Bokator
Bokator Khmer, or simply Bokator, is an ancient Khmer martial art and is the predessesor of Pradal Serey, and Muay Thai. Depicted in bas reliefs at Angkor Wat, Bokator was the close quarter combat system used by the ancient Angkor army. Bokator bears much of the responsibility for Cambodia's domination during the Angkorean era. It is believed that Jayavarman VII, the illustrious ruler of the Khmer Empire, was a practitioner of Bokator. Unlike Pradal Serey or Muay Thai, which are competition sports, Bokator was designed as a weapon of war to be used specifically against the invaders from Siam.
A brutal variant of sport kickboxing, Bokator weaves together Cambodia's ancient religious traditions of Buddhism and Brahmanism with practical self defense and lethal techniques. Like Chinese Kung Fu, Bokator has various styles that teach students to emulate the fighting of a particular animal. Bokator fighters, called yuthkhun, wrap kramas around their waists, heads, and fists - a different color krama signifying the skill level of the fighter, with white being the lowest and green the most advanced. The five "white krama" animal forms are monkey king, lion, elephant, apsara and crocodile. The "green krama" forms are duck, crab, horse, bird and dragon.
Bokator utilizes the body holistically as a weapon. All appendages of the body, the hands, elbows, knees, shins, feet, and even fingers, hips, and shoulders can be used to debilitate an opponent. Basic techniques include clinching, grappling, striking, joint locks, and some elements of ground fighting are also present.
Because of it's visually simular style, Bokator is commonly misattributed as modern day kickboxing. Bokator is based on animal styles while Pradal Serey is a more simplified freestyle fighting system not limited to animal forms.
Modern Decline and Revival
Sam Kim Saen is largely credited with reviving Bokator Khmer and is often referred to as the father of modern Bokator in Cambodia.
During the Pol Pot regime (1975-1979) those who practiced traditional arts were either systematically exterminated by the Khmer Rouge or fled as refugees. Sam Kim Sean, a Bokator disciple at the time, was forced into hiding to avoid execution. After the regime ended and the Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia began, martial arts were completely outlawed. Sam Kim Sean moved to Houston, Texas and studied Hapkido and taught the art to American students for a few years. After visiting Cambodia in the early 90s, he made the decision to move back to Phnom Penh in 1995. In 2001, Sam began teaching Bokator to local youth in the hopes of bringing all of the remaining living masters together, he began travelling the country, seeking out Bokator krus, or instructors, who had survived the regime. The few men he found were old and weary of 30 years of oppression many were afraid to teach the art openly. After much persuasion and with government approval, the former masters relented, and Sam effectively reintroduced Bokator to the Cambodian people.
The first ever National Bokator competition was be held in Phnom Penh at the Olympic Stadium, on September 26 through the 29, 2006. The competition comprised of 20 krus leading teams from 9 provinces.
Animal Styles
White Krama
- Monkey King (sdach swaa)
- Lion (thao)
- Elephant (domrei)
- Apsara (apsara)
- Crocodile (krapeau)
Green Krama