Bokator

Mae Kun Khmer breaks down to different styles, techniques or Kbach from the Mae - core foundations.  The "L’Bokatao" or "L’Bokator" is one of the Mae among many Mae, which breaks down to the martial art of it own style and is a complete and a powerful art.  Founder founder, Lok Kru Sakikori named the art as Lokusskor in 257 A.D.  In 537 A.D. Lok Kru Yaksakri named another Mae "Twin Shield Sticks" and Lok Kru Kamakyutparak also found the "Twin swords" in the same years.  Khmer wrestling found by Lok Kru Brahmin Teebok in 1332 A.D. By 1682 A.D. Ta_Boss Taomakrak Dechess Entra Yut Krom Khom which later combined to one short name as L’Bokatao. 

KUN KHMER - L'BOKATAO

Khmer Warrior legendary of Nak Ta Dambang Dek statue in Battambang province

Base on the time line and first Khmer language usage during that time was Sanskrit hence the written on the ancient monuments wall.  The original is L'Bokatao, and it pronouns L’Bokk_Kak_ Tao” found around 3^rd A.D (Koh Santepheap Daily, 2009).  L’Bokatao defines in the Khmer dictionary title “Dictionnaire Cambodgien” published 1967-1968, as Kun L’Bokatao or translated as twin staff (dambang Klaiy) used as shield against a long staff (dambang veng) 3^rd A.D.   L’Bokatao is a combine style of Jombab – Khmer wrestling, Kun Dambang – long or short staffs, Kun Dao – short or long sword, Kun Kall, Kun Konsaing, Kun Lompang etc…

L’Bokatao links deep into the ancient Khmer Akom Kear Ta (mantra), which used Khmer script (Ak_sor mool or Khom) for composition of the mantra.  It derived immediately from the Pallava script, a variety of the Grantha script of South India, which in turn ultimately is descended from the ancient Brahmi script of India (Lo 196).  Khmer Akom Kear Ta is words that control the mind which provide the tools for power.  Ancient Khmer martial art of Kbach Kun Boran Khmer has three form or stage of power usage during warfare including hard-soft and fast-slow.  The most power usage is level 1 and level 2.  Level 3 is barely used because it is a collection of states of consciousness which contributively exist throughout the physical and subtle bodies.  L’Bokatao word derived of Sanskrit means in Khmer as AKTAN or TANTRAS (energy) e.g. Yantra AKTAN as shown image bellowed.

Image (Pan 1971)

The sacred of Yantra ("Sangvar")

a head and arm bands wore by ancient Khmer warriors or fighters  

MAES KUN L'Bokatao was designed for hand techniques which strike 3 to 5 combination simultaneously to certain joins location in a human body weak point.   Its stands are low and strikes are in short range, mainly to disable the human body joins.   

Due to the prolong wars in Cambodia, the Khmer scholar had hidden the training method art into the daily life of the Khmer people and culture such as dances, Bok Srouv, Phyousrae etc.  Up to these days not even the Khmer people of it own, know such a powerful art is living among them self.  Here are a few examples:     

• Ram Kback – Kbach Kun Tvear Mae 2
• Ram Vong – Kbach Kun Tvear Mae 4
• Bok Srouv – Smashing rice is a long staff training method
• More undocument ....

Twear and Mae

Twear and Mae are the heart and soul of Kbach Kun Boran Khmer L’Bokatao.  Twea translates as doors (emphasis of foot works) and Mae or Mdiey (emphasis of leading techniques) translates as mother, leader or chief.  The word “Mae” have link and traced back to the Khmer Baku of “Mae Ba Ta Preah Chai” (Pro. Keng Vansak 2007).  Before Khmer formed the first kingdom of Nokor Phnom, the Mon-Khmer lives as tribes, pretty much scattered all over the South East Asia. 

This is Jomho Tvear - Doors system

Image (Sok 2008)

When Khmer established it first kingdom, they break a way from the Mon and became just Khmer or Kingdom of Kambuja or the Nokor Phom (Funan is a more well known among historians). In the ancient Khmer culture, female considered as leaders, but protected by the males, hence “Mae” come before “Ba.”  The Construction of Angkor Wat and many other historical monuments symbolize the Khmer Baku religion of Mae Ba Ta Preah Chai.  For example the monuments are the Mae and protected by surround water, the Ba.  Other examples are the five towers symbolize the Khmer Baku religion of Mae Ba Ta Preah Chai teaching.  Prum Muk Bon, the four faces, also the representation of the Baku teaching as well, connected to the Prum Vichhear Tour Tang Bon or the four elements of earth, water, winds and fire. 

In the society aspect, Mae is usually referred to as leader or chief, for example, Mae Pum – lead chief of village, Mae Krum – lead chief of group, Mae Tiep – lead chief of warrior etc.  In the martial aspect, Mae is lead or root of techniques, much like the symbols or formulas mathematic equation.  Mae covers the offensive and defensive of a human body from head down to toes.  For example Mae SamTom (Boran Mae 1) is a defensive of hands, where Mae Wai Mouyjom is a defensive of hitting in different angles and targets sequentially.  Can the Mae be used in the actual fight?  You can ask the same on the mathematic equation, is the equation is the solution?  Absolutely not, they are there as guideline to solve certain problem or offensive-defensive solution.  One must study the Mae and understand it by breaking the Mae down to simple form or Sneet – techniques whether offensive or defensive.  One Mae can be breaking down to many techniques.

• Mae – Core foundation techniques that consists offensive move and defensive tactic
• Boran – Khmer word translated as ancient, normally acient Khmer or culture
• Leay Samiy – usually referred to a mix ancient style and modern style

The hands-to-hands combatant also calls "Prodal Boran" or "Mae Kun Boran" and it techniques are deadly.  Its stands are low and the techniques flow like water, the style known as Sro Ngair Pane, developed during the king Jayavarman VII.  Conceptually each of the opponent attacks such as punch, elbow, kick, or knee, generally created opening for counter attacks or “death spots,” the ancient Khmer calls it “BOMBAK SNEET” or "MAE BOMBAK."  Kbach Kun Boran Khmer forms the original of MAE BORAN as follows:  12 MAE SAWM, 10 MAE KJOL, MAE WAI, and MAE BOMBAK. 

Here are the orignal name of the MAE KUN BORAN

(credited Kirihingsa)