San Kimsean (middle) and his learners. Photo courtesy: Cambodia Sin Chew Daily
Ancient Khmer boxing in action. Photo courtesy: Cambodia Sin Chew Daily
The learners practising the bokator in the rundown training ground. Photo courtesy: Cambodia Sin Chew Daily
Perrier giving a round-up of the making of his documentary film. Photo courtesy: Cambodia Sin Chew Daily
Through sketches, Perrier highlights the bokator moves' origin from animal fights. Photo courtesy: Cambodia Sin Chew Daily2010-05-25
MySinchew (Singapore)
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Bokator, an ancient Cambodian martial arts form whose origins date as far back as the 9th century, had almost died out before it was resurrected by the efforts of cultural workers. Thanks to a French instructor , it has even been brought to the silver screen now and is making a strong comeback throughout Cambodia.
According to historical records, bokator can be traced all the way back to the Khmer Empire in the 9th century. The people at the time initially created bokator as a way of fighting against wild beasts and self defence. The style originally emulated a lion's fight, however it gradually changed into a martial arts form and gave rise to many legends. From what we know, ancient Khmer soldiers had to learn bokator, and history books recorded that the Khmer army used bokator to defeat the invading Siamese troops during the 16th century.
However, with the passage of time, bokator has gradually faded into obscurity, and many Cambodians now are not even aware of it.
It was chance that brought well-known French artist Daniel Perrier into contact with bokator. Daniel, 50, is an instructor at the School of Fine Arts in Paris. He travelled to Cambodia in 2008 to personally study and research Cambodia's culture and arts. While sightseeing at Orussey Market, he picked up a flyer printed with a boxing image from the floor, arousing his curiosity and interest.
22 training centres around the country
After asking around a little, he arrived at the Olympic Stadium and saw a group of young people seriously practising boxing. Although the training ground and facilities were simple, the old instructor and his young learners did not let up in their effort. In addition, their moves were very unique and different from other boxing styles he had known, triggering his intention of making a documentary about this boxing style.
With the cooperation of the sole remaining bokator instructor San Kimsean, Perrier successfully completed his documentary (Une Breve Histoire du Boxkator) about bokator, enabling people around the world to learn about the origins and developments of this ancient martial arts.
Perrier also hopes that it will attract more young people to learn it, with 60% of the proceeds from sale of the documentary's DVD to be used to improve the training ground and its facilities. The duo's greatest wish is that bokator can spread and flourish beyond Cambodia's borders.
This documentary uses an all-new angle to talk about the origins and uniqueness of bokator. Through a personal lecture by bokator instructor San Kimsean and the effort the students put into their training, it is hoped that more young people will be attracted to take up bokator, so that this ancient martial art which has almost died out can be preserved and handed down to future generations.
Currently, aside from the bokator school in Phnom Penh, there are 22 other training centres all over Cambodia. Unfortunately, they are unable to secure any funding and are in a difficult situation for continued survival.
Instructor San Kimsean says he teaches this old martial art to young people in the hope that they are able to show their strength and confidence through it.
When talking about the difficulties in promoting bokator, he said, "It's like I have walked into a dream, and am building an ancient palace."
He believes his sacrifices and efforts are worthwhile, because while Cambodia is seeking social and economic development, its youth must also engage in healthy activities to vent their excess energy.
This documentary about bokator premiered at the French Cultural Centre on April 8.
(Translated by ALEX YUEN/Cambodia Sin Chew Daily)
According to historical records, bokator can be traced all the way back to the Khmer Empire in the 9th century. The people at the time initially created bokator as a way of fighting against wild beasts and self defence. The style originally emulated a lion's fight, however it gradually changed into a martial arts form and gave rise to many legends. From what we know, ancient Khmer soldiers had to learn bokator, and history books recorded that the Khmer army used bokator to defeat the invading Siamese troops during the 16th century.
However, with the passage of time, bokator has gradually faded into obscurity, and many Cambodians now are not even aware of it.
It was chance that brought well-known French artist Daniel Perrier into contact with bokator. Daniel, 50, is an instructor at the School of Fine Arts in Paris. He travelled to Cambodia in 2008 to personally study and research Cambodia's culture and arts. While sightseeing at Orussey Market, he picked up a flyer printed with a boxing image from the floor, arousing his curiosity and interest.
22 training centres around the country
After asking around a little, he arrived at the Olympic Stadium and saw a group of young people seriously practising boxing. Although the training ground and facilities were simple, the old instructor and his young learners did not let up in their effort. In addition, their moves were very unique and different from other boxing styles he had known, triggering his intention of making a documentary about this boxing style.
With the cooperation of the sole remaining bokator instructor San Kimsean, Perrier successfully completed his documentary (Une Breve Histoire du Boxkator) about bokator, enabling people around the world to learn about the origins and developments of this ancient martial arts.
Perrier also hopes that it will attract more young people to learn it, with 60% of the proceeds from sale of the documentary's DVD to be used to improve the training ground and its facilities. The duo's greatest wish is that bokator can spread and flourish beyond Cambodia's borders.
This documentary uses an all-new angle to talk about the origins and uniqueness of bokator. Through a personal lecture by bokator instructor San Kimsean and the effort the students put into their training, it is hoped that more young people will be attracted to take up bokator, so that this ancient martial art which has almost died out can be preserved and handed down to future generations.
Currently, aside from the bokator school in Phnom Penh, there are 22 other training centres all over Cambodia. Unfortunately, they are unable to secure any funding and are in a difficult situation for continued survival.
Instructor San Kimsean says he teaches this old martial art to young people in the hope that they are able to show their strength and confidence through it.
When talking about the difficulties in promoting bokator, he said, "It's like I have walked into a dream, and am building an ancient palace."
He believes his sacrifices and efforts are worthwhile, because while Cambodia is seeking social and economic development, its youth must also engage in healthy activities to vent their excess energy.
This documentary about bokator premiered at the French Cultural Centre on April 8.
(Translated by ALEX YUEN/Cambodia Sin Chew Daily)
29 comments:
Come on, Khmer martial art is a joke. Their best weapon is begging technique. Khmer beggars are everywhere on Earth, and promote Khmer begging style. Hahaha
12:38AM! ok! LOL!
Bokator is the original Thai martial arts, which was stollen by Khmer. Khmer was/is good at Stealing, Begging and licking...
1:08AM, you're wrong, I'm a Thai, my father, my fater father and my father father father tell us that we are always thief and bandit, we are a very bad people, we lie, we steal and cheat for our entire life..
12:38AM,
You're the one who beg money all of your life along with your parents and sybblings. Khmer are not poor enough to beg the money. Only a scum person like you who beg. Don't be asshole with Khmer people.
You must be either Vietcong or Ah Chor Siem.
Khmer in Washington DC
That is what I meant when you see the kind of posters like the 12:38 and the 1:08, they are Thai in nature and all they see are negative things in their hearts for Cambodia's success stories. I think they world will not buy that... fact is fact, history is history. I am glad there are some fair minded people who would buy in to this guy/Thai government propaganda. History tells they are copying Cambodia's civilization; yet they are denying and demonizing Cambodia instead.
12:38AM and 1:08AM:
You're just one person who wrote all these three stupid comments.
You're Ah Chor Siem who stole our Khmer culture and made it your own. You stole our language, tradition, and culture. We're superior than Ah Chor Siem. We're Khmer Angkor who built all the famous temples around S/E Asia including Vietnam and Thailand.
Ah Chor Siem and Ah Vietcong stole Khmer land because of Khmer leaders are stupid including Ah Hun Sen and Ah Sihanouk and You, Ah Tmirl Ort Sasna and Ah Kbot Chheat like your master, Hun Shit.
Khmer in the United States
Sorry to the audience to be nasty at the first three comments.
These people including our current government can't talk nice to them anymore. We need to blast them as loud as we can. Otherwise, our land and her people will be destroyed by this one Kwak man, Hun Sen.
Khmer in Washington DC
true khmer ancient fighting arts ressurrected. thank god.
Yoyo, I am a gay Khmer soldier, we don't know how to fight, when the Thais and Viets come in, we shit ourself and give them whatever they want.Check Cambodia map to see my word. Now it's hard to check where Cambodia on the map though
Dear compatrots, I am a Khmer, now nearly 60 years old, there is one thing I want to share with Khmer all my hornesty!, I obviously Do not knew this Khmer's WORD a(BOKATOR)it's very strange weird word to me personally. I want to share as well my territory in Cambodia during my LIFE are, Battemborng, Komporng-thom, Siam-reap, Oddormeanchey Provinces and thailand,Surin, Boriram, Sisaket, Nokoreach Sima provinces becaus I am a Khmer farmer between these territories. I will share the similar word what these territories usage: (Lbock')Pron: Lb-ock', there're two meaning, it depending how you're using it!before noun! such as: LBOCK'TOR, two words Lbock'= Ambushing-attack it's a word to describ how the Lion attaquing, TOR= Lion, when both combined it meas the Lion ambushed,or the ambushing of Lion, and
refering to another usage it's similarity to a Khmer's meaning word said: Sror-Bock'= Shorterm of duration=(a while,an instence, for instence, Suddently, a moment,..ect)when you use before adjective. Somehow we're using as stilling something by behind= to sneaking in english word.
I think the word that I have knonw above, it mays becoming a BOCKATOR word, I am sure if you mention this word to Khmer public out of the group, has no one understand the WORD what it means!.
This is my precious sharing Khmer's similar words meaning to all.
Keep up your key dear!bravo!
Khmer beggars are now proud to be refugees, we need to bring our begging technique to copyright. BEGGING TECHQUIRE BELONGS TO CAMBODIAN.
To be exact who could do what:
You "Syam" (the nickname khmer gave Thai - a type of drum we all beat it on the head for fun) look closely at the bas -reliefs in the galleries of Angkor.
Every Khmer soldier you see has one foot on top of his opponent before he finishes the unlucky opponent with his spear on his right hand.
That is BOKATOR - the enemy rushed in forward for the Khmer raised spear, forgetting that the real weapon was the Khmer "KICKS" (literally kick ass), so the poor soul received a massive blow at the groin, tripped and fell flat on his back, thereafter he would receive the "coup de grace" from a forceful blow of the right handed Khmer spear.
Look long and hard you will see what I am trying to explain. All were carved in STONE you cannot deny our authenticity.
CHEER!!!!!!!!!
bokator is a western way of spelling the real khmer word "lbeach tor" or "bok tor" which mean the lion strength or lion method. don't look at the mean literally, in our khmer language, we often refer to lion as tor to mean strength, strong energy, etc... it doesn't mean lion literally, it just the metaphor for it. you have to think of this word as western spelling or pronounciation of our real khmer word. i don't know much about martial art, but i understand that this is an ancient khmer art of fighting way before man invented guns, canons, ordnance, etc... and bokator was probably derived from the true khmer meaning to the way i explain above. look at the western spelling of the khmer province of kracheh; they spelled it "kratie" which we we pronounce in english is so strange to khmer ears, but in our heart and mind, we know it means "khet kracheh" in khmer. the same concept with bokator or bok tor or lbeach tor and so on, really! it's just the western spelling that throws people off, especially khmer people. so, i suggest we consult this world with elderly khmer and educated khmer people who have knowledge about this word and the khmer martial arts, etc... don't ask the foreginer about khmer words, they will say it wrong or different from our true khmer meaning, really! that's all!
yes, khmer bokator was the secret to the warrior-like khmer empire of the angkor civilization that flourished in mainland southeast asia of the time. it was the weapon or method of fight of choice for the khmer angkor civilization, etc... back then, guns wasn't invented by man, yet. so, this ancient khmer martial art was very useful for khmer angkor civilization to be successful as it was then, really! it was the secret to khmer fighting forces then and always useful to learn this ancient khmer fighting method, even in today's for self protection and self-defense use, etc...
Muoy Thai derived most of its fighting tecnique from Khmer's Bokator.
Muoy Thai aren't shit. they copied their style from Our Khmer Martial Arts. During Angkor period we Khmer who possessed these Bokator (Khmer Martial art) kicked those Thai asshole all the way back to their camps. Look at what is happening in Thailand right now. They think they are great? just give them another 5 years, they will be falling aparts.
I like the Youn if I have to choose between the Thais. These Thais mother fuckers are nothing but thief and robberies all they are good at.
A siple word is KBACH-TOR= LION TECHNIC when a Lion attaquing prey. The Khmer anciant Knew the Kbach-Tor=Lion Technics and Kbach-Klar= the Tiger Technics(Twea Pram-Bei), if, who ever asking Khmer people in general about BOKATOR word none of them understand because it's not Khmer word possible these two Khmer words: BOK n' TOR
BOK= Pounding or knocking out by hand point or American Football using their head or shoulder to knock the oponent player out of way in English, TOR= LION, when combinaison it should stay still two words permanently, Exemp:BOK and TOR=BOK-TOR then Khmer people will realize that Oh! it may be the Kbach-Tor not the Kbach-Klar.
The word LBOCK'-TOR or TOR-LBORCK=Lion Ambushing Attaquing Technics or Kbach-Tor(literally Boxing term).
Most in here claimed khmer is the best, great brightness culture and civilization.
Why Khmer always took the great lost to Thai and Vietnam?
I never believe Khmer was the greater Empire. According to the characteristic of the current Leaders.
Every civilization rises and falls. The falls of civilization is caused by changing trends in philosophies and administrative methods and attitudes.
I certainly myself, never claimed that Khmer is the best and brightest. I do not think that human ingenuity have a discrimination towards one particular race over another.
The advances of a civilization is made through accumulation of wealth and knowledge how to distribute and generate that wealth in the confined boundary of the kingdom.
We see in history, Khmer changes drastically in terms of administration and philosophies. We fall because of these reasons. Our leaders become selfish, everybody become about self and atma. No more sangkum, chiat, nation, or empire.
It was an inevitable change, the wind of grace was blowing away from the Khmer civilization and so it fell. Nothing more.
That said, as for Bokator, it is a Khmer martial arts. What is best is up to the practitioner to decide. Of the Khmer will always say their art is the best, and as the Tai will say their art is the best.
It is just the nature of competition and people's need to feel recognized and affirm.
each of us grows up to our own individual taste. For myself, Bokator does offer a rather unique way of fighting and it is a system entrenched with culture and identity of the Khmer people. So as Khmer I always want to protect what is given to me by my ancestors.
I like the Pleng Arak, the Skors, The Srolays, the Dances, rituals, ceremonies, and all parts of Khmer culture. Bokator seem to incorporate many aspect of Khmer culture, not just the former warrior spirit, but the spiritual belief and practices of the people.
That is why it is a beautiful art in my opinion and the best. It is not just fight, but philosophy culture, myths, religion. All meld together. It is a remanent artifact of a time when Khmer were truly united and in harmony with their world - kingdom, people, and culture.
You can't say that about most martial arts. The only thing Muay Boran and Muay Thai have that really differentiates it to other arts is the wai kru dance and music. Which in essence is just Khmer version of Thwai Kru and ritual music.
5:54am, what you're saying here also echoed what the first european explorers first discovered ancient angkor ruins in cambodia. they always wondered how a mediocre society like khmer society at the time when they visited cambodia built such gigantic monuments, very impressive and astonishing for the world; however, you have to keep in mind too, that during angkor heyday, there were great rulers, great warriors, and probably great system of gov't too, however, when those great and enabling leaders died or passed away due to old age, etc, situation and circumstances and even great civilization like that of khmer angkor declined with the death of the great rulers, etc, you know! that's why it is good to train future generation of leaders to carry on the same great achievement as the previous leaders. if they are selfish and greedy and not think of national interest first, not have love for nation and people, etc, of course, it will end, like everything else in life, you know. it is as simple as that, really! it's called nothing last forever, you know. usually, it starts with a death of the great leaders, the god-king!
hey, did you know that in political science studies, the best form of gov't is actual the absolute ruler by a king or queen, not a democratic or any other form of government, really! study poltical sciences and sociology and you will understand this concept. yes, the world's best form of gov't is really the one rule by the absolute monarchy. but again, we all know that was history and perhaps not allowable in this day and age any more! that's probably explained partly why khmer great god-king of the angkor era were so powerful and achieved so much then; it's their absolute, gok-king power which no one dare to disagree back then or goes your head!
yes, the thwai kru is still practice in dance ritual, martial arts rituals, and so forth. it's just khmer way of honoring their kruu or teachers or ancestors, etc... i wouldn't be surprised that siem people copied or adopted many things from khmer way, especially khmer has angkor to prove to the world that we once were a great civilization which decclined with time passing and death of great rulers, etc... partly to blame in the lack of system of gov't or rule of law which spelled out rules and policy, etc for next generation. back then, angkor had great system of gov't, however, the god-kings of that time had to fight for it, not through election like we have today society, but by scandals, royal intrique, power grapping, by the bokator way. well, even then, guns weren't invented by man yet. so...
Two countries can't create the same exact culture unless one copied from another.
Thailand was Khmer Empire land and Khmer created already Khmer Civilization there when Thai still lived in Nanchao, Thai just came and copied all Khmer creation and claimed as Thai even Khmer Sak Yant is Khmer written in Khmer and Thai still claimed as Thai without shame.
I had many Thai friends and they always told me that they adored Khmer arts and culture. They (Thai) worship our ancient Khmer tattoos over their own because Khmer tatts are more powerful and effective. That is why every Thai that wears tattoos on them are written in Khmer pali. If you just happen to Thai man with tattoos, pay closely you'll see Khmer tattoos on them.
correction on 10:06
If you just happen to see a Thai man with tattoos, pay attention very closely you'll see Khmer tattoos on them. Only Thai crooks will claim as theirs.
Why would the thais call kick boxing muay thai if we've always referred to them as siams for hundreds of years? its obvious that the muay thai was a name that they gave it later on once they mimmicked and copied our Khmer "Pradal Serey or "Pdach Kun Khmer" style which was used by ancient Khmer warriors since Angkor Era. This Khmer style of fighting is also inscripted along the walls of the ancient temples. Khmer people has always been referred to as Khmer and this will continue eternally unlike the siam infidels!!
Anyone want to see old Khmer Martial Arts photos please type in Google Cambodian Boxing 1920 Photos and look for Khmer440.
In the period to 76 BC, the Khmer were already part of the forces that ruled most of Southeast Asia at once time. Thanks to the most brutal Khmer Martial Arts Kun Bokator. They had a war with Japan over the Philippines and ended up in a stalemate. They controlled half of the country in the south, while Japan controlled the north. They built most of the Buddhist monasteries in Indonesia, if not all. They introduced Khmer style of writing to Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Look at their ancient texts, you will find that some symbols are exactly the same as the Khmer symbols. Check out the Srivijaya Empire.
During the 1205 - 1279, when the Mongol conquest of China, they pushed a Chinese tribe called the Tai from southern China to the Khmer territory. They decided to establish a kingdom of Siam within a Khmer kingdom in 1238. The long journey through walking for years can turn anyone into a strong fighter. The tribe turned into a powerful army and took more than half of the kingdom of Khmer kingdom. They were small tribes and to establish a successful kingdom needed populations and, therefore, Khmer civilians were integrated.
If a Thai descent from Khmer ancestors wants to find its root it's within the ancient Khmer Kingdom (Kampuchea, Kampuchea Krom, Thailand, Laos). If a Thai descend from Chinese ancestors wants to find its root it's in southern China. They should go and check out if southern China have any culture that includes traditional music, clothing, dance, musical instruments and Martial arts which are similar to the ancient Khmer Kingdom.
The word "Boran" is a Khmer word for the ancients and the Thai used the same word. There are many ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples of Khmer in Thailand. The province with the largest ethnic Khmer is in Surin, with around 15 million, where most musicians are, good combatants like Tony Jaa and Buakaw Banchamek.
There are 3 known popular fighting techniques (KUN). (1) Bokator (Kun Lbokator) is popular for both males and females, (2) Yuthakun Khorm (Kun Khmer Boran) and is popular among armies and military, (3) Kun Khmer (Khmer Boxing) is popular in a competition sports. Anyone can learn this Martial Arts but the Khmer can learn and adapt to it quickly because it has been part of Khmer tradition and culture as well as traditional music.
Muay Thai is another version of Khmer Martial Arts that was introduced in Thailand by the native of Ethics Khmer there. Thailand and Cambodia brought their own martial arts to UNESCO. They rejected Muay Thai and accepted Kun Bokator as the original in November 2022. UNESCO's body is a complete historian, the truth will always prevail at the end. "Three things cannot be hidden for a long time: the sun, the moon and the truth" - Gautama Buddha.
Khmer has practiced the Marital Arts from more than 2100 years and no progressive photo until around 1900. Write Google "Cambodian Boxing 1920 photos" and look for Khmer440.
Khmer words "Muay Sror-Bok", "Muay Plate", "Muay Santuss" means momentary or lasting for a remarkably brief time. The word Khmer "Tor" means lion. Bokator (Bok-Tor) derived from Tor and "Muay Sror-Bok" without "Muay Sror". Bokator means a brief meeting fight with a strong prey like a lion.
We wonder what "Muay" means in Thai. The Thais who people speaking one of the Tai group of languages from southern China settled in Kampuchea what is now Thailand around 1,000 years ago did they robbed the word the word Khmer "Muay"and turned it into Muay Thai for a Martial Arts from Khmer ancestors.
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