THE MUAY THAI MONGKONG & TRADITION The Mongkong is a traditional headpiece circlet worn by Muay Thai fighters when they enter the ring, and an intregal part of the Muay Thai culture. Each gym or camp has a Mongkong that represents the spirit and strength of the gym and it’s master instructor. It is warn on the head to bring prosperity and good fortune while warding away danger and injury. According to Thai tradition and beliefs, how the Mongkongs were made varied according to the practice of the master instructor. When Thailand was still named Siam, the belief was that the Siamese warriors tied a bandana-like cloth around their heads before engaging in battle. They would often chant Buddhist incantations like “Gam Baan Nak Muen” which meant “the clenched-fist weighing many thousands.” This began the tradition of the master instructors making and passing on a Mongkong to his student. Muay Thai fighters would often chant the incantation while getting a tattoo as it was believed to bring good fortune and honorable victories. Legends of the Mongkong were passed down from generation to generation, telling of the many ways to bless a Mongkong with supernatural powers, like invulnerability. They also told of a snake forming a circlet while eating it’s tail; it would be dried and have incantations cast upon it by Buddhist Monks. Other legends tell of the bones of a fighter’s ancestors being woven into the threads of the Mongkong as a spiritual blessing. Each Mongkong is specially hand-made, symbolizing the fighter’s spirit and respect for his gym, teacher (Kroo), sport (Muay Thai) and country. The Tiger Muay Thai Mongkong is blessed by Buddhist monks to protect the fighters who wear it into the ring. wai-kruThe Mongkong is worn a fighter enters the ring and while he performs the “Wai Kroo.” It is a symbolic dance used to show respect for the fighter’s teacher, the sport and art of Muay Thai, and the Kingdom of Thailand. Upon finishing the “Wai Kroo” the fighter returns to his corner and a prayer is whispered between he and his second as the Mongkong is removed before the fight. It is a Thai tradition for Muay Thai fighters to bring the Mongkong to a temple before wearing it in the ring. During the ceremony the Mongkong is blessed and the fighter prays with the Buddhist monks, allowing them to remove bad omens or any spirits that could have a negative impact on their fight. They also pray for strength of spirit and purity to overcome their opponent in an honorable match. The monk says a series of prayers as the fighter is kneeled before him with the Mongkong listening quietly and intently. The ceremony brings the Mongkong and fighter together, joined by the spirit of the gym and the fighter representing it in a Muay Thai fight. To make merit, the fighter will light candles and incense and make an offering to the Buddha with gifts such as flowers. The smoke of the incense cleanses the spirit of each fighter to prepare them for battle. The fighter will quietly pray for some time. Some will ask for strength and invulnerability and others for purity and protection. Each fighter must reflect on what is important to them and make a connection that coincides with their beliefs in the sport, religion, country and gym. The fighter represents his training camp and gym. He has the ability to bring respect and honor to it if he fights valiantly, courageously, and honorably. A gym and it’s fighters can lose face if a fighter is unprepared, disrespectful or dishonorable in the ring. At Tiger Muay Thai & MMA Phuket we believe in tradition and hold the Buddhist elements that are a part of Muay Thai in high regard. Before a fighter can wear the gym Mongkong and represent the camp in a Muay Thai fight, he/she must take part in the Mongkong ceremony at Wat Chalong, be blessed by the monks and make merit. The temple blessing and wearing of the Mongkong shows the students humility and respect for his/her teachers, the Kingdom of Thailand and Muay Thai as a sport.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 07:07:16 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015