Kun Khmer Boran History

The Traditional Khmer (Cambodian) Martial Arts is called "Kbach Kun Khmer Boran Khmer" and short as the Khmer dictionary title “Dictionnaire Cambodgien” published 1967-1968, "Kun Khmer", which represents for all arts Boran - ancient and Sa'mai - modern. Kun Khmer derived from the word "Kbach Kun Boran Khmer," which describes all style of Khmer ancient arts of

Armed Art of "Kun Awudth"
Un-armed combatant arts of "Kun Pradal"
Grappling and wrestling arts of "Kun Jra'barb".

The Khmer armed arts of Kun Awudth and Khmer Grappling arts of Kun Jr'barb still preserves as Boran method. But for un-arm combatant arts of Kun Pradal, has revolutionized to three periods of

Boran - ancient style
Boran Leay Sa'Mai - modern mix with ancient style
Sa'Mai - modern style of Kun Khmer free style fighting "Pradal Serey"

Archaeological sites found in Cambodia have suggested that a sophisticated martial arts system traced back over 2000 years, pre-Ankorean period (see history).

The Development of Kun Khmer

“Kmer Jet Chea" but "Khmer Puhj Nak Jambang” translated "Khmer gentle but a heart of a warrior from birth." The Khmer will fight to the death and stands tall as DEUM TNORT (the Palm Tree of Cambodia), expression of the Khmer people, or Phnom, which era historian calls Nokor Phnom (hill).

Kun Khmer revolutionized through two majors of Khmer religion eras: Chee (the Khmer epics of Kru Pram-5 elements of Mae Ba Ta Preah Joa for example Don_Chee, Ta_Chee, or Khmer temples name Baku, Ta Prum, Preah Khan etc...) and Hinduism.

Deum Tnort - the ancient Khmer palm tree

Such claims can be found in the martial art itself of Pithi Sampeah Kru/Twai Kru or Kun Kru, the preflight rituals and bout, giving respect to the four elements or kru, which is the origin of Mon-Khmer called religion called Chee.

The ancient of Kbach Kun Boran based on the four elements of earth, water, winds, and fire. As the first Khmer hunted, using spears, bows and arrows, the Mae Kun (hand-and-combat forms) were invented for self-defend. The Mae translates as foundation or core techniques mainly for defends, probably about first century A.D. "long even before Khmer were wearing any cloth," said KRU, Ny Euer.

“Kbach” is method or way of. “Kun” is martial art. “Boran” is a Khmer word translated as ancient. It is essential in order to acknowledge the root of Kback Kun Boran Khmer, is to establish an understanding of Khmer’s background, arts and cultures, her people, literature and her rich historical monument spreads all over South East Asia and the ancient Angkorean military system as it carved in the wall of Angkors, pre-date the today Khmer Pradal Serey or the Thai Boxing (aka Muay Thai).

Khmer numbers system - Lekh Khmer

Muoy or Muay
Pir or Bir
Bei or Pi
Buun or Puan
Pram or Pram

Below historical facts and prove of the ancient Khmer warrior, traced on the bas-relief for the Khmer and our ancient Angkor’s monument as living proof to the world communities of the ancient Angkorean culture and heritage. When one fighter defeated another fighter, the fan would scream "Nak Pradal Lekh Muay!"

Bayon bas-relief of the Khmer warriors

Bas-relief illustrated the bout for the king. During the Ancient Angorian era, the winner well rewarded as general, tribal or regional leaders to control the new acquired land mass, but loser rewarded with coffin. Techniques illustrated of the used of Jro' Barb (join-lock wrestling at the far right), Sro' Ngae Pen (at the far left)Kbach Lompang (staff at the center)

This is Khmer Sanskrit from the monuments wall of ancient temple in Siam Reap, Cambodia. This written survive the many civil wars has been major sources of information about the Khmer Kingdom of Khmer Empire about daily life of Khmer during that era.

(Credit Krihingsa)