Fhan Dap is a martial art combining some basic movements of Muay Lao and swordsmanship techniques. It was created to worship and pay respect to Lao people’s folk religion and Buddhism. It is a ritual performance art based on the belief that practitioners are safe from the sword with their faith in the religions. Practitioners perform the art in tribes and villages being paid about 300-400 USD per performance. The performance consists of 6 practitioners taking place indoors or outside. During the performance, they move in a circle very softly and flexibly showing movements as if they cut their own necks, tongues, arms and legs. They also slash palm trees placed on others’ bodies. This is to demonstrate there is no danger caused from the sword, showing their faith in the folk religion and Buddhism that protect them. Different teams stemming from the schools of the creator and his inheritors perform across the country. Yet the number of teams is not known exactly

Fhan Dap was created by Ang born in 1892 who passed the martial art to Mai, Boung Tiane, and Seng Malay. The second and third inheritor was Seng Malay and his son, Pey Vilay. Fhan Dap is practised and transmitted by word of mouth from masters to apprentices without established education systems, institutions, and support from the government

- Ok, G., Choi, S. K., Park, C, Park, K. H. & Kim, T. Y. (2018). “Research into martial arts in five Asian countries (Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia) – Final report (submitted to ICM)”.