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ABOUT BANDO / THAING or BURMESE BOXING
Inside Martial Arts episode on Burmese Boxing and AFS
Despite the Chinese influences, Bando is credited
as a style of armed and unarmed combat native to Burma. It is an
assimilation of Karate-like striking and kicking techniques, Judo-like
throwing techniques, swordplay and fighting with knives, spears
and sticks.
There are numerous interpretations of the term Bando, and different linguistic
and ethnic groups hold to diverse translations. It is generally interpreted
in three ways:
"way of discipline"
"systems of self-defense"
"art of fighting or combat"
Some Bando groups have combined all three translations in one, making it similar
to the Japanese term Budo (stop conflict), the Chinese word Wu Shu (war art),
or the English terms military arts or martial arts. Some etymologists believe
the term Bando derives from Chinese, while others claim Indian or even Tibetan
origins. Bando is also called "Thaing."
There are many styles of Bando, but most follow basic instructional patterns.
The art emphasizes initial withdrawal followed by an attack outside the opponent's
reach. All parts of the body are employed in these attacks, and once the initial
technique is delivered, grappling and locking techniques are used. Techniques
are learned first through formal exercises in some systems and only later through
sparring.
When the Japanese invaded Burma in 1942, they encouraged the practice and proliferation
of Bando and influenced it by exchanging techniques from Judo, Jujutsu, and
Aikido. After World War II, Bando was furthered through a large number of competitions.
Bando was introduced in the U.S. by Dr. Maung Gyi, a college professor who
began teaching the art on April 3, 1960, in Washington, D.C. Later, Bando classes
were formally conducted at American University until the fall of 1966. Dr.
Gyi organized the American Bando Association on June 15, 1968, at Ohio University.
Members present at this initiation ceremony took a blood oath.
The International Bando Association was officially formed on March 9, 1946,
by U Ba Than, then director of physical education and athletics for the Union
of Burma. The IBA was organized in honor of those servicemen who fought and
died in the China-Burma-India theater of World War II.
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