Learn Muay Thai: Wai khru ram muay

Wai khru ram muay (Thai: ไหว้ครูรำมวย) is an action of respect in Thai culture that is performed by participants in Thai fighting competitions. Wai is an action of Thais to show respect to others by putting the hands together like in prayer. Similar practices are as in pre-contemporary China where they place the left hand over the right fist or as in Japan where they bow. Khru means teacher. Ram means dance in the old Thai traditional style. Muay means boxing. Usually Thais prefer to call it short "Ram Muay" or "Wai Khru". Ram Muay is the way to show respect to the teachers and the trainers. Also, in past Muay-Thai was usually fought in front of the king, so Ram Muay was also to apologize to the King for the brutality in fighting.

Ram Muay (rum - muay) and Wai Khru (why - kru) are pre-match Muay Thai spiritual ceremonies, performed at the beginning of a Muay Thai martial arts match. The ceremony seals off the ring from outside influences, pays homage to gods, parents, teachers, loved ones, king and country. The rituals are passed down from teacher to student.

The fighter first performs the Wai Khru, circling the ring three times before kneeling and bowing three times as a sign of respect to god and man. He also bows to Buddha to ask for protection for himself and his opponent and for an honourable fight.

The fighter then performs the Ram Muay, whose simple movements demonstrate a fighter's control and style. Each fighter performs the Ram Muay on each side of the ring to demonstrate his prowess to the audience. The Ram Muay is a personal ritual, ranging from the very complex to the very simple, and often contains clues about who trained the fighter and where the fighter is from.

The practitioner may wear a headband called a Mong Kon and armbands known as Pra Jiad during the ceremony, and the Ram Muay may be accompanied by music.

Reference: Wai khru ram muay. (2006, April 30). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 08:57, June 23, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wai_khru_ram_muay&oldid=50955956.