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RAM MUAY |
| Ram Muay is a dancelike movement reflecting the feeling of
gratitude in the mind of every Thai boxer.
It is performed to pay homage to the love and care the Thai
boxers have given to them by their fathers, mothers, teachers, and all
those they respect. The
dance of Ram Muay is also a good way of loosening up the body muscles,
arms, legs, knees and elbows. In
brief, a fairly useful exercise and warm-up to prepare the boxers for
the impending fight. |
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Muay Thai is the
art of self-defense handed down since the ancient time. During the days long gone, it was very difficult to acquire
this skill. To apply for
apprenticeship was quite a delicate process.
But to practice Muay Thai itself was even more difficult, as the
student and his teacher had to really understand each other’s way of thinking, i.e.
the meeting of the mind. While
lodging at his teacher’s house, the student would have to serve the
teacher in every way he could as a kind of tribute for the tuition
sought. |
In the past, the
performance of Ram Muay in itself would be indicative of the style of a
particular Muay Thai camp. Each
one had its own style and subtle variations.
Each region of the country would have its own indigenous style
and intricacies of movement. Ram
Muay was not performed just to show off the dance ability, but much
more:
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Pay
homage and tribute to teachers and those to whom gratitude was
due.
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Consecrate
a blessing on the performer, a morale booster, and as a shield
against
nervousness
and fear.
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Show
the origin of the boxer, what camp he belonged to, as each
camp had its own distinct style.
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Tony, Allison and Suzanne performing the Wai Kru/Ram Muay at the 2003 Asian
Festival |
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WAI
KRU |
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| The Wai Kru (honor
bow) is the same in all the ancient Thai fighting systems, and
dates back centuries. The Khun Kru (trainer) will pray over his fighter
at ringside as depicted in the photograph.
Sometimes a white flower is tied to the corner post for additional good
luck. The trainer then places the camps Monkron (sacred crown)
on the fighter’s head, which is said to possess the spiritual power of
the Khun Kru and all the fighters in their particular camp.
The fighter first
performs the Wai Kru kneeling in
the center of the ring in the direction of his birthplace or home gym
and covering his eyes bowing low three times so that his gloves
touch the canvas. The
first bow is to pay respect to your coach, gym, fellow boxers, and to
Muay Thai as a sport. Bow number two pays respect to your parents,
family, and your ancestors. Bow number three is to pay homage to
whatever your religious or spiritual beliefs are.
He then stands to begin the Ram Muay.
After he has performed this ritual he will return to his corner where
just before the sound of the opening bell the Khun Kru will say a
short prayer to
the fighter who lowers his head clasping hands together in
traditional Thai greeting, this is returned by the Khun Kru during the
prayer, who will then remove the Monkron, blowing into the fighters hair
for good luck. |
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