Martial Arts Styles: Muay Boran

Muay Boran (ancient Boxing) is the ancester of Muay Thai. Muay Thai is called the Art of Eight Limbs, but Muay Boran has one up on it:

Muay Boran uses nine weapons, the eight of Muay Thai, plus the head.

Muay Boran was a Combat Art that was used in Hand to Hand fighting. The three peoples of this area of Asia were constantly at war with each other. And the battles that were fought were proving grounds for their fighting styles. And like Japanese JuJitsu of the Samurai, the Thai Warrior used their knowledge of Muay Boran if they lost their weapon in battle.

Muay Boran also became a Combat Sport that was fought in front of spectators.

Originally a Muay Boran bout was fought bare-handed, but later the fighters wore hemp wrappings around their fists.

Muay Boran probably was influenced by Indian and Chinese Martial Arts, but developed its own characteristics and evolved differently than these arts. Muay Boran's stances are lower and wider than its decendant Muay Thai.

Muay Boran emphasizes Powerful Elbow, and Knee techniques, and it absorbed elements of Western Boxing in the early part of the 20th century.

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