Bokator

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Bokator
ល្បុក្កតោ
Bokator demonstration
Also known asKun L'Bokator
FocusStriking, ground fighting,[1] stick fighting, sword fighting, battlefield,
HardnessFull-contact
Country of originCambodia
Famous practitionersSan Kim Sean (Grandmaster), Tharoth Sam, Nang Sovan, Chan Rothana
Descendant artsKun Khmer,[2] Muay Boran,[3][4] Muay Thai,[5][6] Muay Lao[7][8][9]
Kun L'Bokator, traditional martial arts in Cambodia
CountryCambodia
DomainsMartial arts
Reference[1]
RegionAsia and the Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription29 November 2022 (17th session)
ListInscribed in 2022 (17.COM) on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Bokator (Khmer: ល្បុក្កតោ, lbŏkkâtaô [lɓokkatao]) or Kun L'Bokator (គុនល្បុក្កតោ, kun lbŏkkâtaô [kun lɓokkatao], lit.'the art of pounding the lion') is an ancient Cambodian battlefield martial art. It is one of the oldest fighting systems existing in the world[10] and is recognised as intangible cultural heritage by the UNESCO.[11]

Oral tradition indicates that Bokator (or an early form thereof) was the close-quarter combat system used by the ancient Cambodian armies before the founding of Angkor. Khmer martial arts have been known by multiple names depending on regions and masters but is now generally referred by most as Bokator.[12] The martial art encompasses hand-to-hand, wrestling, and weapon techniques.[13] It is believed to be the precursor of all forms of kickboxing present in the former provinces of the Khmer empire, namely Kun Khmer in Cambodia,[2] Muay Lao in Laos[8] and Muay Thai in Thailand.[3][6]

History

Sweep technique, Ta Prohm temple, 12th century.
Knee strike, Ta Prohm temple, 12th century.

Bokator is considered to be the oldest martial art currently being practiced in the Kingdom of Cambodia. The martial art traces its origin back to the 1st century AD,[10][14] a time when early Khmer people, living amidst the wilderness, emulated the movements of animals for survival, resulting in the animal-inspired techniques found in Bokator.[15] The word "Bokator" is mentioned in the first Khmer dictionary developed in 1938 by the Buddhist scholar Chuon Nath.[16] The term is believed to derive from the phrase bok tao meaning "to pound a lion". According to the origin myth, a lion was attacking a village when a warrior, armed with only a knife, defeated the animal bare-handed, killing it with a single knee strike.[17]

The martial arts in Cambodia stem from a long tradition; an inscription dating back to the 7th century discovered at Vat Phu praises the "science of combatting" of King Jayavarman I:

He [Jayavarman I], the first of those who knew the science of combatting the impetuosity of elephants, the force of cavalry, the will of man.[18]

A few ordinances from Yasovarman I (9th century) shed light on the regulations governing the policing of temples and convents. One ordinance permits fighters entry into the temples and reveals their esteemed status within the society of the Khmer empire:

Particularly, the brave must be esteemed, who has proven his courage in fights. The one who embraces fighting should be held in higher regard than the one who shies away, for upon him rests the defense of right.[19]

Boxing was known and practiced during the Khmer empire, as evidenced by both carvings and inscriptions. An inscription dated 966 AD from Prasat Ta Siu, known as the inscription of Kok Samron, recounts a boxing match ordered by royal decree, the outcome of which resulted in the granting of a rice field.[20] Another inscription dated 979 AD from Prasat Char mentions that Prince Narapatindravarman, son of Jayavarman IV, purchased land from a boxer. He then used this land to establish a temple dedicated to the goddess Mahisasura in honour of his late mother, Queen Narapatindradevi.[21] In the same inscription, the names of three boxers are explicitly mentioned as being called to the King's court: Dan, In, and Ayak, whereas another boxer named Vit is described as having borrowed a series of items. Ayak is presented as the master of the boxers of Gamryan, presently identified as Phnom Mrech in Preah Vihear province.[22]

Bokator as practised today represents a modern form, along with Khmer wrestling and Khmer fencing, of the martial art used by Khmer soldiers during the Angkor period, spanning from the 9th to the 15th century. These martial disciplines are depicted in the carvings and bas-reliefs found throughout the Angkor temples.[23][24][25] Many bas-reliefs show groups of soldiers at the entrance or in the outbuildings of palaces engaging in martial arts matches.[26] A large number of the arm-locks, hand-locks and neck-locks used in Bokator are depicted on the walls of Bayon temple.[27]

Stone carving of the rising knee fighting stance. Located at the Bayon temple (late 12th or early 13th century).
Bokator martial artist demonstrates the rising knee fighting stance.

Longvek, the Cambodian capital during the 16th century, used to serve as a center for the country's military. It was a gathering point for people of knowledge including scholars and martial artists.[10] According to Bokator master Om Yom, areas such as Svay Chrum District, Kraing Leav and Pungro in Rolea B'ier District of Kampong Chhnang Province used to be areas known for training in martial arts. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces continues to train in that area today.[28] In the 1800s, King Norodom used to hold and watch traditional martial arts fights within the royal palace and surrounded exclusively by his court.[29]

The Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda in Kampong Chhnang province contains murals from 1850 depicting Khmer martial arts

20th century

Khmer boxers in 1910
A Bokator fight in 1920

Boxing, stick-fighting, and wrestling were described by French records in 1905 as among the favourite pastimes of Khmer people.[30] The 1907 edition of the International Review of Sociology noticed the customary inclusion of martial arts tournaments within major celebrations, often featuring matches between Khmer and Cham champions. These competitions were noted to be characterised by mutual respect, with the audience remaining impartial towards both rival parties.[31] During the era of French rule, sporadic outbreaks of violence, led by Buddhist monks, challenged French authority.[32] In response, the French colonial administration banned in 1920 Buddhist monks from instructing and participating in Khmer martial arts, aiming to prevent their potential contribution to social upheaval.[33] Sappho Marchal, an expert in Khmer art and a contributor to the French journal Revue des arts asiatiques, detailed in 1927 the ceremonial dance known as Tvay Bangkum Romleuk Kun Kru, performed before every fight.[34] This ritual, which still persists today, is an essential component of Bokator. In April 1930, King Sisowath Monivong invited Resident Superior Fernand Marie Joseph Antoine Lavit to witness traditional martial arts inside the Royal Palace as part of the Khmer New Year celebrations. Preceding the Second World War, Phnom Penh hosted diverse sporting events, including Khmer martial arts competitions.[29] The sport used to be practiced on sand rather than in a ring. Tournaments were usually held on major festivals and enjoyed extreme popularity. Each minister and prominent figure had their own stable of fighters which also served as their bodyguards. The King acted as the saint patron of the sport and the aristocracy was particularly involved in the competitions. King Sisowath is said to have often won competitions. Tournaments were largely pursued for the sake of glory as they did not involve any financial compensation.[35]

Bokator was practiced by members of the anti-colonial Khmer Issarak movement founded in 1945, who fought for the independence of Cambodia. During the troubled Khmer Republic era from 1970 to 1975, the practice of Bokator led to suspicions of mutiny in both Khmer Rouge-controlled and government-regulated areas. As a result, Bokator fighters did not publicly train but had to resort instead to secret trainings.[10] At the time of 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 native martial arts were completely outlawed. San Kim Sean is often referred to as the father of modern Bokator and is largely credited with reviving the art. During the Pol Pot era, San Kim Sean had to flee Cambodia under accusations by the Vietnamese of teaching hapkido and Bokator (which he was) and starting to form an army, an accusation of which he was innocent. Once in America he started teaching hapkido at a local YMCA in Houston, Texas and later moved to Long Beach, California. After living in the United States and teaching and promoting hapkido for a while, he found that no one had ever heard of bokator. He left the United States in 1992 and returned home to Cambodia to give bokator back to his people and to do his best to make it known to the world.[1]

21st century

In 2001, San Kim Sean moved back to Phnom Penh and, after getting permission from 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 traveling the country seeking out Bokator lok kru, or instructors, who had survived the regime. The few men he found were old, ranging from sixty to ninety years of age and weary of 30 years of oppression; many were afraid to teach the art openly.[36] After much persuasion and with government approval,[37] the former masters relented and Sean effectively reintroduced Bokator to the Cambodian people. The first national Bokator competition was held in Phnom Penh at the Olympic Stadium in 2006. The competition involved 300 participants.[37][38]

Bokator has been inscribed in 2022 (17.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.[39]

Bokator athletes performing a climbing attack, both are wearing shirts with Khmer tattoo pattern which are believed to protect fighters

Bokator boasts around 7,000 practitioners both in Cambodia and abroad. Dedicated grandmasters, including Ith Pen, Sen Sam Ath, San Kim Sean, Ros Serei, Am Yom, Suong Neng, Ponh Keun, Voeng Sophal, Ke Sam On, Kim Chiev, Chet Ay, and Kao Kob, work tirelessly to preserve and pass on this tradition. Across thirteen Cambodian provinces, Bokator community schools exist, where these grand masters teach and receive support from the local communities.[14]

To further promote and safeguard Bokator, the Cambodia Kun Bokator Federation was established under the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, with backing from the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports. This effort allows masters and apprentices from across the country to continue their practice. The art is also practiced outside Cambodia, notably in the United States, Europe, and Australia, with support from Cambodian diaspora communities. In 2020, masters from various Cambodian provinces formed an interprovincial network to share experiences, training techniques, and document their knowledge. Notably, Bokator was added as a new discipline for the Southeast Asian Games in 2023.[14] In India, the first National Kun Bokator Championship was held in Srinagar in 2023, organized by the Kun Bokator Federation of India. Representatives from 12 states participated in this event, alongside two coaches from Cambodia who shared their expertise. A National Level Kun Bokator Seminar was conducted for coaches and referees to ensure smooth proceedings. The championship has sparked increased interest in the sport among Kashmiri players.[40]

Royal Cambodian Army Bokator training

The Cambodia Kun Bokator Federation (CKBF), established in 2004, plays a pivotal role in facilitating national-level training, workshops, seminars, and documenting Bokator techniques and skills. It provides a platform for masters to exchange information and knowledge. Since 2020, the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports (MoEYS) has been working to integrate Bokator into formal and non-formal education curricula, while it is already part of the training program for the police department and military forces. Masters, with at least five years of experience in Bokator, pass on their knowledge and skills to new generations, often in their homes, offering flexible training schedules to accommodate student apprentices, who are typically local public school students. Male and female practitioners train together multiple times a week.[14]

Tournaments occur at regional and national levels, sometimes with coordination by the Cambodia Kunbokator Federation (CKBF) and active participation from the masters. CKBF also supports the organization of performances, training sessions, and documentation initiatives to ensure the art's continuity.[14]

Style overview

The long staff (dambong veng) and short staff(s) (dambong klei) are the most common weapons used in Bokator and other Cambodian martial arts.
Mural painted in 1850 depicting dambong veng at Wat Kampong Tralach Leu, Kampong Chhnang province

Bokator is characterized by hand-to-hand combat along with heavy use of weapons. Bokator uses a diverse array of elbow and knee strikes, shin kicks, submissions and ground fighting.[1] Some of the weapons used in Bokator include the bamboo staff, short sticks, sword and lotus stick (20 cm long wooden weapon).[41][42][43]

Before any fights, Bokator athletes pay tribute to their master by doing a ritual dance, called Tvay Bangkum Romleuk Kun Kru (Khmer: ថ្វាយបង្គំ​រម្លឹក​គុណគ្រូ​, lit.'to pay tribute and remember the master')[44] This ritual is performed with a music called Pleng Pradal (Khmer: ភ្លេងប្រដាល់, lit.'boxing music') played by an orchestra consisting of drums, cymbals and sralai.[45]

Athletes practicing Bokator wearing the traditional uniforms

When fighting, Bokator athletes still wear the uniforms of ancient Khmer armies. A krama (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 believed to be enchanted to increase strength, although now they are just ceremonial.[46] Advanced Bokator practitioners learn to use the krama as a weapon. It serves various purposes including pulling, tying, wrestling, choking, and joint locking. Additionally, they can employ the scarf as a whip to target an opponent's eyes, impairing their vision. Stones can also be concealed within the scarf and launched akin to ancient sling projectiles.[2] Bokator fighters used to wrap their hands with a white rope. It involved tightly wrapping the rope around all five fingers, ensuring they are securely attached. The rope used for the hand wrapping technique is referred to as Ampeh Plork (Khmer: អំបោះភ្លុក, lit.'ivory rope').[47] A kind of cement was then poured onto the hands of the fighters, making their fists even harder. This practice was documented by the French newspaper Le Saïgon sportif in 1933 and is said to enable fighters to inflict severe injuries with a punch. Fighters used to apply a specific ointment to toughen their skin.[35]

The art contains 341 sets which, like many other Asian martial arts, are based on the study of life in nature. For example, there are styles of elephant, duck, crab, horse, bird and crocodile with each containing several techniques.[36] Unlike its neighbors, Cambodia has a history of being a Hindu nation. In addition to animal styles, bokator has techniques based on Hindu deities such as hanuman and apsara.

For his school of bokator, San Kim Sean developed a krama based system similar to a belt system to organize and represent the training levels.[48] Bokator encompasses over 10,000 techniques, and as students progressively master them, they receive different-colored krama to denote their advancement. Starting with a white krama, beginners advance through green, blue, red, brown, and then ten degrees of black. A gold krama is reserved for grandmasters who have devoted their lives to Bokator.[2]

Some Bokator students dedicate their lives to mastering the martial art. Many of them reside within the martial arts school. They obediently follow their master's lead, who assumes dual roles as an instructor and a guardian, providing sustenance and attending to their well-being. These students endure rigorous training sessions, often lasting up to eight hours per day. Classes usually end with meditation and breathing exercises meant to help blood flow, blending spiritual and physical aspects.[2]

Bokator exhibits slight regional variations, encompassing differences in physical techniques, tools, terminology, and favored skills. For instance, Bokator masters from Pursat, Vihear Sour and Kompong Chhnang put an emphasis on the wrestling skills.[27] Beyond martial arts, it finds artistic applications in Chhay Yam musical dance and Khmer-style theatrical performances such as Lakhon Bassac. Its rich symbolism and meanings make it suitable for creative interpretations in theater, literature, poetry, story-telling, and visual arts like painting and photography.[14]

In popular culture

In 2017, Bokator was highlighted in the successful Cambodian martial arts film Jailbreak.[49][50][51] Bokator is the primary martial art used in the popular dystopian trilogy Arc of Scythe written by Neal Shusterman; the novels additionally use a fictional form of Bokator called "Black Widow Bokator" which is shown and described more offensive and violent form of this martial art.[52] In 2022, Stephen Schwartz, the producer behind the film Power Rangers: Origins, noticed Bokator practitioner Kim Sambo for his martial arts skills. As a result, Sambo contributed to filmmaking by serving as a set organiser for battle scenes and incorporating Bokator into them.[53]

Image gallery

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Meixner, Seth (October 14, 2007). "'Bokator' makes sudden comeback in Cambodia". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  2. ^ a b c d e Graceffo, Antonio. "Cambodian and Chinese Martial Arts Compared (English language paper)". Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b De Cesaris, Marco (8 November 2013). Muay Thai Boran: The Martial Art of Kings (PDF). Edizioni Mediterranee. ISBN 8827223541. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Muay Korat".
  5. ^ Teh, Cheryl (2018-06-28). "Faster, Higher, Stronger: Traditional Sports in ASEAN" (PDF). ASEANFocus (3/2018). ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute: 26. ISSN 2424-8045. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-10. Muay Thai may enjoy much greater popularity in modern times but its origins are believed to come from Bokator which even predates the Angkor-era
  6. ^ a b "L'historique". Académie Française de Muay Thai (in French). Archived from the original on 26 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024. La genèse, l'histoire ancienne et l'image du muay-thaï sont présentées d'une manière standardisée dans une abondante littérature en Thaïlande. Les données historiques les plus anciennes, qui attesteraient de pratiques de boxe avant le XIXe siècle, sont inspirées principalement par les chroniques royales, plusieurs fois réécrites (notamment sous Rama Ier), après les destructions du XVIIIe siècle (chute d'Ayutthaya en 1767). S'il est donc difficile de confirmer l'historicité des légendes et de la genèse du muay-thai du point de vue thailandais ; il est aujourd'hui connu et admis que les thailandais héritèrent des arts martiaux khmers (Kbach Kun Boran Khmer), à la suite de la victoire d'Ayutthaya sur le royaume khmer d'Angkor (en 1431) dont il était jusqu'alors le vassal. Il ne faut donc pas ignorer la forte teneur idéologique, notamment nationaliste, qui préside en Thaïlande à la présentation des origines du muay-thaï (et du muay-boran), son histoire ancienne, et son image contemporaine. [The genesis, the ancient history and Muay Thai's image are presented in a standardised manner in an abundant literature in Thailand. The oldest historical evidences, which attest of a practice of boxing before the 19th century, are largerly inspired by the royal chronicles, many time rewritten (namely under Rama I), following the destructions of the 18th century (fall of Ayuthaya in 1767). While it is therefore hard to confirm the accuracy of the legends and of the creation of Muay Thai from a Thai point of view; it is nowadays known and admitted that the Thais have inherited the Khmer martial arts (Bach Kun Boran Khmer), following Ayuthaya's victory on the Khmer Angkorian kingdom (in 1431), which it was a vassal of so far. We must not ignore the strong ideological content, notably nationalist, that presides in Thailand over the presentation of the origins of muay-thaï (and muay-boran), its ancient history and its contemporary image.]
  7. ^ Wheaton, Tim (12 October 2023). "What is Muay Lao? Laos' Hidden Gem". Muay Thai. There's evidence to suggest that a style akin to kickboxing was practiced by the Khmers during the Angkor era. Given the dominance of the Angkor kingdom over most parts of this region during that period, it's widely believed that Muay's origins can be traced back to the early Khmer people.
  8. ^ a b "Muay Lao: the Kick Boxing Scene in Vientiane, Laos". Dietmar Temps Photography. Ask a European about Asian kick boxing, he for sure will answer: "yes, Thai boxing!". Ask Thai people about kick boxing, you most likely get the answer: "Of course, it's Muay Thai, we invented it, and we are the best!". But Laos's people will probably explain, that "Muay is a Southeast Asian traditional martial arts with its roots in Cambodia, the Thai people call it Muay Thai, and here in Laos the name is Muay Lao."
  9. ^ Graceffo, Antonio (7 October 2013). "Muay Lao: The Forgotten Art of Kickboxing". USA Dojo. Adjarn Ngern, the head coach of the Lao National Muay Lao Team, told me that Muay Lao is a much smaller sport in Lao than is Muay Thai in Thailand. Professional fights are only held in the National Stadium twice per month. There are only a handful of registered professional fighters in the whole country. "How is Muay Lao different than Muay Thai?" I asked. "It's exactly the same." Said the Adjarn. "Cambodians are angry about the name Muay Thai. They feel they invented kickboxing and it should be called by the Cambodian name, Bradal Serey, not Muay Thai. What do you think of that?" Without a second's hesitation he answered, "Muay Thai was invented in Cambodia, but Thailand has the money and got famous."
  10. ^ a b c d Sony, Ouch; Keeton-Olsen, Danielle (12 January 2021). "An Ancient Martial Art, Transformed by Time, War, Seeks Return to Prominence". Voice of America. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Browse the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Register of good safeguarding practices".
  12. ^ Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia. "Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Cambodia". Today, Kbach Kun Khmer has been called in different name in different region and master but most of them called it "Kun Lbokator".
  13. ^ "West Valley resident continues Cambodian martial arts tradition". West Valley City Journal. 5 January 2024. Kim says it combines the key elements of a variety of forms of the discipline. "We've got empty-hand forms, animal forms (mimicking an attacking animal), grappling, wrestling," he said. It also incorporates the use of hand-to-hand combat and weapons. "Basically, it's a complete system of ancient martial arts style," said Kim, a 2013 graduate of Hunter High School.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "Kun L'Bokator, traditional martial arts in Cambodia". unesco.org.
  15. ^ Carruthers, Marissa (2018-04-17). "Martial art that gave birth to Muay Thai has revival in Cambodia". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-10. There is evidence that the martial art's inception predates the Angkor era. It is believed that villagers, farmers and people living deep in the mountains and jungle developed its more than 10,000 techniques, which include knee and elbow strikes, shin kicks, ground fighting, submission mastery, and the use of weapons, as a means of survival. "The techniques used in bokator are animal style," San Kim Sean says. "People living in the countryside needed to survive, they needed food and to protect themselves from predators, so they copied the animals. They would follow a monkey up a tree to find fruit or watch a bird getting fish from the water."
  16. ^ Curtin, Joseph (4 September 2015). "Back in the ring and fighting to be remembered". The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  17. ^ Wheaton, Tim (23 October 2023). "Bokator – The Ancient Art of Kun Lbokator". muaythai.com. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  18. ^ Briggs, Lawrence Palmer (1962). The Ancient Khmer Empire. Transactions of the American Philosophical Society.
  19. ^ Groslier, George (1921). Recherches sur les Cambodgiens (PDF) (in French). Augustin CHALLAMEL éditeur. p. 331.
  20. ^ "Corpus of Khmer Inscriptions". SEA classics Khmer. K.239. This inscription records the construction of a sanctuary for Śrī Jagannāthakeśvara and the gift to the divinity by several persons of 10 tracts of riceland, together with slaves, cattle, and small articles. One ricefield (lines S: 34-35) is acquired by royal grant as the result of a boxing match (S: 39 to N: 1-3), while another field (N: 3-5) is conveyed to the divinity by a royal directive. The text is of routine grammatical interest.
  21. ^ Wongsathit Anake, U-Tain (August 2012). Sanskrit Names in Cambodian Inscriptions (PhD thesis). University of Pune. The name 'Mahisasura' is the short form of 'Mahisasuramardini' which denotes the goddess Durga, the slayer of the Asura Mahisa. The goddess is referred to with the title 'Bhagavati' in K.257, dated 979 A.D. The inscription mentions that Narapatindravarman, after purchasing the land from a boxer (Mustiyuddha), established a temple of the goddess Mahisasura in honour of his late mother.
  22. ^ "Corpus of Khmer Inscriptions". SEA classics Khmer (in French). K.257N. 'Mratāñ Khloñ Çrī Narapativarman chargea . . . . neveu de Mratāñ Khloñ, d'amener à la Cour Vāp Dan, boxeur . . . Vāp In, khloñ jnvāl des boxeurs, Vāp Go mūla, Vāp Gāp mūla, Vāp Dan mūla, Vāp [Ayak] mūla des boxeurs du pays de Gamryāṅ'. [...]Il exposa que Vāp Vit, khloñ jnvāl des boxeurs, avait emprunté à intérêt un jyaṅ d'argent, un vodi pesant six jyaṅ, et dix yo de vêtements à Mratāñ Khloñ Çrī Narapativīravarman pour acheter . . . mandira
  23. ^ Chhorn, Norn (19 October 2022). "Bokator Federation formed for SEA Games". The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2 March 2024. Bokator as practised today is a modern version of a martial art that was long used by Khmer soldiers on the ancient battlefields of the Khmer Empire.
  24. ^ "Kbach Kun Khmer Boran". Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia. 30 October 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2024. Kbach Kun Khmer Boran (Khmer martial arts) date back more than a thousand years, as evidenced by carvings and bas-reliefs in the Angkor temples. The martial arts include Bokator, Pradal Serey, Baok Chambab, Kbach Kun Dambong Vèng, amongst others.
  25. ^ Lim, Nary (31 January 2023). "Archaeologist shows Cambodian martial art sculptures at Khmer temples". Khmer Times. Retrieved 2 March 2024. A well-rounded archaeologist of the APSARA National Authority has unveiled Cambodian martial art bas-relief sculptures at temples at Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap province. The archaeologist Phoeung Dara said that some Cambodian martial art bas-relief sculptures are related to Kun Khmer, wrestling and Lbokator.
  26. ^ Groslier, George (1921). Recherches sur les Cambodgiens (PDF) (in French). Augustin CHALLAMEL éditeur. p. 85. Ce groupement de soldats à l'entrée ou dans les dépendances d'un palais est constant sur tous les bas-reliefs. Ils se livrent aux jeux de la lutte, devisent, assistent à des scènes de danse.
  27. ^ a b Kun L'Bokator, traditional martial arts in Cambodia. unesco.org (video).
  28. ^ Buth, Kimsay (23 June 2016). "RCAF Soldiers to Train in Ancient Martial Art". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  29. ^ a b Fossard, Brice (2013). "Le roi Sisowath Monivong et l'introduction du sport occidental au Cambodge. Vers une modernisation de la monarchie cambodgienne". Brice Fossard (in French). 31. 85-106. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  30. ^ Répertoire général du commerce national et international; répertoire de l'importation et de l'exportation universelles, divisé par pays et tenu au courant des modifications légales, fiscales et industrielles, par une publication périodique annuelle (in French). Vol. 3. 1905. p. 534. [...] leurs jeux préférés sont ceux de la balle, de la paume, l'escrime du bâton, la boxe, les luttes corps à corps...
  31. ^ Chauffard, Émile (1907). "Les populations du Cambodge et du Laos". Revue internationale de sociologie (International Review of Sociology) (in French) (7–12): 563. Les Cambodgiens sont aussi grands amateurs de sports. Ils se passionnent pour les courses d'éléphants, de chevaux, de buffles, les courses en barque, les luttes, les assauts de boxe ou de bâton. Pas de grandes fêtes sans ces tournois où les champions Khmers sont généralement opposés aux champions Kiams. La lutte est toujours courtoise, et entre les deux partis rivaux le public ne manifeste pas de préférence.
  32. ^ (Rajavaramuni 1984)
  33. ^ Forest, Alain (4 September 2008). Le Cambodge et la colonisation française, histoire d'une colonisation sans heurts (1897-1920) (in French). L'Harmattan. p. 147. ISBN 9782858021390.
  34. ^ Marchal, Sappho (1927). "La danse au Cambodge". Revue des arts asiatiques (in French). 4: 227. Les préliminaires de séances de boxe cambodgienne sont aussi de véritables danses, dont les mouvements sont exécutés en partie les jambes pliées
  35. ^ a b "Comment on raconte l'histoire". Saïgon sportif (in French). 21 April 1933. p. 9.
  36. ^ a b Graceffo, A. (n.d.). Bokator Khmer: The Ancient Form of Cambodian Martial Arts. Tales of Asia. Retrieved April 4, 2022
  37. ^ a b "Nearly wiped out by genocide, Long Beach resident helps revive Cambodian martial art". Long Beach Press Telegram. 2015-09-17. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  38. ^ Kay, Kimsong (2006-09-27). "300 Participate in First Bokator Competition". The Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  39. ^ "Kun L'Bokator, traditional martial arts in Cambodia". Retrieved 2022-12-19.
  40. ^ "National Kun Bokator Championship organised for first time in Srinagar". Times of India. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  41. ^ Rodriguez T. Senase, Jose (5 May 2020). "Online availability of Surviving Bokator extended to May 18". Khmer Times. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
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External links