Krabi Krabong- Thai martial weapons mastery
Krabi Krabong is an ancient system of weapons mastery in South-east Asia going back hundreds of years. The name roughly translates to 'Sword and Staff', the original primary weapons of the system, although it now incorporates several beyond this. Much has been lost over time, and in the modern era of sporting martial combat it continues to fade into obscurity outside of martial buddhist, hindu and taoist temples in Thailand and the surrounding countries.
What is Krabi Krabong?
Krabi Krabong is sometimes regarded as the sister combat system of muay boran as the two were taught alongside each other in Siamese antiquity, though its actual origins have been lost thanks to the destruction of records amidst the ongoing warfare between Siam and Burma. What is known today outside of the mainstream of practice has been gleaned from tangential sources, such as traditional family dances and murals.
Krabi is the name of the single edged sword commonly associated with the practice of this martial system. Training and practice typically involve wielding it either in pairs, or single with a shield. In ancient times, the shields were made of rhino hide however with the progress of society and technology this did not remain so as they've been made of various materials ranging from wood to bronze.
Krabong refers to the staff, and practice involves training either with the common blunt staff ubiquitous throughout the world or with a more lethal blade tipped version. Staff forms vary as wildly as unarmed combat forms as it is the most readily available weapon in any situation although there are standard forms recognized throughout as well. From ancient Europe to Japan, all martial arts recognize the value of knowing how to efficiently and effectively swing a long stick.
A host of other weapons are traditionally recognized within this system of weapons mastery. Many of these are derived from agricultural implements, some from simple innovation of commonly available items. Mai sok clubs are a unique Siamese innovation that became a Krabi Krabong mainstay, involving a thick section of wood extending from just past the knuckles and back along the forearms to just past the elbow and with a pair of handles. Sometimes there's a strap to secure it to the arm, generally they are wielded in matching pairs. Krabi krabong curriculums may also include kris knives, spears, and cudgels.
While many scholars claim that Thai martial arts are Chinese in origin, when observing Krabi Krabong this view becomes somewhat spurrious. It's undeniable that Chinese heritage is to be found throughout eastern and south eastern Asia, but within the weapons mastery form of Krabi Krabong the influences of India and the Khmer become far more apparent. In particular, the swordsmanship harkens to ancient India, and the preferred weapons harken to Vietnam and ancient Java. Combined together, the martial heritage of Thailand is quite unique as a historic melting pot.
Krabi Krabong, the Mahouts, and the Royal Guard
Krabi Krabong was of special importance within the Siamese, and later Thai, militaries for two groups in particular. The mahouts were the elephant trainers and handlers, and the royal guard had special combat training for obvious reasons. Elephants are considered sacred in Siamese/Thai culture, and those who lived with them were considered to have certain obligations.
Old elephant warfare was surprisingly complex. There are traditions of archery practiced to this day by reenactors involving elephant mounted archery, the skill necessary to be successful from a constantly moving mount is considerable. Besides this, the mounted soldier needed to not only be able to fight from the elephant but be successful if dismounted as well.
The weakness of elephants is their joints. Even the smaller breeds are large, and while their forward momentum is incredible their legs are vulnerable from the sides and rear. For this reason, when possible there were four special fighters tasked to each elephant to guard each of those legs and secure the forward advance against the enemy. This was considered a duty of honor in those days.
The Royal Guard often performed in this role as royal family members typically rode into battle on family elephants. From their high positions, they could orchestrate the battle and see much of what was going on so in their case it was usually more strategic than actually martial though there have been notable exceptions. With the advent of gunpowder and its proliferation in the 19th century, the importance of this began to fade as elephants became mobile artillery platforms.
Notable Practitioners From History
King Naresuan the Great
Perhaps the most renowned practitioner of the art in history, this sixteenth century royal of Ayutthaya grew up a hostage of the Burmese. He was taken there after their king captured the capital, and raised by the Burmese royal family to ensure the loyalty of his father as a vassal. After a revealed treachery by the Burmese King, King Hongsawadi, then-Prince Naresuan declared Siamese independence and marched his army towards Ayutthaya where he enforced said declaration. After routing numerous Burmese armies and killing their crown prince in single combat, he brought Ayotthaya to regional prominence. To this day, he is a national hero of Thailand. He is perhaps best remembered annually on January 18th, commemorating his victorious elephant duel against the prince of Burma in 1591. January 18th is Royal Thai Armed Forces Day.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Naresuan
http://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Historical_Sites_MemorialNaresuan.html
King Rama the First
Prior to his ascension to royalty, his name was Phutthayotfa Chulalok of the Siamese House of Chakri. His reputation began putting down rebellions against the previous king Taksin. He is perhaps best known as the founder of Rattanakosin, which later became Bangkok. This eighteenth century monarch was a brilliant strategist, for which he is best known as a person. This man exemplified this ability in several campaigns both offensively and defensively against the Burmese. That his accomplishments of this nature came during some the region's darkest days, including a massacre of over one million souls by the Burmese in Ayotthaya City, is the primary reason for his recognition here. His ascension to royalty is surrounded with legend, King Taksin having become something of a Thai Caligula. A popular story has it that Taksin was wrapped in velvet and beaten to death so as to avoid spilling royal blood. Whatever the truth of the circumstances, it is from this man going forward that the present day Thai Royalty claims descent.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rama-I
http://www.thailandsworld.com/en/thai-people/chao-phraya-chakri-rama-1/index.cfm
Phraya Pichai Dabhak
Pichai of the Broken Sword was a friend of Rama the first, the two having served together under Taksin to whom he was deeply devoted. He was previously known as Joi and then Thongdee after an uncertain incident, before a certain event earned him fame. He is remembered for being perhaps the greatest swordsman alive at that time as well as one of the finest boxers. At the battle of Pichai in 1773, he famously fought with a sword in each hand against the Burmese until one of his blades broke in half, then kept on fighting until the battle was won thus earning him his moniker Broken Sword. When King Taksin was executed, legend has it that his devotion to his king was such that he requested to follow his king into the next life.
http://uttaradit.go.th/utteng/web/Pichai.php
Skip to three mins in to get to the sparring if you aren't interested in a Krabi Krabong Wai Kru Ram.
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