Martial Arts Of The World - Webs
Martial Arts Of The World - Webs Martial Arts Of The World - Webs
636 Thaing Kachin animal systems embody both the physical and mental attributes of the animal described. Systems are further tied into human attributes as well, because it is believed that a fighting method must fit the individual’s nature rather than force the individual to conform to the system. As an example, the Bull system with its “charging, tackling, [and] power striking” is for a big, strong, aggressive person who likes to deliver punishment to an opponent and does not mind receiving punishment in return. In a confrontation, the Bull will attempt, as far as possible, to remain at a distance from an opponent until the opportunity to deliver a devastating attack arises. The Boar is a smaller, quicker version of the Bull, for someone who attempts to get inside and work from clinching range. Lethwei is therefore said to be a combination of the Bull and Boar sets. Nevertheless, neither Bull nor Boar is simply a form of stand-up striking; they incorporate ground fighting as well. However, the ground fighting in these sets seeks less to grapple than to pin the enemy to the ground to be struck at will. Thus, during a takedown, body weight drives through the opponent’s legs and torso along with twisting and lifting slams. In contrast, there are several Snake systems that are very supple, quick, and relaxed. For example, the Python subset is mostly grappling. Here the purpose of strikes is to stun so that the opponent can be taken to the ground for the finishing techniques. Python takedowns rely primarily on imposing one’s body weight on an opponent. The Kachin style also includes a Monk system, which utilizes internal martial methods. Given the qigong practice reported in the histories of related groups such as the Miao, a Chinese heritage for this system is a tempting hypothesis. Practitioners, however, with backgrounds in yoga, xingyiquan (hsing i ch’uan), acupuncture, and qigong contend that the Monk system demonstrates more affinity to Indian yoga than to the Chinese internal arts. Each method (“animal”) is a martial art in its own right, with its own techniques, specific exercises, and weapons. Before specializing, the practitioner trains for about five years in lethwei. Upon completion of this period, the student then trains in an animal system for the rest of his career. Each animal, however, is part of a much greater whole. Nonfamily members learn an individual animal, but the family of the lineage holder learns an overall system that teaches the underlying concepts of each system. This makes it possible to exploit weaknesses inherent in a given animal or to fuse the combat techniques of the various subsets, ensuring that the family line of the lineage holder will be able to defeat all others in the group. Summary Via bandô, thaing has had an impact on martial arts in North America and Europe. It is (at least as conceived by contemporary Western society) a mixed
martial art. As a result, its methods adapt well to self-defense applications (civilian, military, and law enforcement) and the no-holds-barred circuit. Phil Dunlap See also Muay Thai; Southeast Asia References Aung-Thwin, Michael. 1998. Myth and History in the Historiography of Early Burma: Paradigms, Primary Sources, and Prejudices. Athens: Ohio University Press. “Burmese Boxing Sees Revival.” http://www.blackbeltmag.com/archives/ blackbelt/1970/sep70/BBT.html. Diran, Richard K. 1997. The Vanishing Tribes of Burma. New York: Amphoto Art, 1997. Draeger, Donn F., and Robert W. Smith. 1981. Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts. Tokyo: Kodansha. Dunlap, Phil. n.d. “Fieldnotes on Research among the Jinghpaw (Kachin) 1980–1989.” Unpublished. Dunlop, Richard. 1979. Behind Japanese Lines: With the OSS in Burma. Chicago: Rand McNally. Greenwood, Nicholas. 1998. Shades of Gold and Green: Anecdotes of Colonial Burmah, 1886–1948. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. Hogan, David W. Jr. 1992. U.S. Army Special Operations in World War II: CMH Publication 70-42. Washington, DC: Department of the Army. Leach, E. R. 1986. Political Systems of Highland Burma: A Study of Kachin Social Structure. Monographs on Social Anthropology, No. 44. London: Athlone Press. Mitton, G. E. (Lady Scott). 1936. Scott of the Shan Hills: Orders and Impressions. London: Butler and Tanner. Nordstrom, Carolyn. 1997. A Different Kind of War. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. O’Shaunessy, William “Wild Bill.” n.d. “Diaries, Manuscripts, and Notes from a Lifetime among the Chingpaw.” Unpublished. Author’s private collection. Scott, Sir James George. 1932. Burma and Beyond. London: Grayson and Grayson. Wijeyewardene, Gehan. 1990. Thai-Yunnan Project Newsletter #8. March. http://ftp.nectec.or.th/pub/info/thai-yunnan/thai-yunnan-nwsltr–08.txt. Thang-Ta Thang-ta (Meiteilon; sword-spear) is the popular Manipuri name for a set of armed and unarmed fighting techniques developed by the Meitei people of the state of Manipur, India. The formal name for this martial system is Huyen Lallong (Meiteilon; art of warfare). Bordered on the east by Myanmar (Burma), the state of Manipur (total area: 8,456 square miles) in northeastern India consists geographically of an oval valley of about 700 square miles surrounded by densely forested mountain ranges. Each of the various communities residing in the valley possesses its own distinct religious practices. The Meiteis have long been Thang-Ta 637
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636 Thaing<br />
Kachin animal systems embody both the physical and mental attributes<br />
of the animal described. Systems are further tied into human attributes<br />
as well, because it is believed that a fighting method must fit the individual’s<br />
nature rather than force the individual to conform to the system.<br />
As an example, the Bull system with its “charging, tackling, [and] power<br />
striking” is for a big, strong, aggressive person who likes to deliver punishment<br />
to an opponent and does not mind receiving punishment in return.<br />
In a confrontation, the Bull will attempt, as far as possible, to remain at a<br />
distance from an opponent until the opportunity to deliver a devastating<br />
attack arises. <strong>The</strong> Boar is a smaller, quicker version of the Bull, for someone<br />
who attempts to get inside and work from clinching range. Lethwei is<br />
therefore said to be a combination of the Bull and Boar sets. Nevertheless,<br />
neither Bull nor Boar is simply a form of stand-up striking; they incorporate<br />
ground fighting as well. However, the ground fighting in these sets<br />
seeks less to grapple than to pin the enemy to the ground to be struck at<br />
will. Thus, during a takedown, body weight drives through the opponent’s<br />
legs and torso along with twisting and lifting slams.<br />
In contrast, there are several Snake systems that are very supple,<br />
quick, and relaxed. For example, the Python subset is mostly grappling.<br />
Here the purpose of strikes is to stun so that the opponent can be taken to<br />
the ground for the finishing techniques. Python takedowns rely primarily<br />
on imposing one’s body weight on an opponent.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kachin style also includes a Monk system, which utilizes internal<br />
martial methods. Given the qigong practice reported in the histories of related<br />
groups such as the Miao, a Chinese heritage for this system is a tempting<br />
hypothesis. Practitioners, however, with backgrounds in yoga, xingyiquan<br />
(hsing i ch’uan), acupuncture, and qigong contend that the Monk system<br />
demonstrates more affinity to Indian yoga than to the Chinese internal arts.<br />
Each method (“animal”) is a martial art in its own right, with its own<br />
techniques, specific exercises, and weapons. Before specializing, the practitioner<br />
trains for about five years in lethwei. Upon completion of this period,<br />
the student then trains in an animal system for the rest of his career.<br />
Each animal, however, is part of a much greater whole. Nonfamily<br />
members learn an individual animal, but the family of the lineage holder<br />
learns an overall system that teaches the underlying concepts of each system.<br />
This makes it possible to exploit weaknesses inherent in a given animal or<br />
to fuse the combat techniques of the various subsets, ensuring that the family<br />
line of the lineage holder will be able to defeat all others in the group.<br />
Summary<br />
Via bandô, thaing has had an impact on martial arts in North America and<br />
Europe. It is (at least as conceived by contemporary Western society) a mixed