Bando Thaing

Bando is a defensive style of thaing focusing on animal-based techniques. The earliest meanings of the word were self-discipline, self-development and self-improvement. Later, it came to mean self-protection or self-defense. Bando is sometimes mistakenly used as a generic word for all Burmese martial arts but it is actually just one system. Burmese martial arts, collectively called thaing, refers to the fighting styles created in Myanmar. Teachers of these methods are addressed as saya. There are several main branches, including:

• • • • bando (animalistic techniques)

      • banshay (weapon-based style)

      • lethwei (kickboxing)

      • naban (wrestling)

      • nan twin thaing (royal palace style)

      • neganadai thaing (snake style)

      • pongyi thaing (monk style)

      • pyompya thaing (hard-soft style)

      • Shan thaing (Shan regional style).

Forms and techniques in bando are based on the movements of animals, probably through the influence of animal styles from India and China. Such routines include the boar, bull, cobra, leopard (or panther), monkey, python, scorpion, tiger and viper. The moves in each pattern are characterised by the animal which they imitate. Thus the python form includes crushing, strangling and gripping moves, the tiger form involves clawing and ripping, the viper form stresses flexibility while the deer form develops alertness. Some masters teach the black panther style as a combination of all the other animal forms.

Animal form Characteristic

Boar Rushing attacks, especially with the elbows and knees

Bull Charging strikes and tackling

Cobra Attacks to the upper vital points

Deer Short leaps used to jump away from an attacker

Eagle Striking and blocking with both hands

Monkey Agile movements

Heron Fast arm movements and short jumps

Leopard Circling around, leaping at and tearing at opponents

Python Chokes and locks

Scorpion Pinching and seizing nerve centres

Tiger Clawing attacks

Viper Attacks to the lower vital points

Black panther Taught by some teachers as a combination of all the animal forms

Bando generally leaves the initiative to the opponent and relies heavily on countering maneuvers. When a bando exponent is attacked, they first withdraw and then begin the counter-attack. "Middle-style bando" is perceptive/responsive. Once the threat has been evaluated it is possible to respond with an appropriate counter, so too is destroying the opponent's weapon. If the adversary's hand or foot is broken for example, the conflict is effectively ended. Bando practitioners generally aim for the body but the head, shoulder, elbow, knee, and foot are all used for offensive purposes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bando