 Bokator demonstration | |
| Also known as | Kun L'Bokator |
|---|---|
| Focus | Striking, grappling, wrestling, ground fighting,[1] weaponry |
| Hardness | Full-contact |
| Country of origin | Cambodia |
| Famous practitioners | San Kim Sean (Grandmaster), Tharoth Sam, Nang Sovan, Chan Rothana |
| Descendant arts | Kun Khmer[2] |
| Kun L'Bokator, traditional martial arts in Cambodia | |
|---|---|
| Country | Cambodia |
| Domains | Martial arts |
| Reference | [1] |
| Region | Asia and the Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 29 November 2022 (17th session) |
| List | Inscribed in 2022 (17.COM) on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
 | |
Bokator (Khmer: ល្បុក្កតោ, lbŏkkâtaô [lɓokatao]) or Kun L'bokator (គុនល្បុក្កតោ, kun lbŏkkâtaô [kun lɓokatao], lit. 'the art of pounding the lion') is an ancient Cambodian battlefield martial art. It is one of the oldest fighting systems existing in the world[3] and is recognised as intangible cultural heritage by the UNESCO.[4]
Oral tradition indicates that Bokator (or an early form thereof) was the close-quarter combat system used by the ancient Cambodian armies before the founding of Angkor. The martial art encompasses hand-to-hand, wrestling and weapon techniques.[5]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
taipeitimeswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Graceffo, Antonio. "Cambodian and Chinese Martial Arts Compared (English language paper)". Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ Sony, Ouch; Keeton-Olsen, Danielle (12 January 2021). "An Ancient Martial Art, Transformed by Time, War, Seeks Return to Prominence". Voice of America. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ "Browse the Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Register of good safeguarding practices".
- ^ "West Valley resident continues Cambodian martial arts tradition". West Valley City Journal. 5 January 2024.
Kim says it combines the key elements of a variety of forms of the discipline. "We've got empty-hand forms, animal forms (mimicking an attacking animal), grappling, wrestling," he said. It also incorporates the use of hand-to-hand combat and weapons. "Basically, it's a complete system of ancient martial arts style," said Kim, a 2013 graduate of Hunter High School.