Kun Khmer Warrior
kirihing
Khmer Warrior legendary of Nak Ta Dambang Dek statue in Battambang province
Kbach Kun Boran Khmer originate name is "L’Bokatao" or "L’Bokator" is a complete art and already a powerful art. At first the founder, Lok Kru Sakikori named the art as Lokusskor about 257 A.D. About the 537 A.D. Lok Kru Yaksakri name is 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. If I am not mistaken, Sra Ngair Pan is the last found and invention of the Khmer martial art during King Jayavarman VII.
Base on the time line and first Khmer language usage during that time was Sanskrit hence the written on the ancient monuments wall. The current used of word “Bokator or Bokatao” is not accurate. To understand, one must know the Khmer language. Let analyze the word further, if you spell “bok and tao” which sound of Bok-tao which mean smash lion. However, that not a correct pronunciation and the origin of the word. The original is L'Bokatao, and it pronouns L’Bok_Kak_ Tao” found around 3rd 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) 3rd 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
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
This is Jomho Tvear - Doors system
Image (Sok 2008)
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.
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
Keng Vansak (2007) Interview with Radio Free Asia, "Khmer."
Pan, Kang 1971 Kbuon Veta Mun. 1st Ed. Boran Vichea.
Institute Boudhaique 1967 Dinctionnaire Cambodgien. 5th Ed. Edition De L’Institute Bouddhique.
Sok, Meas (2008) Kbach Kun L'Bokatao Khmer.
http://www.kohsantepheapdaily.com.kh/khmerbox.htm [view 2008]
Lo, Lawrence (1996) Khmer.
http://www.ancientscripts.com/khmer.html [viewed 02/17/2009].
Dal/Mat - punch techniques
Waei Kaeng Boatt – elbows techniques
Laeng Chongkung – knees techniques
Toat Smaong Jerng – shin techniques
Teak - thrust kick
Kun Kru or "Twai Kru" not "Wai Kru". The translation of language is Twai Kru is sacred ritual dance bowing or paying respect or honoring your master, not so much to your current Kru but to the creator of the art.
Wai or Waei Kru on the other hand in Khmer language, it translates as to hit the Kru, a very dishonoring or disgrace your Kru. Through out of our martial art, there were many incidents that a student would challenge his Kru and beat his Kru, hint a hidden secret of techniques would not be taught until there is trust between Kru and Sess (student).
Kru Ny Euer, started training Kbach Kun Boran Khmer 1956 and started teaching 1963. Kru Ny was born Kropeur village, East of Watt Onderk, Battambang province. Kru Ny trained with Kru Tah Oum Phaiy at Sala Kun Phnom Koy, West of Phnom Kropeur, historically a place to prepare warriors for battle and there was Mae Turp, old ancient warrior by the name of Ta Koy. Lok Kru Ta Oum Phaiy lived in the North of Phnom Sompoev. According to kru Ny, the original Mae Boran probably was taught by the an old warrior and passed down to Kru Ta Oum Phaiy. Kru Ny survived the Khmer Rouge and currently live in Stockton, California.
KBACH KUN BORAN KHMER is flawless. The art is a completed fighting system, from hands-to-hands combat to weapons such as Dombong Klaiy (short staffs), Dombang-Lompang (spear staff), and Dao (sword), to Jro Bab - ground attack, which all can be found on the stone walls of the ancient monuments.
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
This MAE KUN BORAN is a foundation. Conceptually, this MAE is a training method which emphasis the offensive and defensive techniques level targets from head to toes. The practice combines with the giving practical application with partner and one must practice daily.
Khmer martial arts instructor Thach Thanh performs a style of MAE KUN SVA KESS KRO JORK in Tra Vinh (original name Preah Trapeng Province)
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.
KRU NY demonstrated the SNEET KUN L'BOKATAO Wai Kheing Boatt Bombaak Jearng, Stockton CA, 2006
KRU Louch Ton survived the Khmer Rouge regime and currently is teaching the Door fighting system of Boran Leay Samiy to new generation at the West Gate, Columbus Ohio. Kru Louch Ton is grand son of Kru Ta Hang from Khom Ta Mearn, Battambang province. KRU Louch Ton fought with Chear Sarak, KO at round 1 and Tam Sam, KO at 30 second.
The Boran Leay Samiy emphasis of Twear–door system was designed to conceptually defensive tactic to prevent the offensive attack from the opponent. Twear 4 for inside, Twear 6 outside, Twear 8 simultaneously changing direction for multiple defends and Twear 12 can be used for in a fake step in but change direction to find an opening. Twear 3 and Twear 5 are for defend or attack from inside the opponent, we calls it “Twear Pee Kom Nurt” – natural doors which you have these 3 and 5 from birth. For example when you walk by making steps forward, you are in Twear 3. When you are making steps forward and turn around, you are in Twear 5.
Sonny Phaiphanya, Vannak Nhong, KRU Sue Lok
Kirihingsa Kbach Kun Boran Leay Samiy (Mixes of BORAN and Pradal Serey) Columbus Ohio at Watt Wattanaram, Khmer New Year 2006
SNEET KUN PRADAL SEREY (Khmer free-style Boxing) is the name of many centuries’ oldest kickboxing and it is a national sport of Cambodia. Sneet Kun Pradal Serey evolved from the original 12 MAE KUN BORAN of Kbach Kun Boran Khmer calls SNEET BOMBAK (break down techniques). Today version of the Sneet Kun Pradal Serey breaks down to fives foundation elements which consist of, Dal-punches, Kaeng-elbows, Tiet Smoang-shin kicks, Chunggong Boat-bending knees and Jro Bab-clinch. Each of these five core techniques break down to different variation as follows.
Jro Bab - clinch is also used to wear down the opponent as found in the Kbach Kun Khmer Boran, but conceptually used to trick the opponent for easy target for elbows or knee.
Pradal means fight and Serey means free, Kun means martial art, no MAE (core techniques) or TVEAR (door) just SNEET - techniques; in short everything goes. Many of its students are all over of the South East Asian and now making it way to United States, Europe and Australia by the Khmer former Pradal Serey fighters or students. Modern Sneet Pradal Serey differs from the original ancient angkorian art of Kbach Kun Boran Khmer. The techniques and moves of the art change to support the sport events, rules and regulation.
Sneet Kun Pradal Serey is now being calls “Kun Khmer,” word cut down from Kbach Kun Boran Khmer by a group of Australia (www.kunkhmer.org) to make it easy for the Western and world community. It is a spectacular sport of the South East Asia, and its events very popular, much like football, basketball or Soccer in the west. Sneet Kun Pradal Serey is a way of life in the South East Asia, everyone possess at lease a few SNEET for self-defends. It is very similar to Muay Thai in Thailand, Tomoi in Malaysia, Muay Lao in Laos, and Lethwei in Myanmar. Compared to the Thai counterpart, the Khmer Sneet Kun Pradal Serey version tends to emphasize more elusive and shifty fighting stances. The Khmer version also tends to utilize more elbow techniques than any other in the regions. The Khmer elbows blows techniques are more victories than any other based technique.
A Pradal Serey bout prior to the European expansion, which boxing ring was implemented (Wikipedia 2008)
Pradal Serey Bout with boxing ring implemented (Leisure 2008)
Eh Puthong the Khmer angkorian warrior, the world best bout vs. the Muay Thai fighter, Faisal Zakariya in Phnom Penh 2003
Images (Ilguerriero 2009)
Kru Oumry Ban, Sala Kun Khmer Kickboxing, Long Beach, CAKRU Oumry Ban (Pradal Serey) a founder of UKKA-United Khmer Kickboxing Association
Bantam Weight National Champion from 1970 to 1975
First pro fight at the age of 14 with a KO win
Total Bouts 309
278 Wins
31 losses
Of 309 bouts, 200 were KO
223 W. Anaheim Street
As a former National Champion, Kru Oumry Ban produces a lot champions. His signature and legacy are on the wall of his club Sala Kun Khmer Kickboxing in Long Beach 
Bong Moa
Kru and Marom May
Training with Kru Oumry Ban, Sala Kun Khmer Kickboxing (Long Beach, CA 2007)
Sala Kun Khmer Kickboxing, Long Beach Parade 2008
Sneet Kun Pradal Serey is making it way to the world community. Today Sneet Kun Pradal Serey is being taught in Cambodia, United States, Australia, Canada, and Europe. In the United Stats private clubs can be found through out as well as some of the Universities as a member of the Sport Club, in attempted to help push the marketing caliber to the world.
Kru Oumry Ban, a former Khmer kickboxing champion, a founder of United Khmer Kickboxing Association, survived the Khmer Rouge and now is teaching the Sneet Kun Pradal Serey in Long Beach California. He has produced a lot of good armature and professional fighters. In addition, his students have help expanding the Sneet Kun Pradal Serey and spreading his legacy and Khmer culture. In addition, Khmer martial was featured on the History Channel’s and titled as “Human Weapon.”
Marom May - from Kru Oumry Sala Kun Khmer Kickboxing Center,
Long Beach California, US
Marom May in action, Khmer calls Tiet Smoang Kabb Trolac, one of Kru Oumry specialty technique
Sok K. Bunchhu, Fighter name: Sing Damn - black panther
Fighting Record
Bunchhu in action - Conggung Huoh
Tiet Smaong Phkabb Chann
Sneet Kun Pradal Serey Khmer is also making a strong comeback in Cambodia. Sneet Kun Pradal Serey today is no long isolated or kept in secret but it is being taught to the world. There are clubs opened up for local students as well as foreign in Cambodia. There are weekly matches televise live for CTN, TV 5 or Bayon TV and have open up for international competition. The show can be seen worldwide on the Globcast broadcast network. Top Pradal Serey former during the Kru Oumry Ban era, such as Chhit Sarim, Meas Sokry, and Treung Sossay, survived the Khmer Rouge, now a Kru in Cambodia, also produces a lot of champions fighters such as
Kun Khmer Pradal Serey is a heart and soul of the Khmer people. Someday we will unify all Kun Khmer as one much like King Jayavaraman II unified the Chenla of the land and Chenla of the Sea and formed the Khmer Empire.
Eh Phuthong, Cambodia
Chey Kosol, Cambodia
Noun Suriya, Cambodia
Ot Puthong, Cambodia
Pum Saraiy, Cambodia
Bird Kam, Cambodia
Kun Khmer Warrior
kirihing
