Angkor (temples complex) is one of the most important archaeological site in Southeast Asia, which has included into the UNESCO world heritage. The Traditional Khmer (Cambodian) Martial Arts is called “Kbach Kun Boran Khmer” and shorted to as “Kun Khmer” as stated in the Khmer dictionary title “Dictionnaire Cambodgien” published 1967-1968, which represents for all arts Kun Boran – ancient and Kun Sa’mai – modern and Kun Awudth – weapon.
Kun – (noun) name of art of war used for combatant armed and unarmed. Kun is a special skill for warrior (Nakjambang) [Samdech Chun Nath, 1967).
Khmer = Khorm or Khom - (noun) name uses for the Khmer ethnic or race. The ancient Khmer-Mon = Khorm = Khom was also the name of Arksor Tom Kach chhrung - Khmer ancient script (Literature) [Samdech Chun Nath, 1967].
- Armed Art of “Srakyudh” “Haniyudh” Khaniyudh or etc…
- Un-armed combatant arts of Atmaniyudh “Kun Pradal” or “Pradal Boran”
- Grappling or wrestling arts of “Kun Jra’barb”
To see more drawing on TBA (see KhboonJambang page)
The Evolution
The Khmer armed arts of Kun Awudth and Khmer Grappling arts of Kbach Jrabab still preserves as Boran method. But for un-arm combatant arts of Kun Pradal, has revolutionized to three periods of
- Boran – ancient style combine with soft-hard, and slow and quick
- Boran Leay Sa’Mai – modern mix with ancient style, emphasis of Tvea – Door or Gate system
- Sa’Mai – modern style of Kun Khmer free style fighting “Sneet Kun Pradal Serey”
Kun Khmer is as old as the culture of Cambodia with rich and varied history dating back many centuries. According historians and scholars, the golden age of Cambodia was between the 9th and 14th century, during the Angkor period, which it was a powerful and prosperous empire that flourished and dominated almost all of inland South East Asia. Archaeological sites found in Cambodia have suggested that a sophisticated martial arts system traced back over 2000 years, pre-Angkorian period.
- Mae – are the core techniques which are the foundation defensive and offensive tactic.
- Kbach – are the method or way of or trick also known as Sneat or Phlae.
- Boran – is a Khmer word translated as the ancient way.
It is essential in order to acknowledge the root of Kback Kun Boran Khmer, is to establish an understanding of Khmer’s background, arts and cultures, her people, literature and her rich historical monument spreads all over South East Asia and the ancient Angkorian military system as it carved on the wall of Angkors.
The sub-core techniques are “L’Bokak Tao (see image drawing above and Kboonjambang page)”, “Sva Kess Krajork”, “Sva Prajab”, “Sra Ngae Pan”, “Kraper Ha”, “Khla Krap” and “Jongvay Phlov” are used in hard-soft, slow-fast, low-high for offensive and defensive tactic.
Below historical facts of the ancient Khmer warrior, traced on the bas-relief for the Khmer and our ancient Angkor’s monument of the ancient Angkorean culture and heritage. When one fighter defeated another fighter, the fan would scream “Nak Pradal Lekh Muay!”
Bas-relief illustrated the bout for the king. During the Ancient Angorian era, the winner well rewarded as general, tribal or regional leaders to control the new acquired land mass, but loser rewarded with coffin. Techniques illustrated of the used of Jro' Barb (join-lock wrestling at the far right), Sro' Ngae Pen (at the far left)Kbach Lompang (staff at the center)
This is Khmer Sanskrit from the monuments wall of ancient temple in Siam Reap, Cambodia. This written survive the many civil wars has been major sources of information about the Khmer Kingdom of Khmer Empire about daily life of Khmer during that era.
(Image from LEARN NC, 2008)
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