techniques used to fight and hunt the wild animals were adapted to fight people. The Khmer Morn used these techniques as a way to protect and expand their nation. During that time, the Martial Art was known as Khorm Yuth. |
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A brutal variant of [[kickboxing]], Bokator weaves together Cambodia's ancient religious traditions of [[Buddhism]] and [[Brahmanism]] with practical [[self defense]] and lethal techniques. Bokator has various styles that teach students to emulate the fighting of a particular animal. Bokator fighters, called ''yuthkhun'', wrap [[krama]]s around their waists, heads, and fists - a different color krama signifying the skill level of the fighter, with white being the lowest and green the most advanced. The five "white krama" animal forms are [[Hanuman]], [[lion]], [[elephant]], [[apsara]] and [[crocodile]]. The "green krama" forms are [[duck]], [[crab]], [[horse]],[[bird]] and [[naga (mythology)|naga]]. |
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Sometime after the Angkorean period the name Labok Katou (Bokator, Boxkator) was adopted. It was practiced by Khmer soldiers, generals, and kings and was invaluable in winning wars against both the Cham and the Thai empires. |
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Bokator utilizes the body holistically as a weapon. All appendages of the body, the [[hands]], [[elbows]], [[knees]], [[shins]], [[feet]], and even [[finger]]s, [[Hip (anatomy)|hips]], and [[shoulders]] can be used to debilitate an opponent. Basic techniques include [[clinching]], [[grappling]], [[striking]], joint locks, and some elements of [[ground fighting]] are also present. |
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Unfortunately, the early Khmer did not keep written records like the Chinese and Japanese of those times. The only historical records of Khmer Boxkator that can be found are the carvings on the walls of Jayavarman VII’s temples, such as the Bayon, Preah Lean, Chal Damrey and Angkor Wat. |
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Unlike kick boxing, which is a sport fighting art, Boxkator was a soldier’s art, designed to be used on the battlefield. It is a very complete martial art, which uses strikes, throws, drags, trapping, locking, and ground fighting. Every single part of the body can be used as a weapon. Boxkator practitioners are trained to strike with knees, hands, elbows, feet, shins, and head. Even the shoulders, hip, jaw, and fingers can be used to beat an opponent to submission or death. |
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When fighting, Boxkator practitioners still wear the uniforms of ancient Khmer armies. A kroma (scarf) is folded around their waist and blue and red silk cords called sangvar day, are tied around the combatants head and biceps. In the past, the cords were enchanted to increase strength, although now they are just ceremonial. The kroma shows the fighter’s level of expertise. A series of grades, each taking at least five months to complete training seven days a week and 2 hours a day, are represented by different colors. The first grade is white, followed by green, blue, red, brown and then black which has 10 degrees. After completing their initial training, fighters wear a Black Kroma (scarf) for at least another ten years. To attain the Gold Kroma you must be a true master and must have done something great for Boxkator. And to become a true master it will definitely take some time as just in the unarmed portion of the art there are between 8000 and 10000 different techniques; only 1000 of which you have to learn to attain the black kroma. The art contains 341 different styles some of which are the duck, crab, horse, bird, dragon, eagle, crane, wind, fire, water, earth(or stone,) king monkey, lion, elephant, apsara (traditional Hindu sacred nymph), and crocodile. |
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| ⚫ | Because of its visually similar style, Bokator (Boxkator) is commonly misattributed as version of modern day kick boxing. Bokator has many forms based on styles as well as straight practical fighting techniques. While [[Pradal Serey]] is a more simplified freestyle fighting system which uses a few of the basic (white kroma) punching, elbow, kicking and kneeing techniques. |
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== Modern Decline and Revival == |
== Modern Decline and Revival == |
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San Kim Sean (english name order: Sean Kim San) is largely credited with reviving Boxkator Khmer and is often referred to as the father of modern Bokator in [[Cambodia]]. |
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Unfortunately,during the [[Pol Pot]] regime ([[1975]]-[[1979]]) those who practiced traditional arts were either systematically exterminated by the [[Khmer Rouge]], fled as refugees or stopped teaching and hid. After the Khmer Rouge Regime, the Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia began and the martial arts were completely outlawed, which caused the near extinction of the art. During this time San Kim Sean had to flee Cambodia, due to being accused by the Vietnamese of teaching Hapkido and Boxkator, which he was, and starting to form an army, which he wasn't. Once in America he startted teaching Hapkido at a local YMCA in Houston, Texas and later moved to Long Beach, California. After living in the United Sates and teaching and promoting Hapkido for a while. He found that no one had ever heard of Boxkator. This upset him greatly so he left the United States in 1992 and returned to his home country of Cambodia to give Boxkator back to his people and to do his best to make Boxkator known to the world. But, when he arrived back in his homeland he found that it was still to dangerous to teach Boxkator. So he went into seclusion in the mountains where he spent his time praying to his gods and training in Boxkator. |
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In 2001 moved back to Phnom Penh and after getting permission from the the new king began teaching Bokator to local youth. That same year in the hopes of bringing all of the remaining living masters together he began travelling the country, seeking out Boxkator lakrus, or instructors, who had survived the regime. The few men he found were oldranging from sixty to ninety years of age and weary of 30 years of oppression; many were afraid to teach the art openly. After much persuasion and with government approval, the former masters relented, and Sean effectively reintroduced Boxkator to the Cambodian people. |
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White Krama |
White Krama |
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* [[ |
* [[Duck]] (thiea) |
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* [[Hanuman|King Monkey ]] (sdach swaa) |
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* [[Lion]] (thao) |
* [[Lion]] (thao) |
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* [[Elephant]] (domrei) |
* [[Elephant]] (domrei) |
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* [[Crocodile]] (krapeau) |
* [[Crocodile]] (krapeau) |
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* [[Duck]] (thiea) |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 04:08, 7 June 2007
Bokator/Boxkator, or more formally, Lbok katau (ល្បុក្កតោ), is an ancient Khmer martial art said to be the predecessor of all Southeast Asian kickboxing styles. Depicted in bas reliefs at Angkor Wat, Bokator was the close quarter combat system used by the ancient Angkor army. Bokator bears much of the responsibility for Cambodia's domination during the Angkorean era. It is believed that Jayavarman VII, the illustrious ruler of the Khmer Empire, was a practitioner of Bokator. Bokator weaves together Cambodia's ancient religious traditions of Buddhism and Brahmanism.
In ancient Cambodia, before the Mon-Khmer period, a martial art was created to hunt and defend oneself from the wild animals in the jungles of the land. During the Mon-Khmer period the techniques used to fight and hunt the wild animals were adapted to fight people. The Khmer Morn used these techniques as a way to protect and expand their nation. During that time, the Martial Art was known as Khorm Yuth.
Sometime after the Angkorean period the name Labok Katou (Bokator, Boxkator) was adopted. It was practiced by Khmer soldiers, generals, and kings and was invaluable in winning wars against both the Cham and the Thai empires.
Unfortunately, the early Khmer did not keep written records like the Chinese and Japanese of those times. The only historical records of Khmer Boxkator that can be found are the carvings on the walls of Jayavarman VII’s temples, such as the Bayon, Preah Lean, Chal Damrey and Angkor Wat.
Unlike kick boxing, which is a sport fighting art, Boxkator was a soldier’s art, designed to be used on the battlefield. It is a very complete martial art, which uses strikes, throws, drags, trapping, locking, and ground fighting. Every single part of the body can be used as a weapon. Boxkator practitioners are trained to strike with knees, hands, elbows, feet, shins, and head. Even the shoulders, hip, jaw, and fingers can be used to beat an opponent to submission or death.
When fighting, Boxkator practitioners still wear the uniforms of ancient Khmer armies. A kroma (scarf) is folded around their waist and blue and red silk cords called sangvar day, are tied around the combatants head and biceps. In the past, the cords were enchanted to increase strength, although now they are just ceremonial. The kroma shows the fighter’s level of expertise. A series of grades, each taking at least five months to complete training seven days a week and 2 hours a day, are represented by different colors. The first grade is white, followed by green, blue, red, brown and then black which has 10 degrees. After completing their initial training, fighters wear a Black Kroma (scarf) for at least another ten years. To attain the Gold Kroma you must be a true master and must have done something great for Boxkator. And to become a true master it will definitely take some time as just in the unarmed portion of the art there are between 8000 and 10000 different techniques; only 1000 of which you have to learn to attain the black kroma. The art contains 341 different styles some of which are the duck, crab, horse, bird, dragon, eagle, crane, wind, fire, water, earth(or stone,) king monkey, lion, elephant, apsara (traditional Hindu sacred nymph), and crocodile.
Because of its visually similar style, Bokator (Boxkator) is commonly misattributed as version of modern day kick boxing. Bokator has many forms based on styles as well as straight practical fighting techniques. While Pradal Serey is a more simplified freestyle fighting system which uses a few of the basic (white kroma) punching, elbow, kicking and kneeing techniques.
Modern Decline and Revival
San Kim Sean (english name order: Sean Kim San) is largely credited with reviving Boxkator Khmer and is often referred to as the father of modern Bokator in Cambodia.
Unfortunately,during the Pol Pot regime (1975-1979) those who practiced traditional arts were either systematically exterminated by the Khmer Rouge, fled as refugees or stopped teaching and hid. After the Khmer Rouge Regime, the Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia began and the martial arts were completely outlawed, which caused the near extinction of the art. During this time San Kim Sean had to flee Cambodia, due to being accused by the Vietnamese of teaching Hapkido and Boxkator, which he was, and starting to form an army, which he wasn't. Once in America he startted teaching Hapkido at a local YMCA in Houston, Texas and later moved to Long Beach, California. After living in the United Sates and teaching and promoting Hapkido for a while. He found that no one had ever heard of Boxkator. This upset him greatly so he left the United States in 1992 and returned to his home country of Cambodia to give Boxkator back to his people and to do his best to make Boxkator known to the world. But, when he arrived back in his homeland he found that it was still to dangerous to teach Boxkator. So he went into seclusion in the mountains where he spent his time praying to his gods and training in Boxkator.
In 2001 moved back to Phnom Penh and after getting permission from the the new king began teaching Bokator to local youth. That same year in the hopes of bringing all of the remaining living masters together he began travelling the country, seeking out Boxkator lakrus, or instructors, who had survived the regime. The few men he found were oldranging from sixty to ninety years of age and weary of 30 years of oppression; many were afraid to teach the art openly. After much persuasion and with government approval, the former masters relented, and Sean effectively reintroduced Boxkator to the Cambodian people.
The first ever National Boxkator competition was held in Phnom Penh at the Olympic Stadium, from September 26 through the 29, 2006. The competition comprised of 20 lakrus leading teams from 9 provinces.
Animal Styles
White Krama
Green Krama
- King Monkey (sdach swaa)
- Lion (thao)
- Elephant (domrei)
- Apsara
- Crocodile (krapeau)