As a martial artist, you will most probably know what Muay Thai (Thaiboxing) is . In a previous article, I also shown to you, what Muay Boran, the traditional weaponless martial arts of Thailand, is.
In addition to the competition-based Muay Thai and the defense-oriented Muay Boran, there is still a third, weapon-based martial art which has it’s origin in the Kingdom of Siam (today’s Thailand). The Krabi-Krabong.
WEAPONS
Krabi-Krabong, means short and long-range weapons, various weapons will be taught and applied. The main weapons are the sword or the rapier, the “Krabi“, as well as the stick, the “Krabong“. Other weapons in this martial art are …
Daab: single or double sword
Lo: the shield
Phlong: long stick
Ngaw: Lance with blade
Maisun: wooden underarm shields
ORIGIN
The origin of the Krabi-Krabong goes back to the ancient Kingdom of Siam. There, these techniques were used to defend the country in the Indo-China wars, especially against the Burmese, who were the archenemy of the Siamese for a long time. This weapon technique has evolved from the Indian Kalarippayat and the Silambam, the Indian stickfight.
The exact historical development of the Thai martial arts was lost when the Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam. However, many techniques were passed on, so that Thailand was never colonialized, as they knew how to fight and how to defend themselve.
The former warriors of Siam were taught in all weapons, as well as in the Muay Boran. Ultimately, Krabi-Krabong and Muay Boran is a connected combat system for the battlefield, in which both way of fightings complement each other.
If a fighter lost his weapon in battle or broke it, then the unarmed techniques from the Muay Boran had to be used to ensure survival.
KRABI-KRABONG TODAY
Therefore Krabi-Krabong and Muay Boran are still taught together nowadays. The Thai military, as well as the royal guards, are taught by the best masters of the country in the traditional weapons, as well as in the unarmed techniques.
In the meantime there are not too many schools in Thailand where you can learn Krabi-Krabong in an authentic way, because the competition-based Muay Thai has been very popular in the last 100 years.
Nevertheless, there are good schools here and there, with excellent masters, from whom one can learn the Thai weapon based martial art.
Photo Credit: Wiki Commons
Probably the largest and most prestigious school in which foreigners are taught is the Buddhai Sawan Swordfighting Institutein Ayutthaya. There the students are still taught as they did 400 years ago and very much emphasis is placed on tradition as well as on the teaching of Thai culture.
In the school where I train, at Muay Thai Sangha, near Chiang Mai, Krabi-Krabong is also taught. The focus here is on the double sword and the stick. The weapon techniques are mixed with other unarmed techniques from the Muay Thai and the Muay Chaiya, resulting in a very efficient way of fighting.
Also at Tiger Muay Thai, probably the most famous gym in Thailand, you can train Krabi-Krabong. Here you focus on the double sword. When you spend your holiday in Phuket, this is a great option for you.
But also in Germany there is the possibility to learn the Krabi-Krabong. At Thai Achira in Dülmen, near Münster, Ajarn Ralf Kussler teaches the Thai martial arts of Muay Chaiya, Muay Thai and Krabi-Krabong. The lesson is more focused on self-defense and weaponry rather than on competition. Ralf Kussler has been dealing with the Thai martial arts for decades and is one of the most renowned coaches in Germany.
Finally, I would like to say from my own experience that the Krabi-Krabong is a very good addition to the Muay Thai. Many movements are the same, especially the footwork. In addition, when training with the weapons, you get rid of anxiety to get hit and the eye is trained because fast reactions are extremely important. The training will enrich your Muay Thai training and improve your abilities.
Hi Christoph,
das sieht schon sehr cool aus. Immer wenn ich hier mal wieder vorbeischaue, dann möchte ich selbst gerne wieder mehr Kampfsport machen. Dem Kämpfen mit Waffen konnte ich dabei ehrlicherweise aber nie viel abgewinnen…obwohl es wie gesagt schon verdammt stark aussieht! 😀
Viele Grüße
Jahn
Hallo Jahn.
Ich war auch nie so so an Waffen interessiert, bis ich dann in Sri Lanka so richtig damit angefangen habe und erkannte, das es ja eigentlich nur Verlängerungen des Körpers sind. Zudem wird man einfach furchtloser, wenn man sich mit Knüppel haut 😀
Tiger Muay Thai auf Phuket ist so abartig teuer, das ich da nicht mitmachen wollte.
Kostet pro Monat mehr für einen Farang, als ein professionelles Kampfsportstudio in Deutschland (ca. 70€)
Wenn die Zeiten etwas günstiger gewesen wären hätte ich es aber verm. ausprobiert.
Dein Chiang Mai Tip ist gut, denn meine Freundin lebt in Chiang Kham.