© ICM, 2019 |
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| General Information |
Bokator is a Cambodian martial art that allows attacks using almost all parts of the body – knee, elbow, hand, feet, and others. Weapons like bamboo sticks and spears are also used in many moves of bokator. The term translates as “pounding a lion”, which is related to a hero in a myth who defeated a lion with only a sword. Like many other martial arts, Bokator has moves based on the motion of animals like elephant, lion, monkey, etc. The art was designed to fight and win in real fighting, rather than to compete as a sport. Bokator fighters wear their kramas around the waist, a traditional colourful scarf signifying their skill level from white through green, blue, red, brown to black. |
| History/Development |
Many claim bokator originated from 12th century walls of Angkor Wat temple, yet there is no clear evidence about it.
Bokator Many bokator practitioners were targetedby the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, and the art was taught and practised secretly. Grand Master San Kim Sean, the father of modern bokator, survived the oppression and went to America where he taught bokator to Cambodians there. He returned to his homeland in 1992 and has been committed to revitalising the art “as culture, sport, entertainment and a way of life that the Khmer people can be proud of” (Sankimsean 2020). In 2004, Kim Sean established Cambodia Bokator Federation and Cambodia Bokator Academy approved by the government, which gave birth to many training centres nationally with growing popularity. Sean Kim’s journey to revive the art was presented in a documentary film, Surviving Bokator. |
Transmission
(Policies/institutions) |
Modern bokator led by San Kim Sean have 42 instructors and 3,170 students, teaching 9,750 moves of the art (Sankimsean 2020). |
| Relevant Organisations |
- Cambodia Kun Bokator Federation |
| Additional Materials |
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| References |
- https://blog.centurymartialarts.com/bokator-the-martial-art-fighting-its-way-back-from-the-dead
- https://sankimsean.com/
- https://theculturetrip.com/asia/cambodia/articles/bokator-the-history-of-traditional-khmer-martial-arts/ |
Note: many unofficial sources from blogs, newspapers, etc. | |
